Descriptive Paper

Heart of the City

Busch Stadium to all St. Louis Cardinals fans is considered hallowed ground. They will tell you it is “The Baseball Capital of The World.” St. Louis Cardinals baseball is a religion to most and Busch Stadium is their Cathedral. Construction of Busch Stadium III was completed in 2006 and came with a price tag of $411 million. It replaced Busch Memorial Stadium and Sportsman Park, which was renamed Busch Stadium when August “Gussie” Busch Jr. purchased the team in 1952. Surrounded by Eighth Street, Clark Street, Broadway Avenue, and Interstate 64 the stadium is located in the heart of downtown St. Louis.

A bird’s eye view of the stadium will show a circular steel structure that is held in place with dark red brick walls that squares off much of the perimeter only absent behind the outfield wall to allow view of downtown. As you approach the stadium you will be greeted at the gate by some of the greatest Cardinals of all time. Statues of Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, and others fill the sidewalk of Gate 3. Walking South towards Gate 2 you will step over bricks personalized with messages from Cardinal fans. Entering through gate 2 and up a flight of stairs with give the first look of the field. The green, perfectly manicured lawn that is the Cardinals base of operations. Three levels of red seats hug the white chalk outlines of the field. The stadium is electric and every time I go to a game I know I’m going to see something special. Whether it be a dazzling play, a Cardinal reaching a personal milestone, or even the return of former Cardinal now playing with a new team the fans give standing ovations that make your hair stand up and send tingles down your spine. Cardinal fans are truly the best in baseball.

There is truly not a bad seat in the house but my personal favorites are the seats behind home plate. These seats offer one of the best vistas you will find in any stadium. From these seats you not only have a great view of the game but...