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100 Things Cardinals Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
With 125 years of Cardinals history, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every St. Louis fan should know. It contains crucial information such as important dates, player nicknames, memorable moments, singular achievements, and signature calls. This guide to all things Cardinals covers the artifact on public display that pays homage to Busch Stadium, the story behind the infamous "kidnapping" of Flint Rhem, and the unforgettable acrobatics of "The Wizard" Ozzie Smith.
- GenresBaseballSportsNonfiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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August 31, 2011I laughed. I cried. I sent it to the editors, and they still published it.
November 7, 2018
This is a well-written and rosy look at St. Louis Cardinals history that, in reading from cover to cover has some of the languid feel of an afternoon at the ballpark with a diehard fan. The book begins outside the park with entry one, "Meet Me at Musial," and concludes with a tribute to Busch Memorial Stadium (#99) and a welcoming to the new Busch III (#100).
In between, entries are arranged in a loose thematic order, with stellar players generally being assigned the same numbered section as the number they wore on their jerseys when they played for the Cardinals: Stan Musial is covered in section six, Enos Slaughter in section 9, and so on (Ozzie Smith is in section 13, presumably for his thirteen golden gloves). The same arrangement holds true for World Series wins: the year the Cards won the Series is generally the same section in which Derrick Gould covers that Series.
In short, it’s a good, fun read, but there’s not all that much here that many fans would be unaware of (“Trinket City” was one for me). I’d highly recommend this book for a younger or newer fan, but would be a little less enthusiastic in recommending it for older fans.
In between, entries are arranged in a loose thematic order, with stellar players generally being assigned the same numbered section as the number they wore on their jerseys when they played for the Cardinals: Stan Musial is covered in section six, Enos Slaughter in section 9, and so on (Ozzie Smith is in section 13, presumably for his thirteen golden gloves). The same arrangement holds true for World Series wins: the year the Cards won the Series is generally the same section in which Derrick Gould covers that Series.
In short, it’s a good, fun read, but there’s not all that much here that many fans would be unaware of (“Trinket City” was one for me). I’d highly recommend this book for a younger or newer fan, but would be a little less enthusiastic in recommending it for older fans.
January 2, 2012
Not much new information for the true Cardinals fan, but a fun read!
July 8, 2025
This is an interesting and well researched look into my favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals. The stories within are inspiring and remind me of why I love the “Cardiac Cards”. There may be better teams out there, but not many have participated in as many exciting and unlikely games as the cards. Reading about the 2011 series brought me back to an October I’ll never forget. A great book for any cardinals fan.
February 12, 2020
A great review of STL Cardinal History. I learned lots!
December 12, 2013
The author of this book is Derrick Goold and his purpose in writing it is that he wants you to do a hundred things Cardinals fans should know and do before they die. Also in this book he wants you to know about famous cardinal players and tells you some of the history of Bush Stadium.
The theme of this book is about Cardinal baseball and what the fans should do. He talks a lot about famous players such as Ozzie Smith and Stan Musial. Also Derrick Goold restates that every cardinal fan should go the Bush Stadium to see the red birds play! A couple things that Cardinal fans should do before they die is attend opening day at Bush Stadium. I have not been but my dad has and he said “it’s a sight to see, it’s amazing to see that many people stacked into a stadium and have them be there for the same reason, its mind blowing. The main one is at least watch a full game on your T.V. You might not be their but it’s still really cool to see.
I believe that this story is informational and descriptive book, because the author is trying to describe why you should do the things that are explained and he also talks about the history of players and bush stadium from the time it was built till this day. The old stadium is no longer their and it’s a shame but the new one I feel has helped them. The new upgraded facilities have helped them train better and helped them win some more, but I can’t deny the old stadium was very good.
My opinion on the book is that it was very persuasive and knowledgeable about the St. Louis Cardinals. The thing I liked about the book the most was that he talked about Ozzie Smith a lot. Ozzie Smith is one of my all time favorite baseball players of the cardinals, watching him do flips on film just makes me like him even more. It show what he brought to the game and what he gave to the fans. I’m fifteen years old and he was way before my time but I even know him that should tell you the impact that he left. The one thing I did like about the book was how the author talked just mostly about baseball players and the history about bush stadium. I was hoping it was going to be more about what cardinals fans should do before they die, things to do at games, things to see, things to live, but I am still really glad I read it. There isn't a thing I would change about this book. My favorite rule was number five witch was “every cardinal fan should watch the game at Busch Stadium” the stadium is amazing and if you have been there you would agree its amazing to see at 2;30 watching the players play the original American game. Its stunning to watch. No it is not similar to any other book I’I've read.
The theme of this book is about Cardinal baseball and what the fans should do. He talks a lot about famous players such as Ozzie Smith and Stan Musial. Also Derrick Goold restates that every cardinal fan should go the Bush Stadium to see the red birds play! A couple things that Cardinal fans should do before they die is attend opening day at Bush Stadium. I have not been but my dad has and he said “it’s a sight to see, it’s amazing to see that many people stacked into a stadium and have them be there for the same reason, its mind blowing. The main one is at least watch a full game on your T.V. You might not be their but it’s still really cool to see.
I believe that this story is informational and descriptive book, because the author is trying to describe why you should do the things that are explained and he also talks about the history of players and bush stadium from the time it was built till this day. The old stadium is no longer their and it’s a shame but the new one I feel has helped them. The new upgraded facilities have helped them train better and helped them win some more, but I can’t deny the old stadium was very good.
My opinion on the book is that it was very persuasive and knowledgeable about the St. Louis Cardinals. The thing I liked about the book the most was that he talked about Ozzie Smith a lot. Ozzie Smith is one of my all time favorite baseball players of the cardinals, watching him do flips on film just makes me like him even more. It show what he brought to the game and what he gave to the fans. I’m fifteen years old and he was way before my time but I even know him that should tell you the impact that he left. The one thing I did like about the book was how the author talked just mostly about baseball players and the history about bush stadium. I was hoping it was going to be more about what cardinals fans should do before they die, things to do at games, things to see, things to live, but I am still really glad I read it. There isn't a thing I would change about this book. My favorite rule was number five witch was “every cardinal fan should watch the game at Busch Stadium” the stadium is amazing and if you have been there you would agree its amazing to see at 2;30 watching the players play the original American game. Its stunning to watch. No it is not similar to any other book I’I've read.
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October 13, 2011The author of this book is Derrick Goold and his purpose in writing it is that he wants you to do a hundred things Cardinals fans should kno and do before they die. Also in this book he wants you to know about famous cardinal players and tells you some of the history of Bush Stadium.
The theme of this book is about Cardinal baseball and what the fans should do. He talks alot about famous players such as Ozzie Smith and Stan Musial. Also Derrick Goold restates that every cardinal fan should go the Bush Stadium to see the RED BIRDS play! A couple things that Cardinal fans should do before they die is attend opening day at Bush Stadium and the main one is atleast watch a full game on your T.V.
I belive that this story is a description because the author is trying to describe why you should do the things that are explained and he also talks about the history of players and bush stadium from the time it was built till this day foward.
My opinion on the book is that it was very purswasive and knowlegable about the St. Louis Cardinals. The thing I liked about the book the most was that he talked about Ozzie Smith alot. Ozzie Smith is one of my all time favorite baseball players of the cardinals. The one thing i didnt like about the book was how the author talked just mostly about baseball players and the history about bush stadium. i was hoping it was going to be more about what cardinals fans should do before they die. If i could change the book i would change the 5th rule which was every cardinal fan should watch the game at busch stadium. Bush Stadium isnt even that great therfore there is nothing wrong with staying home and watching it. No it is not similar to any other book ive read because this is the first good cardinal book ive read plus i dont read baseball books mostly just football novels.
The theme of this book is about Cardinal baseball and what the fans should do. He talks alot about famous players such as Ozzie Smith and Stan Musial. Also Derrick Goold restates that every cardinal fan should go the Bush Stadium to see the RED BIRDS play! A couple things that Cardinal fans should do before they die is attend opening day at Bush Stadium and the main one is atleast watch a full game on your T.V.
I belive that this story is a description because the author is trying to describe why you should do the things that are explained and he also talks about the history of players and bush stadium from the time it was built till this day foward.
My opinion on the book is that it was very purswasive and knowlegable about the St. Louis Cardinals. The thing I liked about the book the most was that he talked about Ozzie Smith alot. Ozzie Smith is one of my all time favorite baseball players of the cardinals. The one thing i didnt like about the book was how the author talked just mostly about baseball players and the history about bush stadium. i was hoping it was going to be more about what cardinals fans should do before they die. If i could change the book i would change the 5th rule which was every cardinal fan should watch the game at busch stadium. Bush Stadium isnt even that great therfore there is nothing wrong with staying home and watching it. No it is not similar to any other book ive read because this is the first good cardinal book ive read plus i dont read baseball books mostly just football novels.
June 2, 2012
A good book with sporadic and scattered details about Cardinals history. I found myself fondly remembering stories I had put on the mental shelf, learning new stories from the past of my favorite team, and pulling out and playing the Cardinals 2006 World Series DVDs while I read. It was a joy to read this book, and I said out loud to my wife at one point, "Babe, I just love baseball."
The only reason I withheld my fifth star on this review was the seeming randomness of the structure. If the "100 Things" had been somewhat chronological, it would have appeased my OCD. If the numbers had always applied to retired numbers (1 and 6 are Musial? Ozzie is offended), that could have worked too. And if a checklist for things to do had accompanied the things to know... that would have been nice.
But those are all minor quibbles. The book tells exactly as the title states, 100 things Cardinals fans should know and do before they die, and it serves to remind Cardinals fans of why they're Cardinals fans in the first place. Your own personal memories are conjured up alongside the history of the storied franchise, and you're reminded that you're a fan of one of the greatest sports organizations on Earth. Worthy reading for any Cardinals fan.
The only reason I withheld my fifth star on this review was the seeming randomness of the structure. If the "100 Things" had been somewhat chronological, it would have appeased my OCD. If the numbers had always applied to retired numbers (1 and 6 are Musial? Ozzie is offended), that could have worked too. And if a checklist for things to do had accompanied the things to know... that would have been nice.
But those are all minor quibbles. The book tells exactly as the title states, 100 things Cardinals fans should know and do before they die, and it serves to remind Cardinals fans of why they're Cardinals fans in the first place. Your own personal memories are conjured up alongside the history of the storied franchise, and you're reminded that you're a fan of one of the greatest sports organizations on Earth. Worthy reading for any Cardinals fan.
June 26, 2012
A good read, but a poorly made book. The first 114 pages came unattached from the spine and fell out within my first day of reading it.
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November 26, 2013Required reading for any self-respecting Cardinals fan. I loved every page.
June 7, 2020
I Loved Learning About The History Of The St. Louis Cardinals & All The Amazing Attractions That Fans Can Attend To Within The St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Franchise!!!
May 27, 2023
Magical trip down memory lane & the nostalgic history of my beloved Cardinals.
July 5, 2010
a must for any cards fan. a real nice read.
December 4, 2011
A must read for every fan of the Cardinals.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews