St. Louis Cardinals
The winningest NL team in World Series history, with a rivalry born in the 1880s.
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central Division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals have played their home games at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. One of the nation's oldest and most successful professional baseball clubs, the Cardinals have won 11 World Series championships, the most of any NL team and second in MLB only to the New York Yankees. The team has won 19 National League pennants, third-most of any team behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. St. Louis has also won 15 division titles in the East and Central divisions.
- League Affiliation
- National League
- Rivalry Status
- Active and Historic
- Geographic Context
- Midwest (Chicago vs. St. Louis)
- Historical Significance
- Oldest continuous rivalry in MLB
Lore & Background
The Cardinals–Cubs rivalry began in the 1885–1888 period, when the St. Louis Browns (the team that later became the Cardinals) met the Chicago White Stockings (now the Chicago Cubs) in the predecessor of the World Series. The Browns won one of those series and tied another, spurring the rivalry. The rivalry did not begin in the early 1900s, nor when both franchises were National League titans; the Browns were then in the American Association.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Wrigley Field grows thick with humidity and history as the late innings approach. In the bleachers, a sea of red cuts through the navy blue, fans chanting in a rhythmic roar that drowns out the crack of the bat. On the mound, a Cardinals pitcher locks eyes on the plate where a Cubs batter grips his wood, haunted by decades of St. Louis snatching victory from their grasp. When the umpire calls the strike, a collective groan ripples through the North Side—a sound as native to Chicagoans as the wind off Lake Michigan. In this moment, two teams are playing, but generations of fans are reliving every heartbreak and triumph of the last century.
Reader's Guide
The Cardinals' history includes their origins as the Brown Stockings in 1875, reorganization under Chris von der Ahe in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association, and dominance in that league with four consecutive pennants from 1885 to 1888. After the AA folded, the team joined the National League in 1892 and was renamed the Cardinals in 1900. Notable achievements include Branch Rickey's invention of the farm system, Rogers Hornsby's two batting Triple Crowns, Dizzy Dean's 30-win season in 1934, Stan Musial's 17 MLB and 29 NL records, Bob Gibson's 1.12 ERA in 1968, Whitey Herzog's Whiteyball dynasty, Mark McGwire's single-season home run record in 1998, the 2011 championship team's comebacks, and Albert Pujols' 700th home run. The Cardinals have won 105 or more games in four seasons and 100 or more nine times. Through 2025, their all-time win-loss record is 11,363–10,486–152 (.520).
Did You Know?
- The Cardinals have won 11 World Series championships, the most of any NL team.
- The team was originally called the St. Louis Browns and played in the American Association.
- The Cardinals–Cubs rivalry dates to 1885–1888, when the Browns met the Chicago White Stockings in the predecessor of the World Series.
- Bob Gibson posted a 1.12 ERA in 1968, one of the lowest in MLB history.
- The Cardinals have 19 National League pennants, third-most all-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the St. Louis Cardinals?
They are a historic Major League Baseball franchise based in Missouri that competes within the National League Central division. As the Cubs' nearest geographic competitor, they share over a century of intense competition on the field.
Why is this rivalry considered so important to Cubs fans?
For Chicago supporters, every game against St. Louis represents a battle for regional supremacy that transcends standard baseball statistics. This feud defines much of the franchise's identity due to its longevity and emotional intensity.
How long has this competition lasted?
The rivalry spans more than one hundred years, making it the oldest continuous matchup in Major League Baseball history. Both teams have faced off consistently since the early days of organized professional play.
What makes this feud unique compared to other matchups?
It is distinguished by geographic proximity and a shared divisional alignment that forces frequent encounters throughout every season. The contrasting identities of the two storied franchises fuel a passion rarely seen elsewhere in sports.
Is the rivalry still active today?
Yes, this remains an active and defining fixture on the MLB schedule for both organizations. Fans continue to treat each series as a critical test of strength against their oldest continuous opponent.
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