In a front-page story on September 9, 1998, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Cardinal baseball player Mark McGwire's 62nd home run -- the run that broke Roger Maris's longstanding record of 61 homers in a single season. Legend has it that the paper went back to press twice that day to meet consumer demand, selling over one million copies to fair-weather friends, curious readers of the general public, and always-true Cardinal baseball fans. In The Cardinal Encyclopedia, Mike Eisenbath, seasoned sports writer for Post-Dispatch, offers his carefully researched collection of Cardinal baseball lore to those loyal Redbird followers. Long in the writing before McGwire's heroic plays, The Cardinals Encyclopedia includes extensive profiles for the top 200 players and a synopsis of the careers of every team player ever to suit up; stories, statistics, and game-by-game accounts of every season (from the team's true beginning in 1882 as the St. Louis Browns); and detailed information on every manager. Complete with photos and memorabilia, this book uniquely captures the history behind the team that has not only inspired one of the most devoted fan bases in baseball history, but is known of such colorful characters as the Gashouse Gang, has made fifteen World Series appearances, won nine World Championships, and sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame such stars as Stan Musial, Enos Slaughter, Bob Gibson, Dizzy Dean, and Red Schoendienst. Including a look at the 1998 season and a full chapter on Big Mac himself and his record-breaking plays by the sports writer assigned to cover his every move The Cardinals Encyclopedia -- covering everything from stories and statistics to team milestones and strategists to ballparks, the front office, and trades -- brings to life all of the thrilling moments and special characters that have shaped the franchise's rich baseball tradition.
