Sports

Photos: St. Louis Cardinals fans brave brisk weather for winning home opener

St. Louis Public Radio | By Eric Lee,

Published April 4, 2024 at 9:13 PM CDT

Fans watch as St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn (#31) throws the ball against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — Fans watch as St. Louis Cardinals starter Lance Lynn pitches to the Miami Marlins on Thursday at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won their home opener, 8-5, in downtown St. Louis.

Thousands of fans packed into Busch Stadium as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Miami Marlins, 8-5, during the home opener on Thursday.

Prior to first pitch, fans donned in red enjoyed a live band under overcast skies at Kiener Plaza. A few blocks away at Ballpark Village, an emcee led cheers and gave away T-shirts.

A few steps from the Stan Musial statue outside the stadium, season ticket holder Doris Groby sat with her husband and waited for their daughter to arrive.

“We just love it. Love it, love it, love it.” she said of the home opener. “I mean it’s great entertainment, there’s always sights, there’s always great going on with the game or the players. We just love it. Go Cards.”

St. Louis fans remain hopeful after their team's last-place finish in Major League Baseball’s National League Central last season.

“It really depends how everybody does this year, and how management takes care of it – or the upper management,” said Jimmy Mecker, sitting behind home plate as the Cardinals finished batting practice. "Pitching, and let’s hope everybody makes a clean recovery from off the [injured reserve list].”

St. Louis plays the Marlins again Saturday and Sunday before welcoming the Philadelphia Phillies next week.

See photos from St. Louis Public Radio photojournalist Eric Lee below:

“Taco” Perez, of Roxana, Ill., wears a top hat adorned with St. Louis Cardinals pins on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — “Taco” Perez, of Roxana, Ill., wears a top hat adorned with St. Louis Cardinals pins on Thursday before the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

People wait in line before gates open on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — People wait in line before gates open on Thursday for the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

People pass a Bob Gibson Statue on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — People pass a Bob Gibson statue on Thursday before the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

A St. Louis Cardinals fan waits in line while wearing a taped-over “Jordan Walker” jersey on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis. — A Cardinals fan waits in line while wearing a taped-over Jordan Walker jersey on Thursday before the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis.

Sherry Koehler takes a photo of her daughter, Aaleyiah Koehler, 11, with St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis. — Sherry Koehler takes a photo of her daughter, Aaleyiah Koehler, 11, with St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird on Thursday before the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis.

People line up to purchase tickets on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — People line up to purchase tickets on Thursday before the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

A woman wears a clear backpack carrying pretzels and a woman sports St. Louis Cardinals earrings on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins in downtown St. Louis. — A woman wears a clear backpack carrying pretzels and a woman sports St. Louis Cardinals earrings on Thursday before the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins in downtown St. Louis.

A parent carries a child on their shoulders on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — A parent carries a child on Thursday during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

From left to right: Ashlee Davidson, 34, Averie Davidson, 4, Adeline Davidson, 7, and Greg Davidson, 37, of Rosalie, try to stay warm in the stands as they watch batting practice on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — From left: Ashlee Davidson, 34; Averie Davidson, 4; Adeline Davidson, 7, and Greg Davidson, 37, of Rosalie try to stay warm in the stands as they watch batting practice on Thursday before the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium.

Fans watch batting practice on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — Fans watch batting practice on Thursday before the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium.

St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II reaches to sign a hat on Thursday before the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals center field Victor Scott II (#11) reaches to sign a hat on Thursday before the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins stand for the singing of the U.S. National Anthem on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during St. Louis’ home opener at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — The St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins stand for the national anthem on Thursday during St. Louis’ home opener at Busch Stadium.

The Budweiser Clydesdales arrive on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — The Budweiser Clydesdales arrive on Thursday during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

Fans try to stay warm on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — Fans try to stay warm on Thursday during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn (#31) throws the ball on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during St. Louis’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn throws on Thursday at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

The St. Louis Cardinals dugout watches their home opener against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — The St. Louis Cardinals dugout watches the game against the Miami Marlins on Thursday at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera (#48) watches a strike on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera watches a strike on Thursday during the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

A fan wraps themselves in warm clothing and a blanket on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — A fan wraps in warm clothing and a blanket on Thursday during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Michael Siani (#63) hits a ball on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Michael Siani swings at a pitch on Thursday during the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

Fans celebrate St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (#18) hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — Fans celebrate St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker's home run against the Miami Marlins on Thursday at Busch Stadium.

A fan keeps a scorebook on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — A fan keeps a scorebook on Thursday during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium.

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Matthew Liberatore (#52) exits the bullpen on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Matthew Liberatore exits the bullpen on Thursday during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium.

A fan holds a sign reading, “Jordan Walker 4 President” on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — A fan holds a sign reading, “Jordan Walker 4 President” on Thursday during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn (#31) launches a ball on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn launches a pitch on Thursday during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium.

A fan cheers on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — A fan cheers on Thursday during the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against the Miami Marlins.

St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker #18 robs a homerun on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium in Downtown. This is the Cardinals home opener for the 2024 season. — St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker jumps for a catch in the top of the 5th inning on Thursday as the team takes on the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

St. Louis Cardinal fans celebrate scoring a run on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinal fans celebrate scoring a run on Thursday during the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins.

St. Louis Cardinals fans celebrate scoring a run on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals fans celebrate scoring a run on Thursday during the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins.

A St. Louis Cardinals fan raises a foam finger on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — A St. Louis Cardinals fan raises a foam finger on Thursday during the team’s home opener against the Miami Marlins.

Fredbird, St. Louis Cardinals’ mascot, runs onto the field with after the team defeated the Miami Marlins, 8-5, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — Fredbird, St. Louis Cardinals mascot, runs onto the field after the team defeated the Miami Marlins, 8-5, on Thursday at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

The St. Louis Cardinals celebrate defeating the Miami Marlins, 8-5, during their home opener on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. — The St. Louis Cardinals celebrate defeating the Miami Marlins, 8-5, during their home opener on Thursday in downtown St. Louis.