Baseball is woven into the fabric of St. Louis. The history and tradition, not to mention the success, of the St. Louis Cardinals have long been a point of pride for natives of the area, and that enthusiasm for the sport spans generations. Kids emulate their favorite Cardinals in their backyards, and a lucky few are able to make it all the way to the sport's highest level.
Although team fandom tends to fade as players ascend through the ranks, many locals still can't completely rid themselves of that allegiance. With several 2025-2026 free agents hailing from the St.