Photos: Cardinals' opening day has fans looking to the future

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Photos: St. Louis Cardinals' opening day finds fans optimistic about the team's future

漏 2024 外网天堂 | By Brian Munoz,

Published March 27, 2025 at 3:58 PM CDT

Updated March 28, 2025 at 2:57 PM CDT

Sue Velten, of Mehlville, throws her arms in the air during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day rally at Ballpark Village on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Sue Velten, of Mehlville, throws her arms in the air during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� opening day rally at Ballpark Village on Thursday in downtown St. Louis. Velten was on the stadium's big screen last year, so she put the picture on the shirt she's wearing this year.

The St. Louis Cardinals鈥� opening day brought thousands of fans to Busch Stadium, all of them hopeful for a return to baseball glory.

Troy Reider, of New Baden, and his father-in-law, Matt Fingerhut, of Maryville, were two of the hundreds who fought drizzling rain for Ballpark Village鈥檚 pregame rally. Reider said the duo have been regulars at opening day 鈥渇orever.鈥� This time, they dressed up in Cardinals onesies.

"The excitement. The people. It's just a happy place to be," Reider said. 鈥淲hen I walk into Busch Stadium, I get chills, and I have for the last 40 years. That's why I keep going."

The St. Louis Cardinals ultimately topped the Minnesota Twins, 5-3, in front of a sell-out crowd of 47,395 fans. But it's been a rough few years for the Birds.

The team missed the playoffs the last two seasons 鈥� just the Cardinals had to watch the postseason from their couches. Some staff recently confided to reporters that , pointing to struggles in player development, an overreliance on high-priced veterans draining the payroll and persistent pitching issues.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not fun anymore," said Cardinals Hall of Fame center fielder Jim Edmonds with 101 ESPN last month. "Even the security guard鈥檚 like: 鈥楬ey, might not be a good time.鈥� I鈥檓 like, 鈥楩ine with me, I don鈥檛 need to be in there.鈥欌€�

Troy Reider, of New Baden, center right, and Matt Fingerhut, of Maryville, left, cheer during a St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day rally at Ballpark Village on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Troy Reider, of New Baden, center right, and Matt Fingerhut, of Maryville, left, cheer during a St. Louis Cardinals opening day rally at Ballpark Village on Thursday in downtown St. Louis.

Despite the challenges, the Redbird faithful remain hopeful for the team鈥檚 future and see opening day as an opportunity to celebrate old traditions, begin new ones, and remain optimistic.

鈥淲e鈥檝e got some good young players coming up, and we鈥檝e got just enough experience in the background,鈥� said Andy Davis, of Rolla. He traveled to Busch Stadium to celebrate his birthday with his daughter Laura Davis, of Olathe, Kansas. 鈥淚 think [the Cardinals] are more focused [on playing together] than on the loss of big names.鈥�

Fingerhut said he doesn鈥檛 worry too much whether Cardinals win or lose 鈥� they鈥檙e growing, and that鈥檚 what matters to him. 鈥淲e expect them to go to the playoffs every year, which is impossible,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a fun game to watch whether they win or lose.鈥�

Lashea Anthony, of Bevo Mill, has been coming to opening day for four or five years 鈥� but this year is the first of a new tradition: enjoying it with her son and daughter. For the kids, they were most excited to skip school.

鈥淚t means everything. When my family can come down and have fun, it makes it even better,鈥� Anthony said. She doesn鈥檛 let the team鈥檚 past few shaky years get to her. 鈥淲e [are] never giving up on the Cardinals.鈥�

See photos from the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� opening day below:

Thousands of St. Louis Cardinals fans fill the stands as the team takes on the Minnesota Twins for an Opening Day matchup on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Thousands of Cardinals fans fill the stands as the team takes on the Minnesota Twins during an opening day matchup.

The Budweiser Clydesdales make their way around Busch Stadium鈥檚 track during a rainy St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — The Budweiser Clydesdales make their way around Busch Stadium鈥檚 rainy track before the Cardinals鈥� game against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday in downtown St. Louis.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe waves to the crowd during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe waves to the crowd during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� opening day on Thursday in downtown St. Louis.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) embraces Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day introductions before taking on the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) embraces Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� opening day introductions before taking on the Minnesota Twins on Thursday.

Jamie Eichhorn and Kevin Hughes, both of St. Louis, boo Cardinals Manager John Mozeliak during the team鈥檚 Opening Day introductions in a matchup against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Jamie Eichhorn and Kevin Hughes, both of St. Louis, boo Cardinals executive John Mozeliak on Thursday.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Harrison Bader (12) is introduced during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Minnesota Twins outfielder Harrison Bader is introduced before the game.

The National Anthem plays during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day matchup agains the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — The national anthem plays Thursday before the game at Busch Stadium.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray (54) launches the ball during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day matchup against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray launches the ball during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� opening day matchup against the Minnesota Twins.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (18) reacts as outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) smashes a home run against the Minnesota Twins during the team鈥檚 Opening Day game on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker reacts as teammate Lars Nootbaar smashes a home run against the Minnesota Twins.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) and outfielder Jordan Walker (18) celebrate a home run against the Minnesota Twins during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Cardinals outfielders Lars Nootbaar, left, and Jordan Walker celebrate a home run against the Minnesota Twins.

Tina Gilbert, left, and John Gilbert, both of Columbus, Oh., wait out a rain delay during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day matchup against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Tina Gilbert, left, and John Gilbert, both of Columbus, Ohio, wait out a rain delay Thursday in downtown St. Louis.

Isaac Honey, left, and his dad Justin Honey, both of Joplin, wait out a rain delay during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day matchup against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Isaac Honey, left, and his dad, Justin Honey, both of Joplin, wait out a rain delay Thursday at Busch Stadium.

Tyler Buysee takes a selfie alongside Kelly Buysee, left, and St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird, right, during an Opening Day rally at Ballpark Village on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Tyler Buysee takes a selfie alongside Kelly Buysee, left, and St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird during an opening day rally at Ballpark Village.

Diane Miller, of Ste. Genevieve, shows off her custom-made Opening Day hat during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Diane Miller, of Ste. Genevieve, shows off her custom-made opening day hat on Thursday.

Donna Moomaw, left, of Stewardson, Ill., and Sonia Granados and Laurie Ann Mrad, both of Maryland Heights, get hyped during a St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day rally at Ballpark Village on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Donna Moomaw, left, of Stewardson, Illinois; Sonia Granados and Laurie Ann Mrad, both of Maryland Heights, get hyped during a St. Louis Cardinals opening day rally at Ballpark Village on Thursday in downtown St. Louis.

St. Louis Cardinals team photographer Ben Munson busts a move during an Opening Day rally at Ballpark Village on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals team photographer Ben Munson busts a move during a rally at Ballpark Village.

St. Louis Cardinals President Bill Dewitt III, left, announces a trivia question for fans while next to sports announcing personality Todd Thomas during a St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day rally on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Cardinals President Bill Dewitt III, left, announces a trivia question for fans while next to sports announcing personality Todd Thomas during a St. Louis Cardinals opening day rally.

Dionne Franklin, of St. John, throws her arms in the air as t-shirts go flying during a St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day rally at Ballpark Village on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Dionne Franklin, of St. John, throws her arms in the air as T-shirts go flying.

Christy Houston holds Zach, her 2-year-old son, as it begins to rain alongside her husband John Houston, all of Peoria, Ill., during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day festivities on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Christy Houston holds Zach, her 2-year-old son, as it begins to rain alongside her husband, John Houston, all of Peoria, Illinois, during the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� opening day festivities on Thursday in downtown St. Louis.

Mary Beth Webb, of Bridgeton, throws her hands in the air as the energy climbs during a St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day rally on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Mary Beth Webb, of Bridgeton, throws her hands in the air as the energy climbs during a St. Louis Cardinals opening day rally.

From left: Mark Pilkenton, Joe Burian, Greg Burian and Scott Winkelmann, all of west St. Louis County, celebrate the St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — From left: Mark Pilkenton, Joe Burian, Greg Burian and Scott Winkelmann, all of west St. Louis County, celebrate opening day.

Chiquita Newman, of Northwoods, Mo., right, calls out for a t-shirt during a St. Louis Cardinals鈥� Opening Day rally on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in downtown St. Louis. — Chiquita Newman, of Northwoods, Missouri, right, calls out for a T-shirt during a St. Louis Cardinals opening day rally.

This story has been updated.