Whether you are from St. Louis, Southern Illinois or another state, if you are a Cardinals fan, there are so many different words that we use during baseball season. From vocabulary about St. Louis, Busch Stadium or the Cardinals themselves, there are a wide variety of words. Baseball season is fast approaching so one should familiarize themselves with these words. If you are not a Cardinals fan or have recently become a Cardinals fan, here is your insiders guide to words every St. Louis Cardinals fan uses.
Ballpark Hotdogs
(Noun)- Also known as the only hotdogs I'll ever eat. This is the common name for hotdogs purchased at Busch Stadium. Even though they are just ballpark franks, they are a blessing from God. If you have one of these during a game, you are set.
Ballpark Village
(Noun)- A place for fans, young and old, to gather while watching Cardinals games, Blues games and even Rams games. It's open all year round but is busy more during baseball season, and it is home to four restaurants, rooftop seating towards the stadium and an outdoor big screen.
Baseball Heaven
(Noun)- Another name for Busch Stadium. We call it baseball heaven because for people in St. Louis, baseball is heaven.
Busch Stadium (Old Bush or New Busch)
(Noun)- The stadium where the Cardinals play their baseball games. The old Busch Stadium was torn down in 2005 to be replaced by a (not so much better) newer stadium, which opened in 2006. Amazingly, the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series as they celebrated their first season in the new stadium.
Cardinal/Cub Rivalry
(Noun)- The rivalry that exists between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. This rivalry is taken very seriously in both St. Louis and Chicago. Make sure to pick a side (the right side, the Cardinals).
(Verb)- The act of hating the Cubs, showing this hate for the Cubs, or telling Cubs fans that they suck. This happens a lot in St. Louis, but it's all just for fun (most of the time).
Cardinal Nation
(Noun)- The absolute best fans in baseball. Cardinals fans are known as the most loyal, fair and enthusiastic fans in baseball, especially when it comes to postseason. Cardinal nation is not just a name, it is a way of life for us St. Louisans.
La Russa
(Noun)- Nickname for the Cardinals past manager, Tony La Russa, who helped the Cardinals win two World Series Championships. He sadly retired in 2011, and he is known as one of the greatest Cardinals managers.
Matheny
(Noun)- Nickname for the Cardinals current manager Mike Matheny, who has helped the cardinals become one of the best teams in baseball.
Nail Biter (see also Postseason or Red October)
(Noun)- The entirety of the Cardinals postseason.
(Verb)- The act of biting your nails while watching the post season Cardinals almost get beat in the last inning of the last postseason game. But somehow they manage to come in clutch and win.
Peanut Heaven (see also nosebleed seats)
(Noun)- The highest and cheapest seats at the ballpark. When I say nosebleed, boy do I mean nosebleed. These seats are very high up, the wind is always gusting, yet you have beautiful views of the field and St. Louis.
The Rally Squirrel (see also The Rally Song)
(Noun)- A squirrel that made its appearance by running across home plate during the 2011 World Series game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Cardinals went on to win the 2011 World Series, and St. Louis adopted the "Rally Squirrel" as one of their own.
Red October (see also Postseason)
(Noun)- The entire month of October is known as this because that is when the Cardinals player's are on fire and the red is even hotter. This is the time of postseason games, and somehow the Cardinals always make it to postseason - no matter how bad their regular season was.
Shannons (see also, "Are you going to Shannon's?")
(Noun)- Another name for the restaurant Mike Shannons, which sits across from Busch. Fans can watch baseball games on the TV's and have some good beer. It gets pretty packed on game nights.
Spring Training (see also Jupiter, Florida)
(Noun)- Training for the Cardinals players that happens in Jupiter, Florida. Many fans have traveled down to Florida during the month of March and early April to catch a game. These "warm up" games help the players get ready for the upcoming season.
St. Louis Cardinals (see also "How about them Cardinals?")
(Noun)- Also known as one of the greatest teams in baseball. Previously called the Browns, the team joined the NL in 1892. Eight years later, in 1900, the team was renamed the Cardinals. Many famous players come from the St. Louis Cardinals, as there is a lot of history with this team in The Lou.
Yadi
(Noun)- Nickname for one of the greatest catchers, Yadier Molina, the Cardinals have ever had, and in my opinion, one of the best in the MLB. He is known for striking people out at home (obviously, but he is just really good at it) and throwing people out on base (which happens a lot). You will often hear people chanting, "Yadi, Yadi, Yadi!" when he comes up to bat.
