First Season: 1882, as a member of the new American Association. The "Browns" struggled to a 37-43 first-year record and finished fifth in the six team field.

1883-1900: The Browns captured 4 consecutive A.A. pennants from 1885 to 1888, but their success ended there When the A.A. folded after the 1891 season they joined the National League and sanked quietly into the second division.

1901-Present: The Cardinals trail only the New York Yankees in World Series Championships and only the Yankees and the Dodgers in Pennants. And all of their success was achieved after 1926, when they captured their first N.L. Flag and World Series.

The history of Cardinals baseball has been colorful and consistent, spiced by some of sport's most memorable moments. St. Louis won two pennants in the 1920s, three in the 1930s, four in the 1940s, three in the 1960s, and three in the 1980s.

Nine of the pennants led to championships, including the Gas House Gang's 1934 fall classic romp past Detroit and Enos Slaughter's 1946 Series-ending Mad Dash.

The Cardinals have finished only first five times since divisional play began in 1969, but three of them resulted in World Series appearances (a 1982 victory, 1985 & 87 losses).

The Cardinals, who lost the 1996 and 2000 NL Championship Series, were placed in the Central Division when the NL adopted the three-division format in 1994.

In 2004 the St. Louis Cardinals finished in 1st place in the National League Central Division with a 105-57 record, advanced to the World Series where they lost to the Boston Red Sox.

In 2006 the St. Louis Cardinals won their division with a 83-78 record, upset the Padres and Mets in the Playoffs and then upset the Tigers to win the World Series..