Francisco Diez via Flickr
On Thursday, the Cardinals will play the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium, marking the season's home opener and the first time the stadium will welcome guests in more than a year (544 days to be precise) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although ballpark attendance is capped at 32 percent and tickets are sold out, fans will still be able to watch the pregame ceremonies live beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Bally Sports Midwest. On the radio, tune into KMOX 1120 AM or 98.7 FM to hear Mike Shannon and John Rooney call the game. Shannon, who played with the Cardinals for nine seasons, will be retiring from the broadcast booth after this year. This will be his 50th year calling games, and he's expected to call 50 more this season. Shannon will be honored throughout the season with video tributes and a bobblehead giveaway.
Thursday's first pitch is at 3:15 p.m. Here's a breakdown of the schedule:
1 p.m. — Gates open. If you're one of the lucky few who snagged a ticket (which are mobile-only this year), look for your designated entry gate there.
2:30 p.m. — Pregame ceremonies begin. COVID couldn't stop the Budweiser Clydesdales this year.
2:33 p.m. — Tribute to Lou Brock and Bob Gibson. The legendary Cardinals both died in 2020.
2:35 p.m. — Introduction of Cardinals Hall of Famers
2:38 p.m. — Salute to Mike Shannon
2:40 p.m. — Introduction of Cardinals Chairman and CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. at home plate
2:41 p.m. — Introduction of the 2021 St. Louis Cardinals via motorcade
2:53 p.m. — Introduction of the Milwaukee Brewers
2:57 p.m. — Moment of silence
2:58 p.m. — National Anthem. Dr. Shephali Wulff, an infectious disease specialist with SSM Health in St. Louis, will perform. (St. Louis Magazine interviewed Wulff in January. Read our story here.)
3 p.m. — Cardinals Opening Day video
3:02 p.m. — Ceremonial first pitch. Cardinals Hall of Famer Scott Rolen will pitch to new player Nolan Arenado. (For more on Arenado, see our story here.)
3:15 p.m. — First pitch
If you're going to the game, what can you expect? A little more elbow room, for one thing. Guests will be seated in pods of no more than four and distanced from others who are not in their group. Masks will be required at all times in the stadium unless you're eating or drinking. Any purchases will need to be cashless, and sorry, no roaming beer vendors this year. Bags—expect for medical or diaper bags—will be prohibited, and look for plenty of hand sanitizer stationed around the stadium.
