ST. LOUIS – The Missouri History Museum will explore how baseball shaped St. Louis, and how St. Louis has shaped baseball for the rest of America, with the grand opening of St. Louis at Bat: 100 Moments in Baseball History on October 3, 2026.
The exhibition traces St. Louis baseball history from the city’s first known “base ball” game, played by the Cyclones and Morning Stars at Fairground Park in 1860, to the Cardinals’ dramatic 2011 World Series victory. Through compelling artifacts, photographs, archival images and stories, St. Louis at Bat reveals how the game has brought generations of St. Louisans together, on professional fields, neighborhood diamonds, city streets and corkball courts.
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“Baseball is woven into the fabric of St. Louis. It lives not only in championships and legendary players, but in neighborhood games, family traditions and the generations of fans who have made the sport their own. St. Louis at Bat celebrates the many people and moments that shaped our baseball identity and shows how deeply St. Louis has shaped the game in return, ” said Jody Sowell, President & CEO of the Missouri Historical Society.
The exhibition honors familiar Cardinals milestones, including multiple World Series
championship seasons and while also broadening the story of baseball in St. Louis. Visitors will encounter the legacy of the St. Louis Browns, the championship St. Louis Stars of the Negro Leagues, the city’s early Black baseball history, women’s participation in the game, local equipment makers including Rawlings, and the uniquely St. Louis pastime of corkball.
Among the exhibition’s stories are:
The St. Louis Browns’ disputed 1885 championship and their celebrated 1886 title.
The 1928 and 1930 Negro National League championships won by the St. Louis Stars, featuring legends such as James “Cool Papa” Bell and Willie “Devil” Wells.
The city’s first professional women’s baseball game in 1875 and the long history of women as players and fans.
Baseball innovator Chris von der Ahe, whose vision for Sunday games, refreshments and ballpark entertainment helped create the modern ballpark experience Americans know and love.
Legendary Cardinals moments, from Enos Slaughter’s “Mad Dash” in the 1946 World Series to David Freese’s Game 6 heroics in 2011.
The local origins and lasting appeal of corkball, a fast-paced variation of the national pastime that thrives in St. Louis neighborhoods and leagues.
Visitors will see a wide range of objects that connect the game’s biggest moments to the people who lived them, including championship memorabilia, uniforms, bats, gloves, baseballs, tickets and fan artifacts. Featured objects include a championship pin awarded to 1886 Browns pitcher Dave Foutz, a 1926 World Championship ring worn by Branch Rickey, a jersey associated with the St. Louis Stars, a 1964 World Championship ring worn by Bill White, a “Victory Blue” jersey worn by Bruce Sutter in 1982 and a portion of the jersey David Freese wore during Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. Many objects are on loan from the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, the St. Louis Browns Historical Society and Fan Club, Rawlings Inc., the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and other lenders.
St. Louis at Bat is an opportunity to preserve and share a history that belongs to the entire region. By bringing together stories and objects from across generations, the exhibition invites longtime fans, curious newcomers and families to discover how baseball has shaped St. Louis—and how St. Louis has helped shape the game,” said Adam Kloppe, public historian and exhibition curator.
Baseball fans can celebrate the opening weekend with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, October 3 at 10:15 a.m., followed by photo opportunities with Fredbird and a 2pm keynote conversation featuring Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith with exhibition curator Adam Kloppe. Throughout the weekend, enjoy special memorabilia displays and demonstrations, family activities, meet-and-greets with baseball greats, and ballpark-style food for purchase.
The St. Louis at Bat exhibition is sponsored by Bank of America, Edward Jones, St. Louis Cardinals and Cardinals Care, Larry and Hannah Langsam, Rawlings, AARP and Midas Hospitality.
St. Louis at Bat: 100 Moments in Baseball History will be on view through September 07, 2027. Admission to the Missouri History Museum is free. For museum hours, exhibition details and related programs, visit mohistory.org/baseball.
