St. Louis Riverfront Times

Before They Were the Arizona Cardinals

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Before they were the Super Bowl-bound Arizona Cardinals, the Cardinals played for more than two decades in St. Louis.

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Jim Hart, who QB'ed the Big Red from 1966 to 1983. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Jim Hart, who QB’ed the Big Red from 1966 to 1983.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

The final game at Busch Stadium in 1987, where the St. Louis Cardinals (football and baseball) played. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

The final game at Busch Stadium in 1987, where the St. Louis Cardinals (football and baseball) played.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

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During the 1987 season, fans didn't know where the team was headed, just that Bill Bidwill was taking them out of town because the city would not help finance a stadium. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

During the 1987 season, fans didn’t know where the team was headed, just that Bill Bidwill was taking them out of town because the city would not help finance a stadium.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

2 of 20
Neil Lomax (No. 15) was Cardinals quarterback from 1981-1988. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Neil Lomax (No. 15) was Cardinals quarterback from 1981-1988. Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football
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Neil Lomax. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Neil Lomax.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

5 of 20
Notoriously cheap Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill (left) in Busch Stadium with an unidentified guest. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Notoriously cheap Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill (left) in Busch Stadium with an unidentified guest.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

6 of 20
Jim Hart (No. 17). Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Jim Hart (No. 17).

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

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Bill Bidwill. His son, Michael Bidwill, now manages day-to-day operations for the team in Arizona. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Bill Bidwill. His son, Michael Bidwill, now manages day-to-day operations for the team in Arizona.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

8 of 20
Jim Hart. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Jim Hart.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

9 of 20
Dan Dierdorf, a Hall of Fame Cardinal. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Dan Dierdorf, a Hall of Fame Cardinal.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

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Jackie Smith, who played tight end for the Cardinals from 1963 to 1978. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Jackie Smith, who played tight end for the Cardinals from 1963 to 1978.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

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Jim Hart. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Jim Hart.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

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Steve Little, a place-kicker and punter for the Cardinals from 1978 to 1980. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Steve Little, a place-kicker and punter for the Cardinals from 1978 to 1980.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

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Tom Brahaney, who played center from 1973 to 1981. Possible inspiration for the hairstyle of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Tom Brahaney, who played center from 1973 to 1981. Possible inspiration for the hairstyle of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

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Dan Dierdorf. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Dan Dierdorf.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

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A Cardinal fan. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

A Cardinal fan.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

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Dan Dierdorf. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Dan Dierdorf.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

17 of 20
Neil Lomax. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Neil Lomax.

Unreal takes back the Big Red
The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

18 of 20

Gene Stallings, a coach who oversaw the team during its transition from St. Louis to Phoenix. Unreal takes back the Big Red The Ghosts of St. Louis Football

Gene Stallings, a coach who oversaw the team during its t

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