The St. Louis Cardinals' 1982 season was the team’s 101st season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 91st season in the National League. Making up for the previous season’s near-miss, the Cardinals went 92—70 during the season and won their first-ever National League East Division title by three games over the Philadelphia Phillies. They achieved their first postseason appearance since 1968 and defeated the National League West champion Atlanta Braves in three straight games to claim the NL pennant. From there, they went on to win the World Series in seven games over the American League champion Milwaukee Brewers. It was the Cardinals’ first World Championship since 1967, and their last until they opened the current Busch Stadium in 2006.
October 21, 1981: Bob Sykes was traded by the Cardinals to the New York Yankees for Willie McGee.
October 23, 1981: Jeff Little was traded by the Cardinals to the Minnesota Twins for Mike Kinnunen.
November 20, 1981: Silvio Martínez and Lary Sorensen were traded by the Cardinals to the Cleveland Indians as part of a three-team trade. The Philadelphia Phillies traded Lonnie Smith to the Cardinals. The Indians traded Bo Díaz to the Phillies. The Phillies sent a player to be named later to the Indians. The Phillies completed the deal by sending Scott Munninghoff to the Indians on December 9.
December 10, 1981: Sixto Lezcano, Garry Templeton and a player to be named later were traded by the Cardinals to the San Diego Padres for Ozzie Smith, Steve Mura and a player to be named later. The deal was completed on February 19, 1982, with the Padres sending Al Olmsted to the Cardinals and the Cardinals sending Luis DeLeón to the Padres.
December 29, 1981: Joaquín Andújar was signed as a free agent by the Cardinals.
First baseman Keith Hernandez and shortstop Ozzie Smith won Gold Gloves this year.
Lonnie Smith, CF
Tom Herr, 2B
Keith Hernandez, 1B
Darrell Porter, C
George Hendrick, RF
Dane Iorg, LF
Steve Braun, 3B
Ozzie Smith, SS
Bob Forsch, P
May 30, 1982: The Cardinals rally twice in their last at-bat in a thrilling 6—5 victory over the San Diego Padres at Busch Memorial Stadium. St. Louis trailed 3-0 entering the bottom of the ninth when Keith Hernandez led off with a single to left field. Hernandez took second on a single by George Hendrick and scored on Lonnie Smith’s RBI double. After a Mike Ramsey ground out, Julio González reached on Padre third baseman Luis Salazar’s error, allowing Hendrick to score and cutting the deficit to 3—2, and two batters later, Smith scored on Tom Herr's sacrifice fly to tie the game. After San Diego tacked on an additional two runs off Bruce Sutter in the top of the tenth inning, the Cardinals rallied again in the bottom half. Padres reliever Gary Lucas retired Orlando Sánchez and Hernandez to start the inning, but allowed a two-out single to Hendrick. Lonnie Smith then doubled Hendrick home to bring St. Louis back within 5—4, and Ramsey’s subsequent RBI single tied the game. After Julio Gonzalez was hit by a pitch, Dane Iorg lined a single into center field, scoring Ramsey with the winning run.
June 7, 1982: 1982 Major League Baseball draft
Terry Pendleton was drafted by the Cardinals in the 7th round. Player signed June 12, 1982.
Vince Coleman was drafted by the Cardinals in the 10th round. Player signed June 9, 1982.
June 25, 1982: Joe Boever was signed by the Cardinals as an amateur free agent.
August 11, 1982: Eric Rasmussen was purchased by the Cardinals from the Leones de Yucatán.
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
October 7, Busch Stadium
October 9, Busch Stadium
October 10, Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium
In Game 3, rookie outfielder Willie McGee hit two home runs, tying a World Series record for rookies.
NL St. Louis Cardinals (4) vs. AL Milwaukee Brewers (3)
Awards and honors
Darrell Porter, NLCS and World Series Most Valuable Player
Bruce Sutter, Babe Ruth Award
