Brian Gardner | Arches, Busch Stadium | Photography | 2001

This isn't a typical photo of Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Usually those seats in the outfield are filled, but this picture was taken after a two to three hour rain delay. The rain didn't last long, but the storm came on so quickly that the infield could not be covered before it was flooded. Ten minutes after it began to rain, the sun was again shining but the field needed a few hours to dry out. The game also featured Mark McGwire's 550th career home run (off of Oral Hershiser in one of his last appearances). I swear I called this homer.  Oral was struggling and had thrown two inside balls, and before the next pitch I told my friends to watch McGwire whack an outside fastball out of the park.  McGwire hit the ball 485 feet, a nice line drive shot. Soon after this game, McGwire would injure his knee and his career would come to a gradual close. Shawn Green is at bat here in the top of the 6th. As noted by the title, there are plenty of arches on and around the field.  The Cardinals will leave Busch Stadium after 2005 and move into their new home, which will feature the same name.