1972 St. Louis Cardinals season

The 1972 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 91st season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 81st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 75–81 during the season and finished fourth in the National League East, $21 1/2$ games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Offseason

 * February 25, 1972: Steve Carlton was traded by the Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies for Rick Wise.

Regular season
Pitcher Bob Gibson won a Gold Glove this year.

Opening Day starters

 * Matty Alou
 * Lou Brock
 * José Cruz
 * Bob Gibson
 * Joe Hague
 * Dal Maxvill
 * Ted Simmons
 * Ted Sizemore
 * Joe Torre

Notable transactions

 * May 15, 1972: Don Shaw was traded by the Cardinals to the Oakland Athletics for Dwain Anderson.
 * May 16, 1972: Lowell Palmer was signed as a free agent by the Cardinals.
 * May 18, 1972: Marty Martínez was traded by the Cardinals to the Oakland Athletics for Brant Alyea.
 * June 6, 1972: Dan Larson was drafted by the Cardinals in the 1st round (21st pick) of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft.
 * June 7, 1972: Diego Seguí was sent to the Cardinals by the Oakland Athletics as part of a conditional deal.
 * July 23, 1972: Brant Alyea was returned to the Oakland Athletics by the Cardinals.
 * August 30, 1972: Dal Maxvill was traded by the Cardinals to the Oakland Athletics for a player to be named later and Joe Lindsey (minors). The Athletics completed the deal by sending Gene Dusen (minors) to the Cardinals on October 27.
 * September 18, 1972: Lowell Palmer was selected off waivers from the Cardinals by the Cleveland Indians.

Starters by position
''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

League leaders

 * Lou Brock, National League leader, stolen bases, 63

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Modesto