1996 St. Louis Cardinals season

The St. Louis Cardinals 1996 season was the team's 115th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 105th season in the National League. It was Tony La Russa's first season managing the club, after leaving the Oakland Athletics. During the first year of the William DeWitt, Jr. era, the Cardinals went 88–74 during the season and won their first-ever National League Central title by six games over the Houston Astros. They beat the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, but fell in 7 games to the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS after being up 3–1. DeWitt, along with Drew Bauer and Fred Hanser had bought the Cardinals from Anheuser-Busch during the 1995-96 offseason.

Offseason

 * December 23, 1995: Ron Gant was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals
 * December 23, 1995: Andy Benes was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals
 * December 15, 1995: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.
 * January 9, 1996: Todd Stottlemyre was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals for Allen Battle, Carl Dale, Jay Witasick, and Bret Wagner (minors).
 * January 11, 1996: Mike Gallego signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.
 * February 13, 1996: Dennis Eckersley was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals for Steve Montgomery.
 * December 18, 1995: Gary Gaetti signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Ozzie Smith's final season
Legendary veteran shortstop Ozzie Smith, announced during the season that it would be his last season in the Major Leagues, while veteran outfielder Willie McGee, was brought back to the Cards as a free agent. Though the tension between Smith and exciting youngster Royce Clayton, acquired in a trade, grew thick and troublesome at times as they shared time at shortstop, both players had good seasons. McGee came off the bench and started when needed.

Game log

 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss Bold = Cardinals team member
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss Bold = Cardinals team member

Opening Day starters

 * Luis Alicea
 * Gary Gaetti
 * Ron Gant
 * Ray Lankford
 * John Mabry
 * Willie McGee
 * Pat Borders
 * Ozzie Smith
 * Todd Stottlemyre

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

NLDS
St. Louis wins the series, 3-0

Game 1
October 9: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 2
October 10: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 3
October 12: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Game 4
October 13: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Game 5
October 14: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Game 6
October 16: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 7
October 17: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Awards and honors

 * Tony La Russa, Associated Press Manager of the Year
 * Ozzie Smith, All Star Game