2002 St. Louis Cardinals season

The St. Louis Cardinals 2002 season was the team's 121st season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 111th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 97–65 during the season and won the National League Central by 13 games over the Houston Astros. In the playoffs, the Cardinals defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 3 games to 0 in the NLDS but lost to the San Francisco Giants 4 games to 1 in the NLCS.

Second baseman Fernando Viña, shortstop Édgar Rentería, third baseman Scott Rolen, and outfielder Jim Edmonds each won Gold Gloves this year.

On June 18, long-time broadcaster Jack Buck died at the age of 77, while four days later, pitcher Darryl Kile was found dead in a Chicago hotel room, at age 33.

Offseason

 * December 11, 2001: Signed free agent pitcher Jason Isringhausen.

Transactions

 * June 9: Released pitcher José Rodríguez.
 * July 29: Traded third baseman Plácido Polanco, pitcher Mike Timlin, and pitcher Bud Smith to the Philadelphia Phillies for third baseman Scott Rolen, Doug Nickle and cash.

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; 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; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

NLDS
St. Louis wins the series, 3-0

Game 1
October 9: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

Game 2
October 10: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

Game 3
October 12: Pac Bell Park, San Francisco

Game 4
October 13: Pac Bell Park, San Francisco

Game 5
October 14: Pac Bell Park, San Francisco

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Peoria