1945 St. Louis Cardinals season
| 1945 St. Louis Cardinals | |
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| Major League affiliations | |
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| Location | |
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| Results | |
| Record | 95–59 (.617) |
| League place | 2nd |
| Other information | |
| Owner(s) | Sam Breadon |
| Manager(s) | Billy Southworth |
| Local radio |
WIL (Harry Caray, Gabby Street) WTMV (France Laux, Johnny O'Hara) |
| Stats |
ESPN.com BB-reference |
| < Previous season Next season > | |
The 1945 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 64th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 54th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 95–59 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League. The Cardinals set a Major League record which still stands, for the fewest double plays grounded into during a season, with only 75.
An almost incredible place in baseball history was at stake. Billy Southworth and his Cardinals had a chance to become only the second ball club after the 1921-24 Giants to win four consecutive NL pennants.
However, the war finally drained the Redbirds of the talent needed to win a championship.
Stan Musial, Walker Cooper, Max Lanier and solid outfielder Mort Cooper, who experienced elbow problems later in the season, got into a contract squabble with Harry Breadon during the spring. They signed contracts for $12,000 apiece, then balked at reporting for opening day after learning Marion had been upped to $15,000.
On May 23, the Cards sent Mort Cooper to the Boston Braves for pitcher Red Barrett, who compiled a league-high total of 23 wins, and $60,000. However, the Redbirds didn't have enough pitching depth to keep up with the faster pace of a Chicago Cubs team filled with veteran pitchers such as Paul Derringer.
The Cardinals actually won 16 of their 22 meetings with The Cubs.
Only Whitey Kurowski batted .300 among the regulars. He was one of the few Cardinals were able to keep their jobs once the boys marched home from Europe and the Pacific.
Red Schoendienst stole 26 bases but batted just .278 and drove in only 47 runs.
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