10 Rings: Stories of the St. Louis Cardinals World Championships is like ten adventure novels with different plots that all have the same ending and a happy one at that. The Cardinals were the last of the original National League teams to get to the World Series. Since that late beginning they ve become the most successful N.L. team in World Series history with ten championships. They ve been world champs during both good and bad economic times, as well as in times of war and peace. Twice they ve christened a new stadium by bringing to it a World Series trophy during its first full year. In 10 Rings, veteran newspaperman Jim Rygelski and the eminent baseball historian Bob Tiemann have culled this rich history to bring stories not just of the hits, runs, and errors but, more importantly, the drama involving the personalities that drove these Cardinal teams to the heights. Sam Breadon, Branch Rickey, and Rogers Hornsby battle each other for control of the team while the Cardinals subdue Murderers Row. Pepper Martin runs wild on the bases and steals the trophy coveted by Mr. Mack s Athletics. Dizzy and Paul Dean tame some Tigers. The St. Louis Swifties led by Stan Musial vanquish the Browns. El Birdos turn Boston s Impossible Dream into a nightmare. Whitey Ball turns the tables on Harvey s Wallbangers. And Tony LaRussa s improbable Redbirds shock the world. The text includes a summary of how the Cardinals won each pennant, the linescore of each World Series game of those championship years, and great photos.

The Missouri History Museum will hold a book discussion and signing with the authors on May 25, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. Please visit mohistory.org for more information.