Benjamin Hochman | Post-Dispatch
Sports columnist
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Todd Thomas keeps this photo on display of his wife, Cheryl "Cheri" Thomas who died last year at age 54. An enlargement of the photo hangs in Thomas' home as a reminder of his wife's spirit and energy.
In today鈥檚 10 a.m. 鈥淭en Hochman鈥 sports video聽鈥斅燽rought to you by聽聽鈥斅燘en Hochman discusses Tuesday鈥檚 start by the Cardinals鈥 Miles Mikolas! Also, a happy birthday shoutout to Wayne Newton! And as always, Hochman picks a random 最新杏吧原创 Cards card!
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fans celebrate first home game of the 2024 season
Cardinals fan Randy Thomas, of Troy, Mo., cheers during a Cardinals pep rally at Ballpark Village in downtown 最新杏吧原创 before the 2024 home opener on Thursday, April 4, 2024. The Cardinals beat the Miami Marlins 8-5.聽
Richard Pietsek, from south 最新杏吧原创 County, sings along to the national anthem as he displays his flag before the Cardinals鈥 home opener against the Marlins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
"It's a holiday every year for me. I've been coming to baseball games since I was in kindergarten" said Myndi Funes, from St. John, as she takes her seat before opening ceremonies before a game between the Miami Marlins and the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals on home opener day at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Fans Spencer Blackwood, Isabel Shadwick and Nicole Blackwood, all from the Lake of the Ozarks, cover in a blanket to stay warm before the start of the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, April, 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fan Anna Lange holds a photo of her late husband and Cardinals fan known as The Hat Man, Tom Lange at the Cardinals home opener pep rally on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Ballpark Village. Tom Lange died in January. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
A sea of fans sporting red fills Busch Stadium as the Cardinals and Marlins line up for the national anthem during the Cardinals鈥 home opener on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
Chris Harris, of Florissant, dances while holding his Yadier Molina cup at the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener pep rally in 最新杏吧原创 at Kiener Plaza in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Harris said he's been taking part in home opener festivities since 2011. Photo by Vanessa Abbitt, vabbitt@post-dispatch.com
Angela Thomas, right, and her sweetheart Derrick Teitelbaum smooch at the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener pep rally in 最新杏吧原创 at Kiener Plaza in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Photo by Vanessa Abbitt, vabbitt@post-dispatch.com
Kase Raby, 9, calls out to Cardinals players on the field for a ball during batting practice before a game between the Miami Marlins and the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals on home opener day at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Stephanie Monroe of Godfrey reacts to a song with the crowd on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the Cardinals home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
Fredbird and members of Team Fredbird pep squad dance in unison on the stage on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
Emma Breed, 11, snuggles up next to her mother Sarah Breed for warmth as they wait for the start of opening ceremonies before a game between the Miami Marlins and the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals on home opener day at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. "This is her first opening day" said Sarah about her daughter. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fan Camden Gunn, of Affton, reacts during the聽最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener pep rally on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
Ten-year-old 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fan Camila Monroy of Belleville reacts on Thursday, April 4, 2024, from her mother Niki Delgado's shoulders during the Cardinals home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
Members of Team Fredbird pep squad fire tee-shirts from the stage on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fan Roger Goodman of Granite City makes a toss to win a prize on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the Cardinals home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
"I have the best mother-in-law. She bought me this." 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fan Troy Reider of New Baden, Ill. reacts to a song on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the Cardinals home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals hype man Todd Thomas reacts as a fan attempts to sing on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
Left to right: Bonita Brown, Marnay Howard and Towane Walker dance to a song with the crowd on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the Cardinals home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fans attend the Cardinals home opener pep rally on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fan Dylan Featherly of High Ridge waits in line at Gate 5 of Busch Stadium on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before the Cardinals home opener game against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fan Tammy Norman of St. Charles claps along to music on Thursday, April 4, 2024, with Isabella Gaffney, 16, left, and Brandy, right, and 9-year-old Juliana Napolitano, during the Cardinals home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
One-year-old 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fan Da'Mari Hall dances to The Big Rigs band from his stroller on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the Cardinals home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
Dan McDowell, 73, from Granite City, dressed in layers to keep warm before the start of ceremonies in a game between between the Miami Marlins and the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals on home opener day at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) takes batting practice before the start of the Cardinals home opener against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, April, 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) signs autographs before the start of the Cardinals home opener against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, April, 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium.聽
Cassie Washington, left, of Florissant, poses with Lashonda King, of Florissant, while Tanesha King takes their photo at the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener pep rally in 最新杏吧原创 at Kiener Plaza in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Photo by Vanessa Abbitt, vabbitt@post-dispatch.com
Jason McAfee, from Illinois, holds a drink beside his large necklace wearing a themed three-piece suit at the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener pep rally in 最新杏吧原创 at Kiener Plaza in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Photo by Vanessa Abbitt, vabbitt@post-dispatch.com
Randolph Metcalfe, left, of 最新杏吧原创, and Leslie Metcalfe, show off their shoes for a photo at the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener pep rally in 最新杏吧原创 at Kiener Plaza in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Photo by Vanessa Abbitt, vabbitt@post-dispatch.com
Tasha B, a singer from Florissant, dances with her granddaughter (not pictured) at the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener pep rally in 最新杏吧原创 at Kiener Plaza in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Photo by Vanessa Abbitt, vabbitt@post-dispatch.com
Debbie Schaper pours a drink in Esteban "Taco" Perez's, of Roxana, Il., cup at the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener pep rally in 最新杏吧原创 at Kiener Plaza in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Both are wearing hats they've decorated themselves; Perez has hats for occasions such as Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day as well. Photo by Vanessa Abbitt, vabbitt@post-dispatch.com
A decked-out Cardinals car passes a group of fans before the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals play their first home game on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in downtown 最新杏吧原创. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Cardinals fans, including Diane Miller, 65, of Ste. Genevieve, center, watch as Clydesdale hander Drew Wilson prepares one of the Budweiser Clydesdales before the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals play their first home game on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in downtown 最新杏吧原创. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
The Budweiser Clydesdales walk past Busch Stadium along South Broadway Avenue before the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals play their first home game on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in downtown 最新杏吧原创. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Trevor McCullough, 39, from St. Ann, admires Busch Stadium near the statues of Cardinals legends before the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals play their first home game on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in downtown 最新杏吧原创. "I wear this to every Cardinals game," McCullough said of his outfit. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Mike Bostick lines up a car at the entrance to the home opener pep rally before the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals play their first home game on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Kiener Plaza in downtown 最新杏吧原创.聽
Tim Lorson, from left, Joe Stegall and Olivia Panopoulos stack beer before the opening day pep rally before the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals play their first home game on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Kiener Plaza in downtown 最新杏吧原创.
Eleven-year-old 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals fan Camden Gunn, left, of Affton, and Randy Thomas of Troy, Mo. react on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during the Cardinals home opener pep rally at Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium in downtown 最新杏吧原创. The Cardinals face the Miami Marlins in the team's home opener.
Suzie Carter wears her Cardinals Keds to the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, April, 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Fans watch the Budweiser Clydesdales take a lap during pre-game ceremonies before the start of the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals home opener against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, April, 4, 2024, at Busch Stadium. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
