Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch
Lead baseball writer
In extra innings Friday night, as the bare-chested, shirt-twirling, loud-chanting crowd inspired by a college baseball club that electrified Busch Stadium reached full volume — in noise and in size — shortstop Masyn Winn bounced into the dugout and shouted at his teammates.
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Cardinals second baseman Thomas Saggese (25) slides safely past Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) during the fifth inning of a game Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
A section of shirtless fans cheer on the Cardinals during the eighth inning of a game against the Royals on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Daniel Guerrero joined columnist Lynn Worthy to analyze the team’s recent series against the Padres as well as Thomas Saggese’s return and a notable minor league move.
Photos: Cardinals hold off Royals in Saturday matinee
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) runs to second on a stolen base attempt against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a one run sacrifice fly against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits a single against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Isaac Collins (1) dives and catches a line drive hit by St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (not pictured) during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron (65) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy pitches against the Royals during the first inning Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron (65) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy (62) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron (65) pitches against St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird takes off his jersey and celebrates after the Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
A section of shirtless fans cheer on the Cardinals during the eighth inning of a game against the Royals on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A bald eagle flies through the stadium before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals during military appreciation day at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A bald eagle flies through the stadium before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals during military appreciation day at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Cardinals mascot Fredbird takes off his jersey and celebrates after the Cardinals defeated the Royals on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A section of shirtless fans celebrate after the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A section of shirtless fans celebrate after the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A bald eagle flies through the stadium before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals during military appreciation day at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A bald eagle flies through the stadium before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals during military appreciation day at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A section of shirtless fans celebrate after the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A bald eagle flies through the stadium before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals during military appreciation day at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Cardinals second baseman Thomas Saggese (25) slides safely past Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) during the fifth inning of a game Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird takes off his jersey and celebrates after the Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy (62) delivers during the sixth inning of a game against the Royals on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Thomas Saggese (25) slides safely past Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A section of shirtless fans cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning of a game against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A section of shirtless fans celebrate after the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A section of shirtless fans cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning of a game against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A section of shirtless fans cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning of a game against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) right fielder Jordan Walker (18) and left fielder Nathan Church (27) celebrate after the Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A section of shirtless fans celebrate after the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
