During the first year of the William DeWitt, Jr. era, the Cardinals went 88–74 during the season and won their first-ever National League Central title by six games over the Houston Astros.

They beat the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, but fell in 7 games to the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS after being up 3–1.

DeWitt, along with Drew Bauer and Fred Hanser had bought the Cardinals from Anheuser-Busch during the 1995-96 offseason.

Infielders Coaches Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg.

= Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts St. Louis wins the series, 3-0 October 9: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta October 10: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta October 12: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri October 13: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri October 14: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri October 16: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta October 17: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta [3]