2000s NL Central vs Cubs
A century of hatred reignited in the tight confines of the NL Central during the 2000s.
The rivalry between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs stands as one of the most storied and intense in Major League Baseball history, a feud defined by geography, shared divisional alignment, and a century of competitive tension. While their battles span over a hundred years, the 2000s era marked a particularly fierce chapter within the NL Central, where both franchises vied for dominance with high-stakes playoff implications every season.
- Rivalry Type
- Divisional & Geographic
- League Alignment
- National League Central (since 1994)
- Key Era
- 2000s NL Central Race
- Stadium Context
- Busch Stadium II vs. Wrigley Field
- Fanbase Dynamic
- Intense, Long-standing Regional Hostility
Lore & Background
During this decade, the narrative was often driven by contrasting fortunes: St. Louis sought to cement its identity as the premier franchise in the Midwest, while Chicago struggled with the weight of its own legendary past. The tension was palpable at Wrigley Field and Busch Stadium II, where fans from both cities brought a fervor that turned regular-season matchups into de facto playoff games. The 2004 National League Championship Series, where the Cardinals defeated the Cubs in dramatic fashion, served as the emotional crescendo of this decade-long struggle.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Busch Stadium II was thick with humidity and anticipation on a sweltering September night. In the bottom of the ninth, with the bases loaded and two outs, the St. Louis dugout stood silent, eyes fixed on the batter who had just struck out in the previous inning against Chicago's ace. The crowd roared as the pitch crossed the plate—a foul tip that turned into a game-ending single, sending fans into a frenzy while the opposing bench slumped in disbelief. It was another chapter written in the long, bitter book of St. Louis versus Chicago.
Reader's Guide
The rivalry intensified significantly after the 1994 realignment created the NL Central, forcing two historic franchises to compete for the same division title every year. In the 2000s, this competition was characterized by tight races and dramatic finishes, with both teams often trading blows at the top of the standings.
Key outcomes included the Cardinals' consistent contention, highlighted by their World Series victory in 2006, while the Cubs faced a prolonged championship drought that fueled fan frustration. The 2004 NLCS remains the defining moment of this era, where St. Louis eliminated Chicago in seven games to advance to the World Series.
This rivalry defines the competitive landscape by setting a high standard for divisional play. It forces both teams to elevate their performance against a familiar foe, creating a dynamic where regular-season games carry playoff-level intensity and historical significance.
Did You Know?
- The 2004 NLCS is often cited as the most dramatic series between the two franchises in the modern era.
- Both teams play their home games in iconic parks that have hosted legends for over a century.
- The rivalry predates the NL Central, dating back to the early days of professional baseball.
- Fans from both cities often view this matchup as more significant than any other inter-city series.