Cardinals Record Incredible Feat For First Time In Over 60 Years

Now and then, there is a sporting event for the history books. That kind of game happened on Saturday in New York between the Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals held on for a 6-5 win marking their first victory at the new Yankee Stadium (2009-present, the last team to do so) and their first over the Yankees in the Bronx since Game 5 of the 1964 World Series (Oct. 12, 1964).

Adding to the historic victory are a couple of coincidences. St. Louis’ winning pitchers in 1964 and 2024 were both named Gibson – Bob in 1964 and Kyle on Saturday. Both play-by-play voices were both named Caray – Harry 40 years earlier and Chip on Saturday.

“When I heard about the Gibson thing, that’s pretty cool,” said Kyle, who saved an authenticated ball from the game to present to his father, Harold.

St. Louis closer Ryan Helsey, who was named an All-Stare for the second time earlier this season, also secured a piece of history as he saved his Major League Baseball-leading 42nd game in 45 tries. His 93.3 percent save percentage is the best in MLB, and he’s now one step closer to Trevor Rosenthal’s club record of 48 saves set in 2015.

Helsley acknowledged that breaking the club’s save record is a goal this season, as it reflects the Cardinals’ success.

“I’ve never been one to chase personal stats, but that’s one that would be really cool,” said Helsley, who joined Hall of Famers Bruce Sutter and Lee Smith as the only Cardinals relievers with multiple All-Star Game appearances. “Maybe at the end of the season, I can look back and say I got that [club record], but if not, I don’t think it’s a failure by any stretch. To be up there now with some Cardinals greats – and Rosenthal had a great career with the Cardinals, too – and be up there with [Jason Isringhausen], Sutter and Smith, it’s pretty surreal to me.”

It was fitting that the historic win came with best friends on the mound. Gibson and Helsey have a friendship that goes beyond the field.

“Hels and I have spent a lot of time getting breakfast and getting coffee, and it’s been fun to talk pitching with him this year,” Gibson said. “He has so much pitchability. He has so much confidence in his slider, his curveball is nasty, and he can keep you guessing as to when the 102 [mph] is coming. You expect the express every time, and you just never know when you’re going to get the 3-2 slider.”