The St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves game on Friday night almost didn't happen after a monster thunderstorm rolled through, but a nearly three-hour rain delay somehow ended with a playable field thanks to the incredible Busch Stadium grounds crew. This wasn't just a little drizzle, folks; we're talking full-on chaos, lightning and pouring rain that brought the game to a grinding halt after the third inning, tied 0-0. The entire league had to be wondering if this one was done for good.
Total Flood Zone!
Dude, you wouldn't believe the scene. Around 8 p.m. CT, St. Louis got absolutely hammered with a monster storm. The rain was just relentlessly dumping on Busch Stadium. It wasn't long before the field was completely unplayable, and we're talking serious floodwaters everywhere. Tricia Whitaker, the AppleTV sideline reporter, even showed clips of water actively pouring into the Cardinals' dugout. Braves radio's Ben Ingram captured the pure lake that Busch Stadium had become, sharing pics of flooding throughout the stadium. Seriously, the place was swamped.The Unsung Heroes Who Pulled Off a Miracle
But then, the rain finally quit around 9 p.m. CT, and the real MVPs stepped up: the Busch Stadium grounds crew. These guys went to work, and it was an absolute clinic. They rolled up the tarp, sure, but then they used these amazing broom-like devices to literally sweep huge puddles off the field. Plus, they brought out other gadgets, drying out some of the grass. In about an hour, after what looked like a total washout, they somehow delivered a field that was shockingly playable. Both Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol and Braves manager Walt Weiss walked the surface and gave it the green light. Talk about going above and beyond!Cards, Fantasy Football, and Sleepy Players
So, what were the players doing during this epic two-hour and 43-minute wait? Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy dished on it, saying the guys killed time with cards and some fantasy football talk, trying to keep the energy up and "things moving." But, let's be real, a 10:45 p.m. CT restart is brutal. McGreevy even admitted some players looked like they were "about to go to sleep" given the super late hour. You gotta wonder how they stayed locked in! The game actually resumed at 10:45 p.m. CT. The 0-0 tie got a wild new chapter, all thanks to some unbelievable work behind the scenes and the sheer will to play ball. The incredible effort by the grounds crew set the stage for the rest of the game, and you know everyone was glued to see how this crazy, late-night showdown would finish up. We'll be watching for the updates on how this unexpected drama unfolded!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.