Student Life's Best of St. Louis 2023, Washington University in St. Louis

Table

Things

Photo Essay: Missouri botanical garden Community picks Cultural grocery stores Where to go on the Metro

Julia Robbins Editor-in-Chief editor@studlife.com

Via Poolos Managing Senior Scene Editor scene@studlife.com

Jamila Dawkins Reilly Brady Managing Senior Forum Editors forum@studlife.com

Clara Richards Managing Senior Sports Editor sports@studlife.com

Ved Patel Managing Chief of Copy copy@studlife.com

Holden Hindes Managing Photo Editor photo@studlife.com

Kellen Wang Head of Design design@studlife.com

Tuesday Hadden Head of Illustration

James Ellinghaus Nina Giraldo

Avi Holzman Senior News Editors

Annabel Shen

Alice Gottesman Senior Scene Editors

Gracie Hime

Cathay Poulsen Chiefs of Copy

Our STL bucket lists New STL soccer team 23 Watching a Cardinals game

Elle Su Zoe Oppenheimer Senior Photo Editors

Camden Maggard Social Media Editor

Jared Adelman Senior Multimedia Editor multimedia@studlife.com

Sydney Tran Junior Design Editor

Jasmine Stone Junior Forum Editor

Jamie Nicholson Junior Photo Editor

Zara Shariff William Labrador Junior Scene Editors

Lily Taylor Zach Trabitz Aliana Mediratta Junior News Editors

Brooklyn Hollander Mia Burkholder

Samantha Elegant Copy Editors

Tim Mellman Newsletter Editor

Tony Tong Senior Web Editor

Paige Steuber Senior Web Designer

Adrienne Levin Coleman General Manager a.coleman@studlife.com

A letter from the editor...

Welcome to the Best of St. Louis Issue! This issue, like all of our special issues, couldn’t have been done without our design and illustration teams, our copy editors, our special issues editor, our photographers, and our writers. Thank you all.

Like many students at WashU, I didn’t really know much about the city until coming here for college, and it can feel easy to mainly stay on campus and not explore what St. Louis has to offer.

This issue is for those of you who are interested in learning more about how to have a wonderful time in St. Louis and appreciate all of its cultural sites and natural beauty. We hope

that in these pages, you’ll find inspiration for some fun weekend activities, ways to spend a tranquil afternoon, or places to eat on your next night out.

As a banner on the side of the road on Forsyth says, WashU is “Proud to be IN Saint Louis.” We all have a wonderful opportunity to live in one of the most culturally exciting cities in the country for at least four years, so go order your free U-Pass, board the Metro, and start seeing what the Gateway City has to offer!

Best (of),

Julia Robbins Editor-in-Chief

Julia Robbins

Things to do on a Friday night

1.

Just exploring the city in general! The WashU bubble can be super real sometimes, especially as a first-year, so it’s nice to leave. Even just Clayton or downtown can get you out of your typical surroundings. My friends and I like to get off the Metro at random stops — pretty safe if you’re in a big group!

— Grace Tyau, Special Editions Editor

2.

Sample ice cream around the city — perhaps more suitable in warmer months or for the weather-hardy, there are plenty of cold treats near campus. Clementine’s in DeMun is walkable, Jeni’s in the Central West End can be reached via the Metro, and if you can wrangle a car, Andy’s or Ted Drewes are delicious. After a long week, you deserve ice cream.

— Via Poolos, Managing Scene Editor

5.

Go to Union Station — you can get a bite to eat and also go on a Ferris wheel with an underwhelming view of STL. The whole area is fun and a nice little break from the rest of the suburban sprawl that we're used to in STL.

— Julia Robbins, Editor-in-Chief

3.

Go to Chabad! Kabbalat Shabbat services are the most energetic services I’ve ever experienced, and it’s a fantastic break from the nonstop work of the rest of the week. Over dinner, you can debate politics with friends, get advice from upperclassmen on classes to take, or just catch up with friends — all over a meal of delicious challah and a bowl of hot matzo ball soup.

— Tim Mellman, Newsletter Editor

6.

Go to a houseparty on Pershing or Waterman. Go to El Burro Loco!!

— Saish Satyal, Contributing Writer

4.

Puttshack is a great option for anyone over 21 because the course is attached to a nice bar. It's minigolf, but the fanciest minigolf you'll ever see! There are extra points, trivia questions, and hazard traps to avoid. It's in the Foundry near SLU, so a bit of a hike from campus, but totally worth the effort to get there with a group of friends.

— Clara Richards, Manag-

ing Sports Editor

7.

Take yourself on a date! If your Valentine's Day went as poorly as mine did, it’s long past time for some self-care. So take care of yourself: maybe start with a movie at Hi-Pointe and discuss the finer things in life (with yourself) over a nice steak at 801 Chophouse. Or just order in some Corner 17 and stream something off of Netflix — I'm not your mother. Hopefully you're a good date!

— Jamila Dawkins, Managing Forum Editor

8.

I'm someone who loves an event with a theme, so I'm always on the lookout for upcoming themed music and dance nights at various event spaces around St. Louis. For the Swifties out there, I can recommend multiple Taylor Swiftthemed events –– yes, they play exclusively Taylor Swift songs all night –– but these themed events extend be yond the Taylor Swift fans. Other events of this kind I've attended or heard of also include a Dolly Parton-themed country music event and a Back to the 2000's event. Most of these events are 18+ and, thus,

are a great opportunity for the vast majority of students at WashU. While some

Hill Duck Room. — Reilly Brady, Managing Forum Editor

Blueberry

Illustrations by Tuesday Hadden

Our favorite restaurants

BLUE OCEAN

GRACE MEAT + THREE

For some great fried chicken and a homey feel, take the Metro Eastbound and get off at Cortex to go to Grace Meat + Three! Their Southern cooking doesn't disappoint, and their cozy atmosphere makes it perfect for lunch or dinner with friends. Plus, you can

SUSHI AI

Sushi AI in downtown Clayton has $15 allyou-can-eat sushi and appetizers for

Tuesday Hadden, Head of Illustration

get three generously-sized chicken tenders for only $6. My only warning: once you go, you won't be able to stop thinking about it… especially when eating a BD half-and-half.

Mia Burkholder, Copy Editor

SOUP DUMPLINGS STL

Soup Dumplings STL on Olive Boulevard is so good! They have great authentic soup dumplings with a variety of fillings, such as pork, chicken, and shrimp. There is no wall between the seating area and the kitch-

en, so you can watch the chefs make the dumplings by hand. You need to drive from campus to get there, but it is worth the trip!

James Ellinghaus, Senior News Editor

TAI KE SHABU SHABU

For fans of Corner 17 looking to try a new restaurant, I recommend Tai Ke Shabu Shabu! Their portion sizes are generous, and they have an excellent array of dishes to choose from, ranging from Taiwanese street snacks to hearty hot wok entrees. My personal

favorites are gua bao and their chili stir fry chicken. Although Tai Ke is unfortunately not accessible by Metro, it's only a 10-minute drive from campus, and the restaurant rarely has any wait time.

— Disha Chatterjee, Contributing Editor

BOWOOD BY NICHE

Bowood by Niche is a great place for brunch! The buttermilk pancakes there are so incredible. I'm lactose intolerant and would literally still go back to get those blueberry buttermilk pancakes again. Also, the

aesthetic of the restaurant is lovely, with a cute plant shop at the front and a greenhouse outside.

Jordan Spector, Staff Writer

beer. Outside, it has a clay bocce court where patrons uting Writer

Illustrations by Ryan Davis

See the Missouri Botanical Garden!

Julia Robbins Editor-in-Chief

The Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark near campus that is home to a beautiful display of botany and horticulture. The Garden is 11 minutes away from campus by car and is open Tuesday - Sunday from 9 a.m - 5 pm. Some of the exhibits at the Garden include the Chinese

Garden, the English Woodland Garden, the Ottoman Garden, and the Victorian District. The facility accepts cashless payments only and recommends that guests order e-tickets in advance to ensure faster entry. The cost is $14 for general admission and $6 for the STL Resident Rate. Check out the Garden’s website for updated information on exhibits at the Garden and to find out what’s in bloom this season!

Matthew Tiemann Student Life

From our community...

What’s a hidden gem in St. Louis?

1. STL Union Depot and the Whispering Arch.

— Justin Reiling, Senior

2. Milquetoast, Tick Tock Tavern, Maypop Coffee, and Garden Shop.

— Lara Caldie, Gephardt Institute Marketing and Communications Coordinator

3. The Fountain on Locust

— not sure if it’s a hidden gem, but we love the ice cream shakes there. And also the Gin Room — the owner Natasha is the only American and the only woman to be in the Gin Hall of Fame.

— Anonymous community

4. Sugarwitch.

— Anonymous community member

5. Dogtown.

— Anonymous senior

6. Great Harvest Bread Co. in Maplewood.

— Kaitlin Day, Graduate student

7. Milo’s Bocce Garden on The Hill or Courtesy Diner.

— Anonymous sophomore

8. Protzel’s Deli.

— Noah Cunningham Baker, Sophomore

9. South Grand has old

What has surprised you about living in St. Louis?

1. Customer service — an “I don’t owe you anything” attitude, but in a good way.

—- Justin Reiling, Senior

2. It is so affordable, and the weather is not so bad after all. It’s so lush and green. Great food scene. I miss St. Louis!

— Anonymous parent

3. The rent is super cheap, and it’s super easy to get around to different neighborhoods!

— Kaitlin Day, Graduate student

4. The lack of traffic and great Italian food.

— Anonymous senior

5. Much cooler things to do than I had thought.

— Noah Cunningham Baker, Sophomore

6. The sports fans are deeply committed, (mostly) polite, and have a deep understanding of the games.

— Kim Cummins, Assistant Dean

Illustration by Tuesday Hadden

What’s on your STL bucket list?

1. Lona’s Lil Eats, Polite Society restaurant, ‘ssissipi wine bar, Calvary Cemetery (Dred Scott’s grave)

— Justin Reiling, Senior

2. Going to the top of the Compton Hill Water Tower during a full moon.

— Lara Caldie, Gephardt Institute Marketing and Communications Coordinator

3. The Armory.

— Anonymous faculty member

4. City Museum, Art Museum, Cherokee Street.

— Anonymous sophomore

5. Bogart’s Smokehouse.

— Anonymous sophomore

6. A STL City SC Game.

— Kaitlin Day, Graduate student

7. Roof of the City Museum.

— Kim Cummins, Assistant Dean

What sets St. Louis apart from other

cities?

— Justin Reiling, Senior

2. We have so much green space and less pressure to develop it than other cities because we aren’t experiencing population growth. Access to nature in urban corridors here is much better than a lot of places, which improves the quality of life for humans and increases biodiversity broadly. St. Louis has one of the highest urban bee populations in the U.S. because of the combination of vacant lots and city parks!

— Lara Caldie, Gephardt Institute Marketing and Communications Coordinator

3. The people.

— Anonymous parent

Give

1. St. Louis has great urban fabric and can be explored well on foot and with transit.

— Justin Reiling, Senior

2. Gooey Butter cake needs to be done just right or it’s gross.

— Anonymous faculty member

3. Sauce on the Side is mid.

— Kaitlin Day, Graduate student

hot take!

4. The tap water is elite. Apparently it’s ranked the best in the country?

— Anonymous Sophomore

5. The dog museum is boring.

4. City Museum.

— Anonymous faculty

5. Everything is approachable — from professional sports to concerts to restaurants to farmers markets and everything in between, I’m never afraid to try something new!

— Kaitlin Day, Graduate student

6. Lack of traffic, great healthcare systems, unique architecture, and rich history.

— Anonymous sophomore

7. Centrally located, low cost of living, and amazing sites that have no entry fee!

— Kim Cummins, Assistant Dean

Cultural Grocery Stores

Disha Chatterjee Contributing Writer

GLOBAL FOODS

If you’re like me and had a difficult adjustment trading your beloved home-cooked meals for BD’s Tikka Tuesdays, you’ll find solace in knowing you can recreate your favorite cultural dishes by taking a trip to Global Foods.

Admittedly, you will need a little time to spare if you’re making the 20-minute drive to Global Foods, located south of campus in Kirkwood. You’ll also want some extra time to peruse every aisle, browsing through

specialty items and basking in nostalgia. I immediately felt at home wandering into the Indian aisle — I found all the staples used in my kitchen back home, like kashmiri chili powder or garam masala.

The sheer amount of products at Global Foods is reason alone to go. From smoked sprats in oil to cold brews featuring BTS members on the can, it’s unlikely you’ll leave Global Foods empty-handed. In addition to carrying a rather large

selection of vegetables, you can also find uncommon fruits, like dragon fruit or durians, there.

I wouldn’t exactly call Global Foods affordable, but considering the novelty of many of its items, it’s a worthy price to pay.

DI GREGORIO’S ITALIAN MARKET

I stumbled across Di Gregorio’s in my quest to make tiramisu at home. I figured a grocery store located in The Hill, St. Louis’ Italian-American neighborhood, would have mascarpone and ladyfingers. I discovered that they did, as well as several other gourmet ingredients and a deli counter.

I purchased a pricey, high-quality olive oil from their wide selection. I browsed through the frozen section, which featured several pastas I was tempted to buy. I selected a slab of Parmigiano-Reggiano from the multitude of cheeses offered. Although I wasn’t in search of any meats, I learned that they offered 38 different types of sausages.

The people working at the store have always been friendly to me, striking up conversations about tiramisu ingredients or complimenting my choice in olive oil. Again, Di Gregorio’s isn’t the most affordable, but for the quality of the

products and for supporting a local grocery store, I would definitely say it’s worth it.

You might be hard-pressed to find parking right next to Di Gregorio’s, but it’s more of a blessing than a curse. You’ll find one of the best bakeries in St. Louis (Missouri Baking Company) and restaurants like Zia’s or Charlie Gitto’s all within a walkable distance. You can turn the chore of grocery shopping into a day out — an exploration of all the delectable dishes The Hill has to offer.

For a more affordable alternative to United Provisions, my favorite place to shop is Olive Supermarket, situated in St. Louis’ informal Chinatown. Although, unfortunately, inaccessible by Metro, it’s only a 10-minute drive north of campus.

One of the perks of shopping at Olive Supermarket is Cube Tea Studio, a small bubble tea shop situated right outside of the supermarket. It features a variety of drinks, ranging from Salted Cheese Mango Strawberry Green Teas to Green Apple Slushies with Lychee Jelly, but my

personal favorite is their nofrills Cube Classic Milk Tea with boba.

Olive Supermarket boasts a wide snack selection, like Pocky Sticks or mango jelly candies, that extends beyond Paws & Go classics like Pocky Sticks or mango jelly candies. They have a great range of wellpriced pastries, ramens, and candies. Their frozen section is stocked to the brim, especially with lots of locally made pork buns and dumplings.

Olive Supermarket carries cooking essentials required in several East

RIDE ON to even thriftier

Asian cuisines. I’ve bought fermented bean paste, Shaoxing wine, and several other ingredients that I’ve struggled to find at other grocery stores. Though I haven’t explored their meat or seafood selection, Yelp notes that cuts like pork belly, spare ribs, and chicken feet can be found there.

Another perk of shopping at Olive is the cheap houseware items. My favorite pair of matching soup spoons and bowls are from there, and I’m sure I’ll return to buy steamers or woks in the future.

Illustrations by Charlotte Chen

Things to do when the weather’s nice

1.

This is basic, but Art Hill in Forest Park! You could run or walk so easily from campus, and the view is a great reward. On a good day, you can see families, dogs, cute couples, and maybe a birthday party. Bonus points if the sun is going down and you can watch it set over the Basin.

— Grace Tyau, Special Issues Editor

2.

Another basic answer, but the Missouri Botanical Garden! It has free admission for WashU students on certain days of the week, and with spring coming up, the flowers will be in full bloom. It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon by yourself or with friends and take an idyllic stroll.

— Annabel Shen, Senior Scene Editor

3.

The farmer's market at Tower Grove is the best on a spring Saturday morning! It's a fantastic place to find flowers, groceries, handcrafted pottery, cool prints, and everything in between. On a nice day, it's a fun place to wander around and window shop, too.

— Clara Richards, Managing Sports Editor

4. Outing Club trips are great year-round, but are especially appealing in the warmer months. You can sign up for a variety of experiences, such as a sunrise hike, a day trip, or a full weekend camping excursion. There’s nothing quite like jumping in a cold lake on a warm day or climbing a spring-green tree instead of studying in the library. As a massive added bonus, all Outing Club trips are completely free!

— Via Poolos, Managing Scene Editor

5.

Nothing beats a nap outside on a grassy hill of your choice.

— Tim Mellman, Newsletter Editor

6.

Art Hill. Go on a walk. Mudd Field.

— Saish Satyal, Contributing Writer

7.

Kennedy Forest in Forest Park is perfect if you want to feel like you’re in the woods, but you only have an hour and your feet to get you there. It’s small but free, and you can walk around in circles for as long as you want.

— Lily Taylor, Junior News Editor

Illustration by Ryan Davis

Museums and cultural institutions around the city

Emily Woodruff Class of 2024

As a St. Louis native, I spent my summers visiting a variety of St. Louis museums and attractions. It surprises me that many students never venture off campus to check out these fascinating (and mostly free) places. Here is a list (in no particular order) of some of my favorite museums and sites to visit in St. Louis.

Saint Louis Art Museum

Most students know about the Saint Louis Art Museum, located in Forest Park, but not everyone who knows about it has actually visited. It is definitely worth (at least) one visit. The museum has a huge collection with many different types of art, from modern to mummies to renaissance to photography. They also rotate their exhibits quite often, so you can see new things every time you go. The Saint Louis Art Museum also hosts interesting events, some of which they gear towards young adults.

The Arch

Despite being ‘the thing’ St. Louis is known for, many people have never been to the top of the Arch, but it is definitely worth a visit. The recently remodeled museum has interactive exhibits that allow you to learn about, and in some cases experience, the history of St. Louis. While you might feel cramped riding the tram to the top, the view is breathtaking. If you are at the top, though, you may feel the Arch slightly swaying. That’s not in your head. That’s real. The Arch moves slowly back and forth, though it’s still perfectly safe. The Arch grounds also have an amazing park with many paths you can walk around on, or bring a blanket to study on.

The History Museum

If you want to learn about the history of St. Louis and Missouri, the Missouri History Museum is a great starting point. The building itself is also very beautiful and has a fountain in front for pictures. The museum also rotates some exhibits, so you can go several times and see different things. They also have lectures and music events on Thursday evenings if you are looking for something to do.

The Old Courthouse/ Kiener Plaza Park

Just across the street from the Arch is the Old Courthouse and Kiener Plaza Park. The Courthouse is best known as the site of the Dred Scott case. You can see a statue of Scott and his wife, Harriet Scott, outside the building. The inside of the Courthouse has many beautiful paintings, restored courtrooms, and several historical exhibits. While the Old Courthouse is currently closed for renovations, it will hopefully open up very soon. Just in front of the Old Courthouse is Kiener Plaza Park. It’s a great place to get an amazing picture with the Old Courthouse and the Arch. It also has beautiful fountains and an ice rink (if you go in the winter).

The Fed/Economy Museum

free!

If you have ever wanted to see a cube full of a million dollars, you need to visit the Economy Museum at the St. Louis Fed. Not many people know about this museum, but it is a unique place to visit, whether or not you like (or understand) economics. You can interact with many of the exhibits in this museum and learn about what the federal reserve actually does. You can also see a giant penny and a 28-pound gold bar if that sounds more interesting to you.

Science Center

free admission, some exhibits cost more

Located on the edge of Forest Park by the Central West End, The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the coolest places in St. Louis. They have a huge planetarium where you can learn about the constellations or watch a laser show to Taylor Swift music. They also have an Omnimax theater where you can go see their rotating documentaries or a more popular movie if you attend their First Friday events. The Science Center also has giant mechanical dinosaurs, a build-your-own arch exhibit, and a glass bridge over the highway. Pro tip: if you visit, go in through the less-crowded Planetarium entrance.

City Museum

$20 for admission

The City Museum is not a museum. It is basically a giant indoor jungle gym. Complete with two 10-story slides, a giant indoor tree house, a man-made cave, the world’s largest pencil, and a Ferris wheel on the roof, the City Museum is one of the coolest places that students never visit. I would highly recommend spending a Saturday checking this place out. If you do go though, wear clothes that you are comfortable climbing around in and getting a little dirty.

Illustrations by Ryan Davis

StudLife Staff’s St. Louis bucket list

1. Linedancing

Feeling very Midwestern. I’ve heard good things about line dancing and other cowboythemed events at PBR St. Louis. Hoping to recreate my Footloose dreams!

— Amelia Raden, Staff Writer

2. The Mardi Gras Parade

I’ve never been, and I feel like everything I’ve heard of it is so chaotic. I’m really hoping to be able to go next year since it’s the second-largest in the country and a unique St. Louis experience!

— Jordan Spector, Staff Writer

3. Balloon Glow

I’ve never made the hike down to Forest Park in the fall, but the pictures of paper lanterns and hot air balloons make me jealous every year.

— Via Poolos, Managing Scene Editor

4. Do the marathon

I’m certainly not going to do this anywhere, but if I were going to, I might as well do it here! There are so many different vibes to neighborhoods in STL, so I would have to imagine that doing the race here would be interesting!

— Julia Robbins, Editor-inChief

5. The Protagonist Cafe

If you are open to traveling a bit farther than Olin to do some work or just chill with a book, the Protagonist Cafe is a book- and coffee-lover’s dream — or for anyone who is looking for an eclectic/comfy atmosphere. The Protagonist Cafe is a “literary cafe” with delicious coffee and a full library of vintage books. It feels like it’s straight from Stars Hollow.

— Sylvie Richards, Staff Writer

Please join us for our last public lecture this semester:

The Pope at War: The Secret History of Pius XII, Mussolini, and Hitler

March 27 7:00-8:30PM

Graham Chapel

Washington University in St. Louis

Reception immediately following

Public lecture by David Kertzer

Please register at rap.wustl.edu

Free and open to all

Sponsors:

DIVISION OF MISSION AND IDENTITY

Oh St. Louis City…

Jared Adelman Senior Multimedia Editor

St. Louis takes its sports seriously. The Cardinals continually rank in the top three MLB teams for average attendance, beating out every team except the Dodgers last year. The energy inside the

Enterprise Center after a Blues goal can get even the uninterested fan out of their seat to sing and cheer. For a mid-size market, St. Louis fans’ commitment to their sports team is astonishingly high.

For the first time since the Rams returned to Los Angeles, St. Louis fans will

The energy is contagious

If you have never been to a professional soccer match, games are unlike any other sport in the US. For one, every soccer team has a group of “ultras” or really, really passionate fans. They stand and sing for the entire game, often waving flags or beating drums. The St. Louligans are the official supporter group for STLSC and after just a few minutes, you’ll be chanting “Oh St. Louis City” over and over again. However the passion doesn’t end with the St. Louligans, it starts with them. STLSC set the MLS record for amount of season ticket deposits placed within 24 hours, showing the widespread support the team has from the city. While expectations on the field remain modest, the fan experience is enough to justify going.

have three professional teams to cheer for with the introduction of soccer team St. Louis City SC (STLSC). I was fortunate enough to attend an exhibition match between STLSC and the German team Bayern Leverkusen last fall at the awe-inspiring CITYPARK stadium. Despite

temperatures dipping below freezing during the game, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the STLSC game. Here are a few reasons that everyone from a weekly Champions League viewer to someone brand new to soccer should make their way over to CITYPARK:

CITYPARK is gorgeous

The nearly $460 million dollar development by Union Station is testament to the growth of soccer in the US. The beautiful red accent lights on the white stadium at night are breath-taking. The stadium’s depth and angle of seating mean that no seat is more than 120 feet from the field, bringing fans closer to the action. Additionally, the stadium’s urban setting means that it is Metro accessible and seamlessly flows into the city landscape. Lastly, the culinary options that exist at CITYPARK help weave the culture of STL into the team. Local favorites like Balkan Treat Box and Farmtruk have locations inside the main concourse of the stadium. The intimate and modern feel of the stadium is key to supporting the vibrant fan experience.

Professional soccer in the US is gaining popularity and notoriety

The 2022 Men's World Cup Final attracted record audiences in the US, with over 25 million fans tuning in to watch on an early Saturday morning. MLS ratings have continued to increase year over year and youth soccer participation is growing faster than any other sport in the US. The rise in popularity has translated into substantive developments on the field for the MLS. Major stars in the prime of their careers are making the move to MLS in order to bolster their career resumes. All this is to say that the quality of soccer played at CITYPARK

is going to rise and bring up the fan experience with it. While the analytics predict a rather unsuccessful season for STLSC, that’s not uncommon for an expansion team in its first season. Becoming an MLS fan this early on will be a worthwhile investment as the league continues to develop. Sports become so much more interesting to watch when you follow the team and have a vested interest in its outcome.

In order to temper the expectations I’ve likely set too high, there are a few things to note about going to an STLSC game.

One, tickets are going to be overpriced for this first season. Given the high volume of season ticket deposits, demand for tickets is high and the supply is well, fixed at 22,500. Second, there are still logical elements that a team has to work through during their first season, on and off the pitch. Issues with crowd control and utilities have been an issue in test runs of the stadium previously. Additionally, as mentioned above, many pundits have already counted STLSC out of the playoff picture heading into this year. So, if you are a

self-described fair weather fan, this might not be the best year to go.

Nonetheless, make it your mission to get to a game at some point before your time at Washington University is over. St Louis is often described as one of the original soccer towns in America. Two U.S. World Cup starters are from the greater St. Louis region. Getting an MLS team is, in many ways, recognition of St. Louis’s commitment to their teams. WashU students should be a part of that support going forward.

Illustration by Tuesday Hadden

Catch a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium

Ian Heft Staff Writer

Less than a 30-minute Metro ride from campus, Busch Stadium is one of baseball’s best stadiums and home to the St. Louis Cardinals — 11-time World Champions. Head downtown to catch a game from April through October, and make sure to get to the ballpark early to take in the game day festivities. Grab a hot dog from the concession stands or some barbeque from Salt + Smoke in the neighboring Ballpark Village.

Despite a disappointing showing in last year’s

playoffs and the retirements of future Hall of Famers

Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, the Cardinals enter 2023 with one of the best rosters in baseball. Reigning National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt brings an elite combination of hitting for power and average at First Base, while 10-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado enters his third season as a Cardinal and as one of baseball’s best two-way players. Add in Free Agent signing Wilson Contreras, who signed a 5-year deal in the off-season to replace Molina; defensive wizard Tommy Edman; and fan-favorite outfielders Lars Nootbar and Dylan Carlson,

and the Cards’ lineup packs its pop.

The squad’s pitching isn’t too shabby, either. The rotation will, once again, be led by veteran Adam Wainwright, in his 18th and final season with the team. And what the Birds lack in pitching-star power, they make up for in depth —

Expect the Cardinals, who haven't had a losing record in 15 years, to once again be in the neighborhood of 90 wins and once again secure a playoff spot.

Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery, and Steven Matz are all solid options.

Zoe Oppenheimer | Student Life