The St. Louis Cardinals 1997 season was the team's 116th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 106th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 73-89 during the season and finished 4th in the National League Central division, 11 games behind the Houston Astros. Offseason December 4, 1996: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Cardinals. December 6, 1996: Tom Pagnozzi was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals. Regular season Season standings Record vs. opponents Roster Transactions June 3, 1997: 1997 Major League Baseball draft Rick Ankiel was drafted by the Cardinals in the 2nd round. Player signed August 28, 1997. Xavier Nady was drafted by the Cardinals in the 4th round, but did not sign. José Rodríguez was drafted by the Cardinals in the 24th round. Player signed July 15, 1997. June 13, 1997: Danny Jackson, Mark Sweeney and Rich Batchelor were traded by the Cardinals to the San Diego Padres for Scott Livingstone, Phil Plantier, and Fernando Valenzuela. July 29, 1997: Mike Gallego was released by the Cardinals. The Trade The beginning came on July 31, when the Cardinals acquired Mark McGwire from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for relief pitcher T.J. Mathews and minor league pitchers Eric Ludwick and Blake Stein. McGwire could have been a free agent at the end of the season. McGwire had 34 home runs and 81 RBIs with Oakland at the time of the trade, which reunited him with former Athletics manager Tony La Russa. The Cardinals were considered to have little chance of keeping him with the club beyond the final two months of the season. But general manager Walt Jocketty's deal figured to inject some excitement into a dull close to the season, since the Cardinals were far out of the race. They had begun their freefall in early July when left fielder Ron Gant had failed to make a routine catch which would have given the Cardinals a victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not only did the Pirates rally for that victory, but they also ended up sweeping the four-game series, knocking the Cardinals out of first place, and sending them reeling. McGwire hadn't expected to stay with Oakland, but he also didn't think he would end up with the Cardinals. McGwire's Impact The team was in the throes of a slump when their new first baseman arrived. On August 10,