The St. Louis Cardinals made a splash last week, acquiring right-hander Dustin May from the Boston Red Sox. But while May brings his signature stuff to the mound, one thing he won’t be bringing with him is his old jersey number.
During his time in Boston, May wore No. 85.
That number, however, won’t be an option in St. Louis-and for good reason.
The Cardinals retired No. 85 back in 1984 to honor August “Gussie” Busch Jr., the iconic former owner who played a massive role in shaping the modern identity of the franchise. The number was retired on Busch’s 85th birthday, a symbolic tribute to a man who didn’t just own the team-he helped save it.
May acknowledged during his introductory press conference that he’ll need to pick a new number by spring. But even that process might not be so simple.
No. 58, another potential choice, is currently taken by reliever Chris Roycroft. So, May’s jersey reveal will have to wait a little longer.
This marks another chapter in what’s been a winding journey for May. After starting his career with the Dodgers, he made the move to Boston last season.
There, he posted a 7-11 record with a 4.97 ERA and racked up 123 strikeouts. It was a mixed bag of a season-flashes of the electric stuff that made him a top prospect, but also the inconsistencies that left Red Sox fans divided when the trade went down.
Now, in St. Louis, May gets a fresh start with one of baseball’s most storied franchises. And when it comes to history, few teams wear it more proudly than the Cardinals.
Gussie Busch’s legacy is a big part of that. Back in 1953, the Cardinals were teetering on the edge of leaving St.
Louis. That’s when Busch, then head of Anheuser-Busch, stepped in and bought the team.
It wasn’t just a business move-it was a lifeline. Under his leadership, the Cardinals became a model organization.
He invested in the farm system, modernized operations, and made groundbreaking moves-including signing Tom Alston, the first Black player in franchise history.
Busch also spearheaded the renovation of Sportsman’s Park, which was eventually renamed Busch Stadium. And the results?
They speak for themselves. Six National League pennants and three World Series titles (1964, 1967, 1982) during his tenure.
That’s not just ownership-that’s stewardship.
Today, the Cardinals are one of the most respected and enduring brands in Major League Baseball. Their list of retired numbers reads like a who's who of baseball royalty: Bob Gibson (45), Stan Musial (6), Ozzie Smith (1), Dizzy Dean (17), Lou Brock (20), and of course, Gussie Busch’s 85.
For Dustin May, joining a club with that kind of legacy is both an opportunity and a challenge. He’s got the talent.
Now, in a city that lives and breathes baseball, he’ll have the stage to match. The number on his back might change-but the expectations in St.
Louis are always the same: compete, contend, and carry on the tradition.