ST. LOUIS – Some St. Louis Cardinals fans have been surprised to see many empty seats at Busch Stadium during games following Thursday’s home opener win.

The announced attendance for Monday night’s game was 21,206, the smallest crowd at Busch Stadium III for a St. Louis Cardinals game. The previous low was slightly below 30,000 fans for a game last August. 

 “It kind of upset me a little bit,” said Scott Ross, a longtime St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Across the street from the ballpark, Kelly Boschert was grilling up hot dogs for K’s Unique Dogs.  He believes weather has been a major factor.

“When they’re calling for tornados and baseball-sized hail, it’s hard to come to a baseball game,” Boschert said.

A small crowd watched the Cardinals play Monday night as fans bundled up in coats and blankets amid temperatures dipping into the mid-40s.

“St. Louis is known for being a baseball town so as long as the Cardinals keep winning and giving the effort, I think fans will come back,” said Keith Lee, a St. Louis Cardinals fan who attended Monday night’s game.

Some fans say the early enthusiasm they’ve seen from the team has fueled renewed interest.

“I hope to see them get in the playoffs,” said Rob Wright, a St. Louis Cardinals fan who traveled from Jonesboro, Illinois, to see Monday night’s game.

Wright said it’s been a while since he’s worn winter clothes to the ballpark. The next time, he hopes he will be watching the Cardinals play into October.   

“The last time I wore this jacket was probably game seven of the 2011 World Series,” Wright said.