SALE SPARKS CARDINAL INTEREST

The St. Louis Cardinals are on the block. The announcement by Anheuser-Busch last week that it was selling the baseball franchise didn't create the howl that might have happened before the baseball strike. But it doesn't mean that Missourians aren't interested.

Most people expect the team to stay in St. Louis under new and hopefully more aggressive management. Many fans feel that the support of Anheuser-Busch for the team has sadly wavered since the death of the venerable August A. Busch Jr. in 1989. In the 1980s, the Cardinals twice drew more than 3 million fans during the season as they soared to three National League pennants.

The team is being sold as part of a package that also includes Busch Stadium and two downtown parking garages. That should encourage the new owner to remain in St. Louis. Renovations at Busch Stadium -- including the removal of the AstroTurf -- are continuing. It is a credit to the new manager Tony La Russa for accepting the post even though he knew of the sale plans.

The Cardinal radio network stretches throughout the region and the Midwest. People do care about the future of this professional baseball team. Make no mistake about it: Baseball fans' blood runs Cardinal red.