Cardinals Also Ran in Chicago

[LeonardRachiele]

For years there were attempts to relocate the Chicago Cardinals. Finally they moved to St Louis after 1959. Restrictions in those days meant there were no televised games if even one team was at home. CBS could not televise a game within a 75 mile radius of the location. If both teams were away, the Bears had priority.

The ultimate snub was the Chicago Cardinals playing a home game in Buffalo on Sep 28, 1958. This was the first game of the season. The White Sox had a game at Cominsky Park. In those days there were 77 home games and teams often had double headers. Just picking a number at random, let's say there were seven double headers or 70 home dates. Each team played 12 games. To me, it made more sense to have the Cardinals play in Chicago and schedule the baseball game on another date. Six home games in football versus 77 for baseball. Go for the lesser number.

At Buffalo the New York Giants defeated the Cardinals 37 to 7. The Pittsburgh Steelers had their first game in San Francisco; it simply cost too much to televise this game to Pittsburgh. Without a game in the area, CBS could and did carry the Cards-Giants game in Pittsburgh.

[Crazy Packers Fan]

For years there were attempts to relocate the Chicago Cardinals. Finally they moved to St Louis after 1959. Restrictions in those days meant there were no televised games if even one team was at home. CBS could not televise a game within a 75 mile radius of the location. If both teams were away, the Bears had priority.

At Buffalo the New York Giants defeated the Cardinals 37 to 7. The Pittsburgh Steelers had their first game in San Francisco; it simply cost too much to televise this game to Pittsburgh. Without a game in the area, CBS could and did carry the Cards-Giants game in Pittsburgh.

Man, am I glad I didn't grow up in the blackout era. I did live in the "wait until :28/:58 on the hour to find out scores on ESPN" era, though.

[LeonardRachiele]

I have the details of this game on another post.