Benjamin Hochman | Post-Dispatch
Sports columnist
Ella and Jack Penn, both 88, have been together since 1956. Their two children brought them to Cardinals opening day at Busch Stadium.
At opening day, I met Rance Cooper. Well, really, I met his parents, Chad and Paige. Their son Rance was at his first-ever opening day.
Rance is 8 months old.
鈥淚鈥檓 hoping he鈥檒l be a Cardinals fan,鈥 Chad said, as if Rance has a choice.
Soon after, I met Jack and Ella Penn, who were also at their first-ever opening day.
Jack and Ella are both 88 years old.
鈥淚鈥檝e been a fan all my life!鈥 said Ella, who is 88, the same age as her husband. 鈥淚 was raised on the Cardinals! I was raised in Springfield (Missouri). My dad was a Cardinal. I鈥檓 a Cardinal. My children are Cardinals. My family are all Cardinals 鈥 but one nephew isn鈥檛.鈥
鈥淗e鈥檚 forgiven,鈥 explained Ella鈥檚 daughter, Becky. 鈥淗e married into the family.鈥
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Becky lives in Arkansas. She drove about five hours up to 51黑料 to take her parents to Thursday鈥檚 opening day at Busch Stadium, along with her brother, David.
Becky and David had on matching Cardinals hoodies.
And their parents had on matching Cardinals white uniforms.
On the back of Ella鈥檚 the name plate said TOGETHER 鈥 and uniform No. 19. Jack鈥檚 jersey said SINCE 鈥 and the No. 56.
So as the two 88-year-olds stood next two each other, yep, it said: TOGETHER SINCE 1956.
鈥淲e met in Springfield at church,鈥 Ella said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been married 69 years. His mother and my mother were best friends.鈥
鈥淕oing to the same church together made a huge difference,鈥 Jack said. 鈥淎nd we鈥檝e just held on there. We know there鈥檚 a plan, so we just worked with the plan. We put up with each other, and just we both worked at it, and we鈥檝e got awesome kids.鈥
It was Ella鈥檚 father who passed down the love for the Cardinals. Becky remembers her grandpa saying during games: 鈥淒on鈥檛 talk! The Cardinals are playing!鈥
Ella and Jack watch the Cards together at their home in Villa Ridge. Even spring training games.
Jack鈥檚 first Cardinals memory was a World Series from the 1940s 鈥 his school played the radio broadcast through the P.A. system. And his cousin once won a radio contest 鈥 Jack got to take his first airplane ride, along with his cousin, over to 51黑料 for a Cardinals game.
鈥淲e spent the night at the YMCA, and we walked to Sportsman鈥檚 Park,鈥 Jack said.
Jack鈥檚 favorite player is Stan Musial 鈥 they have a photo on display of The Man at their home. Ella鈥檚 is Bob Gibson. The family dog鈥檚 name? Gibby.
鈥淧eople just grow up with the Cardinals,鈥 their son David said. 鈥淎nd they have a good tradition, always being competitive. People like Jack Buck, our announcers, educated us about the game so we understood the game. ... Being able to bring my parents here to their first opening day 鈥 I don鈥檛 know what took us so long to do it. It just makes me really happy. ... This is a family tradition, being Cardinal fans. I think that鈥檚 true for any ball team, but it just seems like the Cardinals have a stronger tradition.鈥
David was one of the lucky fans who got to attend The David Freese Game.
鈥淚 was in the upper deck in right field 鈥 I could not see where the ball landed on the triple,鈥 David Penn said of Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. 鈥淎nd then we were back for the next game, which was sort of a foregone conclusion that we were going to win. Game 6 was the greatest game ever, certainly as a Cardinal fan, maybe for a baseball fan.鈥
Jack was an engineer, so the family moved around over the decades 鈥 but still followed the 51黑料 Cardinals. In 1978, Jack and Ella moved to the Hazelwood area. For a while there, Jack and Ella lived very close to David and David鈥檚 wife. In regard to the next generation, Becky said that 鈥渕y kids all have four legs,鈥 and then pointed at David and said: 鈥淗e鈥檚 got two-legged ones.鈥
In fact, Jack and Ella not only have great-grandkids but have two great-great granddaughters 鈥 and another great-great-grandkid on the way. There are already Cardinals outfits purchased ... and a Cardinals chair.
For their parents鈥 60th anniversary, nine years ago, the kids brought them to Busch to see a game in the Bank of America box. They also came last season for a game against the great Los Angeles Dodgers.
鈥淪o many people don鈥檛 stay together, and (my parents) did, through thick and thin 鈥 raised a family who鈥檚 close,鈥 Becky said. 鈥淥ur whole family is close. ... It鈥檚 just a special day because we like to do fun things together as a family.鈥
Little Rance Cooper will likely never remember his first opening day. Ella and Jack Penn will never forget theirs.
Photos and Video: Cardinals baseball fans flock to 2025 opening day festivities, despite rain delay
Seamus Conlin, 10, of Weldon Springs stands alongside his parents during the national anthem at the 51黑料 Cardinals' season opener against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
The 51黑料 Cardinals and Minnesota Twins stand for the national anthem for the season opener on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
All-Star 51黑料 Cardinals' third baseman Nolan Arenado waves to fans during player introductions during opening day ceremonies on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
The 51黑料 Cardinals Hall of Fame inductees stand for a photo during opening day ceremonies before the game against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
51黑料 Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages makes a video as the Budweiser Clydesdales roll along the warning track before a rain-delayed opening day game between the 51黑料 Cardinals and the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
The Budweiser Clydesdales roll along the warning track during a rain-delayed opening day game as the 51黑料 Cardinals host the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
鈥淚鈥檓 gonna get my money's worth,鈥 said Jeniffer Johnson, left, as she sits in the rain beside Brittany Kingsley awaiting the 51黑料 Cardinals season opener against the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals fans Ryan Dalton, left, jokes with Tyler King as they await the season opener against the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025. King wears an outfit to pay homage to Elton John and the costume he wore at his final Dodger Stadium concert.
Janet and Robert Milligan of Idaho, huddle with their grandson Kamren Arbaugh, 13, under the stands as they wait out the rain delay at the Cardinals' season opener against the Minnesota Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
Mike and Suzie Hobbs of Edwardsville, Illinois, make their way into Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025, for the Cardinals' season opener against the Minnesota Twins.
Fans crowd to get a glimpse of the Clydesdales who circle the track before the Cardinals' season opener against the Minnesota Twins went into a rain delay on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
"I didn't know it would rain," said Kelsy Roig, who uses her mother's Mike Shannon jersey, to shelter from the rain, as she walks flanked by her sisters, Kaylie, left, and Bailey, into Busch Satdium on Thursday, March 27, 2025, for the Cardinals' season opener against the Minnesota Twins.
"It's my first opening day," said Steve Baldridge, right, as girlfriend Julia Holmes leans in for a kiss as they soak in the rain and the excitement of opening day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, before the Cardinals' game against the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium.聽The couple is from Arkansas and have been dating seven years.
"It's my first opening day," said Steve Baldridge, who literally wanted to soak in all the excitement, including the rain showers, with his girlfriend Julia Holmes on Thursday, March 27, 2025, before the Cardinals' game against the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium. The couple are from Arkansas and have been dating seven years.
Bonita Brown, right, cheers during a Cardinals鈥 pep rally before rain temporarily dampened the opening day festivities on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Ballpark Village outside Busch Stadium. For more on opening day, please see our coverage in Sports, Page B1.
Fredbird beaks Cardinals' fan Mary Beth Webb at a rally during opening day festivities on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Ballpark Village outside Busch Stadium.
Debuting their recently purchased bird suits, Troy Reider, left, dances with his father-in-law Matt Fingerhut at a Cardinals' rally during opening day festivities on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Ballpark Village outside Busch Stadium.
Sisters of St. Joseph Pat Dunphy, left, and Marianne Keena wait for the gates to open on Cardinals' opening day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
Tammy Mann of St. Peters dons her Cardinals' headband on opening day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, as she looks for the Clydesdales outside Busch Stadium.
Jason McAfee Cardinals' suit and red shoes stand out during opening day festivities on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Balllpark Village outside Busch Stadium.
Jude Potts, 15, and AJ Christlieb, 15, cheer as th 51黑料 Cardinals' score the first run of the season in the first inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
Photos: Cardinals beat Twins 5-3 at home in 2025 season opener
Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar celebrates with Jordan Walker after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, opening day at Busch Stadium.
Cardinals outfielders Lars Nootbaar, left, Victor Scott II, center, and Michael Siani celebrate after the team beat the Twins 5-3 on Thursday, March 27, 2025 鈥 opening day聽at Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals鈥 Nolan Arenado flaps his arms while heading to the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning of his team鈥檚 5-3 opening-day victory over the Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals' Nolan Arenado is congratulated in the dugout by Lars Nootbaar after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning of a game against Minnesota on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
51黑料 Cardinals closing pitcher Ryan Helsley enters the game in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker is welcomed by first baseman Willson Contreras during team introductions before playing the Minnesota Twins on opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals Nolan Arenado flies out against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Former 51黑料 Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa is helped with his red jacket before Cardinals Hall of Famers take the field for opening day festivities at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, center, is welcomed by team Chairman Bill DeWitt, Jr., right, and President Bill DeWitt III before playing the club鈥檚 opening day game against the Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
51黑料 Cardinals Hall of Famers Matt Morris, left, Ozzie Smith, Scott Rolen, Ted Simmons, Tony LaRussa, Joe Torre and Jose Oquendo await the national anthem on opening day before the Cardinals play the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals Hall of Famers Ray Lankford, left, Jim Edmonds, and Matt Holliday stand behind World Series trophies during opening day activities before the Cardinals play the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe waves to the crowd during 51黑料 Cardinals opening day festivities before playing the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals starting players, including Nolen Arenado (middle, facing camera) await the national anthem during opening day activities before the Cardinals play the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar greets Hall of Famers Matt Morris, center, Ozzie Smith and Scott Rolen during opening day activities before the Cardinals play the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado prepares to take the field against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
51黑料 Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray works the first inning against the Minnesota Twins during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals Lars Nootbaar flaps his wings after hitting a single against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals Lars Nootbaar scores the first run of the year against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray heads back to the mound after giving up a two-run home run to Harrison Bader of the Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray and catcher Ivan Herrera confer at the mound in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray is congratulated by catcher Ivan Herrera after retiring the side in the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras sets for the ball against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning of opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray strikes out his second batter of the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Cardinals pitcher Kyle Leahy works the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II snags a line drive by Ty France of the Twins in the sixth inning Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
51黑料 Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II snags a line drive by Ty France of the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher John King works the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn, left, congratulates second baseman Brendan Donovan after Donovan stopped a ground ball hit by Minnesota鈥檚 Carlos Correa to start a double play in the fifth inning of a game on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley celebrates after getting the final out in his team鈥檚 5-3 opening-day victory over the Twins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Phil Maton works during a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals outfielders Victor Scott II, left, Lars Nootbaar and Michael Siani celebrate a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Cardinals pitcher Chris Roycroft works the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins on opening day Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
51黑料 Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan handles a ground ball hit by Minnesota Twins Carlos Correa to end the top of the seventh inning during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals Lars Nootbaar tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins during opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas tangles with Fredbird during opening day introductions before the Cardinals play the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
51黑料 Cardinals closing pitcher Ryan Helsley congratulates catcher Pedro Pages as the Cardinals beat the Minnesota Twins 5-3 on opening day at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe waves to the crowd during 51黑料 Cardinals opening day festivities before playing the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
