By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – Cardinals officials dedicated the third Busch Stadium Monday, just hours before the team's home opener.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the ballpark's main gate, as team owners and local leaders unveiled the stadium's cornerstone.
Cardinals President Mark Lamping said the quick construction of the $365 million park shows the dedication of team owners to St. Louis.
"Privately-financed ballparks do not happen that frequently around the country," Lamping said. "For a project like this to be completed, required the commitment and the creativity from the very top of the Cardinal organization."
The stadium was largely financed with private money, though St. Louis city and county kicked in a $40 million loan.
This is the third ballpark in St. Louis to be called Busch Stadium. The first was Sportsman's Park on North Grand Ave.
The Cardinals won the home opener, beating the Milwaukee Brewers 6-4.