Wildcat Tracks: Joe Pfeiffer ’93

Pictured above: Joe Pfeiffer with Larry Walker, former Cardinals and Hall of Fame outfielder

Not many people can truly say they are working in their dream job, but that’s certainly the case for St. Louis Cardinals executive, Joe Pfeiffer. Spending time with former players, facilitating sponsorship deals all while managing a department of account executives are things Pfeiffer may have only dreamed about while a student at Westminster. “My six years at WCA were some of the best and most impactful years of my life. My faith in Jesus grew exponentially at WCA as well as thru FCA which was introduced to me by Terry Johnson (then Athletic Director and my basketball coach). My world views were created and matured during my time there; many of which continue to guide my decisions to this very day,” he said. After graduation from WCA, Pfeiffer attended Trinity Christian College and Central Michigan University. He finished with a Masters of Sports Administration and began his baseball career. “I’ve only worked in the sports industry. I spent seven years in minor league sports prior to coming back to St. Louis in 2004. I’ve been with the Cardinals since 2005 in a variety of different roles for the club.” Pfeiffer is currently the Director of Corporate Sales Account Services and Alumni Relations for the Cardinals.

He says coming home to St. Louis gave him an opportunity to reconnect with WCA faculty, “I’ve remained in touch with a few of my teachers/coaches over the years; primarily with Rich Van Gilst and Tim Baldwin. Rich was my baseball coach for four years and we still remain friends. Tim Baldwin is still to this day my favorite teacher. His ability to teach by example and illustration was second to none and his faith is exemplary. When I returned to St. Louis in 2004, I was able to reconnect with Tim and serve alongside him in our community.” Perhaps the best part of his job involves working with Cardinals alumni players. Pfeiffer is responsible for managing all engagement and appearances related to former players. “Undoubtedly, the most enjoyable portion of my job is facilitating the Cardinals Fantasy Camps along with our Cardinal alumni players. It’s a bucket list opportunity for Cardinals fans like nothing else in the sport, he said. “I’ve had the joy of hosting camps in Jupiter, FL as well as Cooperstown, NY and Busch Stadium. We have as many as 35 to 40 alumni at our Florida camp; managing that many former players is interesting, to say the least!”

Working with the alumni players has given Pfeiffer the unique opportunity to now call many of them a friend. “My job has given me some incredible opportunities to meet amazing people”, he said. “Ozzie Smith was my childhood hero. To now work alongside him and call him friend is incredible. Adam Wainwright has become a great friend and someone I consider to be the most authentic and generous individual in the sport. I became friends with the late, great Red Schoendienst. I had the honor of supporting his family by assisting in the planning of his funeral arrangements. As difficult as that experience was; it was definitely an honor of a lifetime.” But the most meaningful encounter so far for this former Westminster Wildcat pitcher and first baseman? “The one non-Cardinal moment in which I was awestruck was the day that Ozzie Smith introduced me to Hank Aaron. I was speechless!”