The Houston market was owned by the Cardinals before the Colt .45s/Astros were formed. The city had the Buffaloes/Buffs since the 1890s and for decades they were a Cardinals farm club. Only in their last two seasons did they switch to a Cubs affiliate.
When I moved here in the mid-60s any game against the Cardinals drew quite a crowd of St. Louis fans. That gradually changed due to Cardinal fans getting older and the Astros forming an identity and having some exciting teams. The Cards don't play here much since the Astros changed leagues so it's hard to gauge the amount of support they still have here. But I suspect there are fewer Cards fans in Minute Maid Park when they visit than there are Yankees and Red Sox fans then those clubs are in town.
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"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much." -Eric Cantona
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