NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The St. Louis Cardinals are going all-in on the shirtless fans who revved up Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals dedicate an entire section in the upper right bleachers at Busch Stadium for fans to watch the game shirtless.
“Starting tonight, the upper right bleachers at Busch Stadium will become a dedicated high-energy fan section, inspired by the Tarps Off atmosphere that fans have brought to the stadium,” the Cardinals said on social media.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
A group of shirtless fans cheer during the 11th inning of a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on May 15, 2026. (Jeff Curry/Imagn Images)
“All fans in the stadium, regardless of their seat location, can join in the fun. Shirts optional.”
The “Tarps Off” movement began last Friday during the Cardinals’ 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals. A group of fans walked towards an empty section. About 100 fans initially got the ball rolling, and as the game continued into extra innings, the entire section was filled with shirtless fans.
When the Cardinals knocked out the Royals in the 11th inning, the section went crazy.
Caleb Cummings, a 20-year-old on the Stephen F. Austin Club baseball team, came up with the idea, and it has since taken on a life of its own.
The crowd of shirtless fans received praise from Cardinals manager Oli Marmol for the energy they brought, crediting them for creating a great environment.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Shirtless fans celebrate after the St. Louis Cardinals’ loss to the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on May 16, 2026. (Jeff Curry/Imagn Images)
“Whoever started in right field, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure he’s there every game,” Marmol said. “Because it was great. Not just them, but everyone who came today. It was a fun environment.”
Marmol stayed true to his word and purchased tickets for them to stay for the team’s game this weekend. He even brought them to the clubhouse after the team’s victory Saturday.
“What you did for them was actually pretty damn special. Because they fed off it, they loved every second of last night. And then when you all got there around third grade, the place went crazy,” Marmol told the kids in his office Saturday.
The shirtless section also caught the attention of players. Ivan Herrera greeted shirtless fans by pretending to wave his shirt after hitting a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Ivan Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after hitting a three-run home run to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th inning in St. Louis on May 19, 2026. (Jeff Roberson/AP)
After Herrera stepped onto home plate, his teammates immediately began removing his uniform.
With the shirtless section now becoming a staple in St. Louis, Marmol and the Cardinals hope to bring the same energy to every home game throughout the season.
The Cardinals (28-20) will look to give their raucous fans a victory on Wednesday when they take on the Pirates (25-24) in the final game of a three-game series at 1:15 p.m. ET.
