Logo of a minor league baseball team, the old Louisville Redbirds, who were a Triple A franchise that existed from 1982 until 1998. The team name came from their affiliation with the St. Louis Cardinals, and they were an immediate hit with Kentucky baseball fans, becoming the first minor league franchise to draw over a million fans in their second season. They played in the old American Association, but moved to the International League when the AA folded in 1998. Four of the Redbirds players went on to play key roles with the Cardinals – Willie McGee, Andy Van Slyke, Vince Coleman and Terry Pendleton.