Breadon’s first business venture was vending popcorn at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. He owned an automobile agency until the 1930s. As a favor to a friend, he invested $200 in the Cardinals, and 27 years later he controlled the team. Under Breadon, the Cards won nine pennants and six WS. He succeeded Branch Rickey as Cardinals president in 1920, but Rickey stayed on as GM. They began the first farm system. At its peak, they owned 16 teams outright and had 12 working agreements.
