Former Blues President and Cardinals Executive Mark Sauer Dies
Mark Sauer, a veteran sports executive who played key roles with both the St. Louis Blues and Cardinals, passed away on Thursday, the Cardinals confirmed Friday evening.
Sauer spent nearly 20 years in St. Louis, most notably serving as the Blues’ president and CEO from 1996 to 2006. His professional background also included time at Anheuser-Busch in the 1980s, a role as chief operating officer for the Cardinals beginning in 1989, and a five-year tenure as CEO and president of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1991 to 1996.
While leading the Blues, the team achieved the NHL’s seventh-best record and ranked ninth in playoff wins during that stretch. The Blues captured their only Presidents’ Trophy in 2000 and reached the Western Conference Final in 2001.
In 1996, Sauer—alongside Ron Caron—was instrumental in hiring Joel Quenneville as head coach. Quenneville went on to become the franchise’s all-time leader in games coached and wins, both in the regular season and playoffs.
Sauer also selected Larry Pleau as Caron’s successor as general manager in 1997. Pleau remained in the role for 13 years, the longest tenure in team history before Doug Armstrong took over in 2010.
Sauer replaced Jack Quinn as president following the simultaneous dismissal of Quinn and coach Mike Keenan in 1996. He later oversaw two ownership transitions: the sale of the Blues to Bill and Nancy Laurie in 1999, and then to David Checketts in 2006. After the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Sauer was tasked with cutting payroll, which led to several major roster changes, including the trade of Chris Pronger and departures of Pavol Demitra, Chris Osgood, and Scott Mellanby.
In Sauer’s final season at the helm, the Blues finished with the league’s worst record and missed the playoffs for the first time during his tenure, earning the top pick in the following NHL Draft. He retired in 2006 following the team’s sale to Checketts, with John Davidson taking over as president.
In 2012, Sauer suffered a personal tragedy when his son, Peter—former Stanford basketball captain and 1998 Final Four participant—died at age 35 due to an enlarged heart.
After retiring, Sauer moved to Delray Beach, Florida, where he founded Bound For College, a nonprofit organization aimed at preparing students for higher education through SAT/ACT prep and college visits. Among those he mentored was NFL wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith, who played six seasons in the league.
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