ST. LOUIS -- While it had the pomp and the pageantry that’s become so synonymous with the start of baseball season in St. Louis, Friday’s home opener also featured one of the most anticipated introductions in recent franchise memory.

Exactly four months after joining the Cardinals via trade and two weeks after signing a five-year extension with the organization, Paul Goldschmidt was officially introduced to his new home crowd. The All-Star first baseman received one of the loudest ovations on a day when 13 Cardinals Hall of Famers and every member of the 2019 club was paraded around the field to kick off the organization’s 81-game home slate. He later slugged his fifth homer in a 5-3 loss to the Padres.

“I got a little bit of a sneak peek last year coming in as a visitor on Opening Day,” said Goldschmidt, who also received a standing ovation before his first plate appearance. “It’ll be fun. The crowd will be ready to go. A lot of history that you get to take in.”

All 16 living members of the Cardinals Hall of Fame had been scheduled to participate in the festivities, but plans changed once weather postponed the home opener 24 hours. That precluded Joe Torre, Chris Carpenter and Mark McGwire from attending.

The pregame ceremonies lasted about 45 minutes and began as they always do -- with the Budweiser Clydesdales circling the field. The Hall of Fame players entered next, each ushered in via convertibles. Lou Brock, who has been absent from recent celebrations due to health concerns, was the last to be introduced.

“You have a storied history,” manager Mike Shildt said. “We want to make sure we capture our past and hold onto it. A lot of experiences, a lot of traditions, a lot of championships, a lot of Hall of Famers, a lot of quality people as well.”

Shildt, participating in his first home opener as manager, then led the 2019 team onto the field. Yadier Molina received his usual rousing ovation, as did Adam Wainwright, who, cognizant that this could be his final home opener as a player, bowed and doffed his cap to the crowd before greeting the line of Hall of Famers.

“I’ve been in a lot of different cities and seen a lot of different Opening Days, pitched in a lot of different Opening Days, but nobody seems to do it like St. Louis,” Wainwright said. “It’s a grander experience here.”

Video montages bookended the on-field ceremonies, which also included an appearance by Matt Morris and Jason Isringhausen, both of whom delivered ceremonial first pitches to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the organization’s 2004 National League Championship.

“Anybody that is a part of the Cardinals, we’re fortunate because we have a history -- and a great history,” president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. “You’ve heard me talk in the past about how you define the Cardinal Way and a lot of that is the appreciation for our history, understanding what today is all about -- meaning the present, but also an eye on the future -- and I think that’s what makes this such a special organization to work for.”