Hochman: Downtown on Friday, as St. Louis fans returned to normalcy, the only masks were on Yadi and Binnington

Cardinals and Cubs fans outside Busch Stadium, buzzing for a return to normalcy as COVID-19 restrictions lessen. For some the game is a fun night out, for others a triumph by the people of St. Louis.

Draped in Blues blue, Aaron Strauss and Tim Bradshaw arrived at Broadway Oyster Bar on Friday for dinner.

“Forty-five minute wait,” Bradshaw said.

So then they tried Salt + Smoke at Ballpark Village.

“They had a bit of a wait, too,” Bradshaw said, while standing on Clark Avenue between Ballpark Village and the ballpark.