When Todd Zeile began his first full big-league season in 1990, he was heralded as the Cardinals’ most promising catching prospect in years. By September, he was the team’s starting third baseman. A second-round draft pick out of UCLA in 1986, Zeile entered the 1990 season ranked as baseball’s No. 7 prospect by Baseball America. […]
Why Todd Zeile was converted to third base Read More »
The St. Louis Cardinals never doubted that Brian Jordan had the talent to become a middle-of-the-order bat. The question was whether Jordan would stick with baseball long enough to get that opportunity. A first-round pick (30th overall) in the 1988 MLB draft, Jordan found minor-league at-bats hard to come by, largely due to his professional
How the Cardinals convinced Brian Jordan to give up football Read More »
As a strong safety in the NFL, Brian Jordan built his game around speed and impact, so it’s no surprise that he wasted little time in making his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals. After just 406 minor league at-bats, Jordan got his first big-league opportunity on April 8, 1992, going 2-for-5 with four
Brian Jordan makes his MLB debut: April 8, 1992 Read More »
Before the Cardinals made him a third-round draft pick in 1987, Ray Lankford was the first running back in Modesto (Calif.) Junior College history to rush for more than 1,000 yards. On April 21, 1991, he put those skills to good use, running over Phillies catcher Darren Daulton in the 10th inning to score the
Ray Lankford runs over Darren Daulton: April 21, 1991 Read More »
One year after acquiring slugger Mark McGwire at the trade deadline, Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty found himself as a seller at the 1998 deadline, sending starting pitcher Todd Stottlemyre and shortstop Royce Clayton to the Texas Rangers for starting pitcher Darren Oliver, third baseman Fernando Tatis, and a player to be named later. That
Why the Cards traded Todd Stottlemyre and Royce Clayton at the 1998 trade deadline Read More »
Almost 25 years after his playing career ended, Orlando Cepeda wept with joy when he learned that on March 2, 1999, that he finally had been elected the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. “It’s hard to explain the feeling … I’ve been ready for this for 17 years,” Cepeda said. “When they told
How Orlando Cepeda finally was elected to the Hall of Fame Read More »
On the same day that Ozzie Smith won his 12th consecutive Gold Glove Award, another Cardinal “Ozzi,” Tom Pagnozzi, captured the first of his three career Gold Gloves as the National League’s premier defensive catcher. The recognition, announced on November 26, 1991, came at the end of Pagnozzi’s first season as the Cardinals’ starting catcher.
How Tom Pagnozzi won his first Gold Glove in 1991 Read More »
Seventeen years after the Cardinals drafted Gary Gaetti, they finally signed him on December 18, 1995. The native of Centralia, Illinois, was the Cardinals’ fourth-round selection out of Lake Land College in the January 1978 draft, but he chose to transfer to continue his collegiate career after the Cardinals offered him just a $500 bonus
How the Cardinals signed Gary Gaetti 17 years after drafting him Read More »
When the Cardinals signed Mike Matheny on December 15, 1999, they were just looking for a veteran backstop to play alongside Eli Marrero. Instead, they found a future Gold Glove Award winner and the franchise’s next manager. General manager Walt Jocketty was seeking a veteran catcher to complement Marrero, who had hit just .192 the
How Mike Matheny signed with the Cardinals Read More »
When the 1990 season ended, Willie McGee was the National League batting champion for the second time in his career – never mind that he had spent the past month as a member of the American League’s Oakland Athletics. On August 29, 1990, the St. Louis Cardinals traded the former National League MVP and four-time
Why the Cardinals traded Willie McGee in 1990 Read More »