Given Ozzie Smith’s long journey to becoming an above-average major-league hitter, it was no wonder that he began to cry with joy and appreciation after he tripled on May 26, 1992, for his 2,000th career hit. “I did not want to leave the game being known as a one-dimensional player,” Smith said. “Maybe tonight will […]
Why Ozzie Smith wept after his 2,000th career hit Read More »
On April 13, 1993, Cardinals closer Lee Smith claimed his place as baseball’s career leader with his 358th save in a 9-7 win over the Dodgers. “It feels good to get it out of the way, but I’m not in the game to set records,” Smith said. “I want to pitch in the World Series, and
Lee Smith becomes baseball’s career saves leader: April 13, 1993 Read More »
After a winless six-game road trip to open the season, the 1997 Cardinals needed to turn their fortunes around. Willie McGee was all too happy to oblige with the first walk-off home run of his 16-year major-league career. “How beautiful was that?” outfielder Brian Jordan asked. “Just the perfect ending.”[1] “You couldn’t write a better
April 8, 1997: Willie McGee hits his first career walk-off home run Read More »
The Cleveland Indians were desperate for pitching and tired of waiting for Mark Whiten to live up to his potential. The Cardinals were willing to take a chance on a player who was – unbeknownst to anyone – was five months away from making history. As a result, the Cardinals and Indians came together on
March 31, 1993: Indians trade Mark Whiten to the Cardinals Read More »
After Pedro Guerrero retired and Andres Galarraga signed with the Rockies, the Cardinals needed to think outside the box to fill their first base vacancy. On February 12, 1993, the Cardinals announced that they had traded outfielder Felix Jose and utility infielder Craig Wilson to the Royals for infielder Gregg Jefferies and minor-league outfielder Ed Gerald.
How Gregg Jefferies was traded to St. Louis for Felix Jose Read More »
Tony La Russa had yet to manage a game for the St. Louis Cardinals, but his Oakland connections were already paying dividends. On February 13, 1996, the A’s traded Dennis Eckersley to St. Louis for minor-league reliever Steve Montgomery, making Eckersley the fourth former Athletics player alongside Mike Gallego, Rick Honeycutt, and Todd Stottlemyre to
How the Cardinals traded for Dennis Eckersley Read More »
Just a couple weeks shy of his 37th birthday, baseball had taken Tom Henke from Texas to Toronto and back again. Now the 6-foot-5 right-hander was ready to return to his roots. On December 12, 1994, Henke signed a one-year, $2-million contract to serve as the Cardinals’ closer in 1995. The 13-year major-league veteran had
December 12, 1994: Tom Henke signs with the Cardinals Read More »
After more than a year, the Cardinals finally had their leadoff hitter. On December 20, 1999, the Cardinals finalized a trade to send pitcher Juan Acevedo and two minor league players to be named later to the Brewers for Fernando Vina. On June 13, 2000, they completed the trade by sending catcher Eliezer Alfonzo and
Cardinals finally get Fernando Vina in 1999 trade Read More »
On the same day the Cardinals announced that shortstop Ozzie Smith had been medically cleared to play in the upcoming 1996 season, the team reunited with another star from its pennant-winning 1980s teams. On December 15, 1995, the Cardinals signed Willie McGee to a minor-league contract worth $500,000 if he made the team.[1] Though the Cardinals
Willie McGee returns to St. Louis: December 15, 1995 Read More »
In December 1998, the Cardinals’ winding quest for a shortstop led them to Miami and Edgar Renteria. On December 14, the Cardinals traded pitchers Braden Looper and Armando Almanza and shortstop prospect Pablo Ozuna to the Marlins for Renteria. Just 13 months earlier, Renteria’s 11th-inning RBI single off Charles Nagy won Game 7 of the
How Edgar Renteria was traded to the Cardinals Read More »