On the day the Baseball Writers Association of America was set to announce the Hall of Fame class of 2002, Ozzie Smith had a backup plan ready. If the phone rang with the news that he had not been inducted in his first year of eligibility, Smith and his family were all set to drive […]
January 8, 2002: Ozzie Smith is elected to the Hall of Fame Read More »
As Whitey Herzog looked ahead to the 1985 season, he knew he had plenty of outfield talent in the pipeline, but he desperately needed pitching. The Pirates, meanwhile, had plenty of pitching – including John Tudor – but needed to add punch to their offense. On December 12, 1984, the Cardinals traded outfielder George Hendrick
How John Tudor was traded to St. Louis for George Hendrick Read More »
In October 1982, Bruce Sutter closed the door on the Cardinals’ first world championship since 1967. His path to that moment began almost three years earlier, shortly after he was named the 1979 National League Cy Young Award winner. Sutter had a contract with the Cubs for the 1980 season, but the agreement included a
How Bruce Sutter was traded to the Cardinals Read More »
The first time Darrell Porter met Whitey Herzog, he asked the Royals manager what was expected of him. Porter had just arrived in Kansas City in a trade from the Brewers, while Herzog was coming off his second season with the Royals, a 90-win campaign that resulted in an American League West championship. “I expect
Whitey Herzog begins 1980 roster rebuild with Darrell Porter Read More »
Just weeks before the Cardinals were set to open the 1985 season, Whitey Herzog predicted that his club’s top prospect, Vince Coleman, had the talent to one day win the Rookie of the Year Award. He had no idea that day would come just 8 ½ months later. “You talk about a man with a
Vince Coleman is named 1985 Rookie of the Year Read More »
There wasn’t a catcher in baseball who could stop Vince Coleman during his rookie campaign in 1985. Unfortunately, the same rule didn’t apply to the Busch Stadium tarp. The Cardinals initially didn’t plan for Coleman to break their starting lineup in 1985. Coleman went just 4-for-29 in spring training[1] and was optioned to Triple-A Louisville
Vince Coleman tarp incident ends his 1985 season Read More »
On August 22, 1982, Glenn Brummer became arguably the most unlikely game-winning hero in Cardinals history. An Illinois native, Brummer had played his college baseball at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois, and signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 1974. After working his way through the Cardinals’ farm system, Brummer made
August 22, 1982: Glenn Brummer steals home and becomes an unlikely Cardinals hero Read More »
On August 16, 1988, the Cardinals’ quest for Jack Clark’s replacement led them to trade John Tudor, the left-handed pitcher who won 21 games in 1985, to the Dodgers for four-time all-star first baseman Pedro Guerrero. Clark had anchored the Cardinals’ lineups from 1985 through 1987, but in January 1988, he signed a two-year contract
August 16, 1988: Cards trade John Tudor for Pedro Guerrero Read More »
As he took part in Cardinals batting practice prior to his first major league game on July 18, 1984, Terry Pendleton had to admit that he was nervous. “It’s hit me that I’m in the big leagues, but in a way it hasn’t,” the 24-year-old said after making his debut just two years after the
Terry Pendleton gets three hits in his MLB debut Read More »
To acquire a relief pitcher who would become a cornerstone of their bullpen during their 1985 and 1987 National League pennant seasons, the Cardinals traded away one of the few remaining players from their 1982 world championship club, Ken Oberkfell. On June 15, 1984, the Cardinals traded Oberkfell, the team’s leading hitter with a .309
Cards trade Ken Oberkfell for Dayley and Jorgensen: June 15, 1984 Read More »