On August 25, 1991, Lee Smith became just the fifth pitcher to reach the 300-save milestone, joining Rollie Fingers, Jeff Reardon, Rich Gossage, and Bruce Sutter as baseball’s top closers. “Starting pitchers use 300 wins as a measuring stick for the Hall of Fame,” Cardinals manager Joe Torre said. “For him to get 300 saves […]
August 25, 1991: Lee Smith earns his 300th save Read More »
With two blasts on the final day of the 1998 season, Mark McGwire established a new plateau for MLB sluggers by reaching 70 home runs for the season. The 34-year-old slugger set a torrid pace from the outset of the 1998 campaign, beginning with a grand slam in the Cardinals’ season-opening win. On July 26,
September 27, 1998: Mark McGwire hits his 70th home run Read More »
On September 15, 1991, Ray Lankford became the first Cardinals rookie in 73 years to hit for the cycle when he collected a single, double, triple, and home run in a 7-2 win over the Mets at Busch Stadium. For good measure, Lankford also stole a base and scored four times. “It’s a great feeling,”
September 15, 1991: Rookie Ray Lankford homers to complete the cycle Read More »
On August 18, 1995, Tom Henke battled through arguably his toughest outing of the season to collect the 300th save of his career. Nine months earlier, the 6-foot-5 reliever from Kansas City, Missouri, had signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cardinals to pitch his 14th major-league season. After eight seasons in Toronto, where
August 18, 1995: Tom Henke gets his 300th career save Read More »
The 1991 season marked a new beginning for the St. Louis Cardinals. In their first full season under new head coach Joe Torre, the Cardinals had an entirely new starting outfield, as Bernard Gilkey, Ray Lankford, and Felix Jose replaced 1990’s opening-day threesome of Vince Coleman, Willie McGee, and Tom Brunansky. No one, however, was
August 3, 1991: Todd Zeile’s walk-off home run pulls the Cardinals into the pennant race Read More »
On August 1, 1990, the St. Louis Cardinals officially moved on from the “Whiteyball” era when they brought former Cardinals star Joe Torre back to take the managerial position vacated by Whitey Herzog just three weeks earlier. “During the selection process, I interviewed a number of very good candidates,” Cardinals general manager Dal Maxvill said,
August 1, 1990: Cardinals name Joe Torre manager Read More »
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 collecting 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
April 13, 1993: Lee Smith becomes baseball’s career saves leader 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 »