It may have been Lou Brock’s first year of eligibility, but he had been waiting his entire life for Jack Lang’s phone call. At 6 p.m. on January 7, 1985, the secretary-treasurer of the Baseball Writers Association of America called to inform Brock that he had just been elected to the National Baseball Hall of […]
January 7, 1985: Lou Brock is elected to the Hall of Fame Read More »
It took longer than either side was entirely comfortable with, but in the end, the Cardinals got their man. On January 5, 2010, Matt Holliday agreed to a deal that would keep him in St. Louis through the 2016 season and gave the Cardinals a pair of franchise cornerstone sluggers in Holliday and Albert Pujols
How Matt Holliday finally signed a record contract in 2010 Read More »
After winning 22 games and placing third in the National League Cy Young Award voting in 2001, Cardinals right-hander Matt Morris was arguably at the height of his negotiating power. At a time when many players would have called their agent to begin laying the groundwork for a new contract that would take full advantage
How Matt Morris negotiated his own deal in 2002 Read More »
When David Eckstein signed with the Cardinals on December 23, 2004, he couldn’t help but think of his last visit to St. Louis almost 2 ½ years earlier. The second-year major-league shortstop was leading off for the Angels on June 18, 2002, the same day the Cardinals were hosting a pregame memorial service in honor
Why the Cardinals signed David Eckstein in December 2004 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 Albert Pujols signed a record 10-year, $254-million contract with the Angels following the 2011 season, the Cardinals had a short list of free agents who could fill their sudden need for an impact bat. Carlos Beltran was at the top of the list. On December 22, 2011, the Cardinals signed the 1999 American League Rookie
December 22, 2011: Cardinals sign Carlos Beltran in wake of Pujols’ departure 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 heels of the Cardinals’ loss to the Red Sox in the 2004 World Series, their offseason began with the departure of several prominent players. Shortstop Edgar Renteria signed with Boston. Catcher Mike Matheny went to the Giants, second baseman Tony Womack signed with the Yankees, and pitcher Woody Williams returned to the Padres
Why the Cardinals traded for Mark Mulder in 2004 Read More »
From the moment he arrived in St. Louis, the Cardinals saw Milt Thompson as a Whitey Herzog type of player. On December 16, 1988, the Cardinals traded outfielder Curt Ford and catcher Steve Lake to the Phillies for Thompson. A former second-round pick of the Braves in 1979, Thompson was expected to serve as a
Why the Cardinals traded for Milt Thompson in 1988 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
December 15, 1995: Willie McGee returns to St. Louis Read More »