With his 9-year-old son Dustin standing beside him on June 19, 1996, Ozzie Smith tearfully announced that the current campaign would mark the end of a legendary 19-year career that included a World Series championship, NLCS MVP Award, 13 Gold Glove Awards, and, with his upcoming appearance in the midsummer classic, 15 all-star appearances. “It’s […]
June 19, 1996: Ozzie Smith announces he will retire at season’s end Read More »
On June 13, 1997, Fernando Valenzuela and Fernandomania came to St. Louis. On the same day that the Chicago Bulls won their fifth NBA championship in seven years, the Cardinals and Padres agreed to a trade that brought former Cy Young Award winner Fernando Valenzuela, infielder Scott Livingstone, and outfielder Phil Plantier to St. Louis
Fernando Valenzuela gets traded to St. Louis: June 13, 1997 Read More »
With just two hits in his previous 38 at-bats, Mike Gonzalez was an unlikely hero when he stepped to the plate in the 15th inning of the Cardinals’ June 11, 1917, game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Combined with a remarkable 15-inning performance from “Spittin’” Bill Doak, Gonzalez’s theft of home lifted the Cardinals to a 5-4
How Bill Doak pitched 15 innings and Mike Gonzalez stole home in unlikely 1917 win Read More »
Dizzy Dean may not have been at his best when he faced the Reds July 1, 1934, at Crosley Field, but his 17-inning pitching performance kept the Cardinals in the game long enough to top Cincinnati, 8-6. Dean entered the game having won 11 of his last 12 decisions and each of his last four
With a single, double, triple, and home run on June 29, 1935, Joe Medwick became the first player to reach 100 hits and the only one to hit for the cycle that season. Signed off the New Jersey sandlots, the muscular and quick-tempered Medwick quickly developed a reputation as one of the best bad-ball hitters
Joe Medwick completes cycle with homer off the foul pole: June 29, 1935 Read More »
On June 27, 1973, Joe Torre hit for the cycle for the first time in his 13-year major league career. He had Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst to thank for it. After hitting an eighth-inning triple to move within a single of the cycle, Torre asked Schoendienst to remove him from the game. Sensing that Torre
Joe Torre hits for the cycle with an assist from Red Schoendienst: June 27, 1973 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 »
Long before Cardinals general manager Bing Devine traded Ernie Broglio, Doug Clemens, and Bobby Shantz to the Cubs for Lou Brock, Jack Spring, and Paul Toth in June 1964, he’d been laying the groundwork for a deal. The preceding winter, Devine had inquired with Cubs general manager John Holland about Brock’s availability, but been rebuffed.
Brock for Broglio: June 15, 1964 Read More »
On June 23, 1961, Stan Musial hopped off the trainer’s table, took the field at Busch Stadium I and proceeded to hit two homers and drive in seven runs to lead the Cardinals to a 10-5 win over the San Francisco Giants. Just imagine what he could have accomplished if he had been fully healthy.
40-year-old Stan Musial homers twice, drives in seven: June 23, 1961 Read More »
Over the course of his 12-year career, Wally Moon was better known for his “Moon shot” home runs than his base-stealing ability. Nonetheless, on May 25, 1954, the rookie center fielder came one stolen base shy of breaking a 50-year-old National League record as he swiped four bags in a 9-4 Cardinals win over the
May 25, 1954: Wally Moon steals four bases, nearly ties 50-year-old NL record Read More »