This is Part 1 of a three-part series chronicling Keith Hernandez’s career, which includes Part 2: Champions in ’82, Traded in ’83 and Part 3: Post-Cardinals Career and Legacy. Even before Keith Hernandez was born, the St. Louis Cardinals figured prominently in his life. Hernandez’s father, John, had been a left-handed hitting first baseman in […]
Keith Hernandez Part 1: Road to the MVP Read More »
Grover Cleveland Alexander carved his name into baseball history and Babe Ruth was caught stealing, but the most important result of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 1926 World Series was simple: for the first time in the World Series era, the Cardinals were world
1926 World Series Game 7: Cardinals win their first World Series Read More »
Heading into Game 6 of the 1926 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals had their backs against the wall. Down three games to two against Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig’s squad, the Cardinals were further disadvantaged by the absence of two-thirds of their starting outfield. Left fielder Ray Blades had been out of the lineup
1926 World Series Game 6: Cardinals clobber Yankees 10-2 Read More »
Jesse Haines didn’t single-handedly beat the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1926 World Series – it just seemed that way. Haines’ major league career started in 1915 with the Detroit Tigers, where he spent two months but never appeared in a game. While Haines was frustrated by his lack of playing time,
October 5, 1926: Jesse Haines leads Cardinals to Game 3 World Series win Read More »
The first World Series game victory in St. Louis Cardinals history came courtesy of two players discarded by their previous teams earlier that season. After falling to the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the 1926 World Series behind a complete-game, three-hit performance by Herb Pennock and two RBIs from Lou Gehrig, the Cardinals
1926 World Series Game 2: The Cardinals’ first World Series win Read More »
Stan Musial and the Cardinals had planned for his 3,000th career hit to take place in St. Louis. Then baseball, as it so often does, got in the way. Musial entered the 1958 season with 2,957 hits and quickly closed in on the milestone, opening the season with a 17-game hit streak. That season-opening tear
May 13, 1958: Stan Musial reaches 3,000 hits Read More »
When Rogers Hornsby reached 2,000 career hits, it didn’t just mark a milestone in the slugger’s Hall of Fame career – it helped to serve notice that after years of futility, the Cardinals were ready to chase the National League pennant. Hornsby entered the game with 1,998 hits in a career that began in 1915
Rogers Hornsby tallies his 2,000th hit: June 23, 1926 Read More »
George “Specs” Toporcer played eight seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1921-28, helping the franchise capture its first World Series championship in 1926 and becoming the first major league infielder to wear glasses in a game. A talented utility infielder and pinch hitter, Specs Toporcer served as the backup second baseman to two future
Specs Toporcer: A backup to two future Hall of Famers Read More »
With the National League championship wrapped up and a berth to the World Series guaranteed, the St. Louis Cardinals used their regular-season finale to get their first glimpse of 20-year-old Jay Hanna Dean – more commonly known as Dizzy Dean. One year prior, Dean had been pitching while stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort
Dizzy Dean makes his major league debut: September 28, 1930 Read More »
Mark McGwire had a grand time in his first opening day with the St. Louis Cardinals. Eight months earlier, McGwire arrived in St. Louis in a trade that sent Erick Ludwick, T.J. Mathews, and Blake Stein to the Oakland Athletics. In his final 51 games of the 1997 season, McGwire hit 24 home runs for
March 31, 1998: Mark McGwire grand slam lifts Cardinals to season-opening win Read More »