On March 11, 1981, “the Big Cat” Johnny Mize, who held the Cardinals’ single-season home run record for more than 40 years and would go on to hold it for 17 more, was finally elected to the Hall of Fame. Mize was selected by the Veterans Committee alongside Negro Leagues founder Rube Foster. He and […]
Why Johnny Mize was shocked to be elected to the Hall of Fame Read More »
Heading into the 1981 season, if someone suggested that the Cardinals would have the greatest shortstop of the decade, fans everywhere would assume they were referring to Garry Templeton, one of the most talented infielders in the National League. But a heated confrontation with Cardinals fans on August 26, 1981, led to a franchise-altering trade
Garry Templeton flips off the fans: August 26, 1981 Read More »
The 1981 Hall of Fame ballot was stacked with stars who would one day receive their day in Cooperstown. Joining Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson among the candidates were future Hall of Famers Don Drysdale, Gil Hodges, Harmon Killebrew, Juan Marichal, and Hoyt Wilhelm. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch even ran a story noting that all six
Bob Gibson is elected to the Hall of Fame: January 15, 1981 Read More »
Whitey Herzog wasn’t certain exactly what caliber of pitcher he was receiving when he traded for Joaquin Andujar in 1981, but he did know one thing – the Cardinals were getting a personality unlike any they’d ever seen. Herzog was already on the search for pitching when Astros general manager Al Rosen called and offered
How Joaquin Andujar was traded to the Cardinals Read More »
The day after the Cardinals, Phillies, and Indians agreed on a three-team deal that sent Lonnie Smith to St. Louis, Philadelphia Daily News reporter Bill Conlin wrote that it “was a deal filled with marvelous paradoxes.”[1] The Cardinals already had outfielders George Hendrick, David Green, Dane Iorg, and Sixto Lezcano on the roster, and had
How Lonnie Smith was traded to St. Louis in three-team deal Read More »