1985

April 15, 1985: Ozzie Smith trade rumors end with a new contract and a homer in the Cardinals’ home opener

Headed into the 1985 season, the St. Louis Cardinals were an enigma. After trading Keith Hernandez to the New York Mets in 1984 and allowing Bruce Sutter to leave for Atlanta via free agency, Cardinals fans feared that star shortstop Ozzie Smith, entering the last year of his contract, would be the next Redbird out …

April 15, 1985: Ozzie Smith trade rumors end with a new contract and a homer in the Cardinals’ home opener Read More »

October 14, 1985: Cardinals fans ‘go crazy’ after Ozzie Smith hits a walk-off home run to win NLCS Game 5

Arguably the most famous home run in St. Louis Cardinals postseason history may also have been the most unlikely. On October 14, 1985, broadcaster Jack Buck encouraged Cardinals fans to “go crazy, folks, go crazy!” after shortstop Ozzie Smith hit the first left-handed home run of his career. The unexpected blast gave St. Louis a …

October 14, 1985: Cardinals fans ‘go crazy’ after Ozzie Smith hits a walk-off home run to win NLCS Game 5 Read More »

October 13, 1985: Busch Stadium’s automated tarp runs over Vince Coleman’s legs

There wasn’t a catcher in baseball who could stop Vince Coleman during his rookie campaign in 1985. Unfortunately, the same rule didn’t apply to the Busch Stadium tarp. The Cardinals initially didn’t plan for Coleman to break their starting lineup in 1985. Coleman went just 4-for-29 in spring training[1] and was optioned to Triple-A Louisville …

October 13, 1985: Busch Stadium’s automated tarp runs over Vince Coleman’s legs Read More »

October 21, 1981: Yankees’ outfield logjam allows Cardinals to trade for Willie McGee

On the same day that Tommy John threw seven shutout innings to lead the Yankees to a 3-0 win over the Dodgers in Game 2 of the 1981 World Series, the Cardinals and Yankees quietly made a deal that would help the Cardinals capture the 1982 world championship. The trade, which sent Yankees minor league …

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