Just five days after longtime radio broadcaster Jack Buck passed away, the Cardinals were dealt another blow with the sudden passing of 33-year-old pitcher Darryl Kile. On June 23, 2002, Kile was found dead in the bed of his Chicago hotel room after teammates became concerned that he hadn’t arrived at Wrigley Field for the […]
Darryl Kile passes away: June 22, 2002 Read More »
When the Cardinals signed Chris Carpenter, they hoped to add depth for the second half of the 2003 season. Instead, they discovered an ace for their 2006 and 2011 World Series championships. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound righthander was drafted by the Blue Jays 15th overall in the first round of the 1993 draft out of Trinity
How the Cardinals signed future Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter Read More »
On the day the Baseball Writers Association of America was set to announce the Hall of Fame class of 2002, Ozzie Smith had a backup plan ready. If the phone rang with the news that he had not been inducted in his first year of eligibility, Smith and his family were all set to drive
January 8, 2002: Ozzie Smith is elected to the Hall of Fame 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 the trade was finally complete, the newest St. Louis Cardinal, Scott Rolen, recalled his father taking him to games at Busch Stadium in the 1980s. Now, following a trade that sent Placido Polanco, Bud Smith, and Mike Timlin to the Phillies for Rolen and minor-league pitcher Doug Nickle, the 27-year-old from Jasper, Indiana, would
Phillies trade Scott Rolen to the Cardinals: July 29, 2002 Read More »
Walt Jocketty wasn’t quite sure what he was purchasing when the Cardinals announced the signing of their first Japanese-born player, 32-year-old outfielder So Taguchi, to a three-year contract in January 2002. After all, Jocketty had never even seen the 10-year veteran of the Japan Pacific League play. Neither had Tony La Russa. Instead, the Cardinals
How So Taguchi became the Cardinals’ first Japanese-born player Read More »