After Joaquin Andujar held the Atlanta Braves to one run in a complete-game mound effort and supported his own cause with a grand slam, Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith had to admit that he was disappointed. “There’s no way we can get on him now,” Smith said. “We like to give him trouble, but there’s nothing […]
May 15, 1984: Andujar calls his shot, hits grand slam 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
Ozzie Smith is elected to the Hall of Fame: January 8, 2002 Read More »
In the midst of his remarkable 1985 season, Willie McGee was invited to a Kiwanis luncheon where he was going to be honored for his humility. When the Cardinals outfielder arrived, there was a line at the door, so instead of stepping in front of those awaiting tickets, he joined the line. When he got
How Willie McGee was named 1985 National League MVP Read More »
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 »
Heading into the 1992 season, Ozzie Smith was on the cusp of history. With 499 career stolen bases, was set to become just the 16th player in Major League Baseball history to steal 500 bases. However, heading into the Cardinals’ April 26 game against the Expos, The Wizard had yet to steal a base and
Ozzie Smith swipes his 500th career stolen base: April 26, 1992 Read More »
The trade to obtain Jack Clark may have taken longer than anyone would have liked, but in the end, the St. Louis Cardinals had the middle-of-the-order slugger they needed to capture two National League championships. After finishing third in the National League East in 1984, Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog made clear that his top priority
How Jack Clark was traded from San Francisco to St. Louis Read More »
For decades afterward, Cardinals fans would simply remember the game as “Seat Cushion Night.” The Cardinals and Mets game on April 18, 1987, appeared on the schedule to be an ordinary April ballgame. It was just the 10th game of the season for both teams, and while the St. Louis and New York ballclubs were
Seat Cushion Night: Tom Herr’s grand slam lifts Cardinals over the Mets Read More »
For the first time since the Whitey Herzog days of the 1980s, the Cardinals were in the thick of a pennant race. So it was fitting that two stars of the 1980s, Ozzie Smith and Willie McGee, led the Cardinals to an extra-inning victory over the Astros on September 2, 1996. The Cardinals entered the
September 2, 1996: Ozzie Smith and Willie McGee spark Cardinals’ comeback Read More »