It took a lot to make Stan Musial visibly angry. But when the legendary Cardinals outfielder learned just before boarding the team’s train to Pittsburgh that the Cardinals had traded Red Schoendienst, his roommate for more than a decade, Musial made his displeasure clear. “The rest of us got the word that Red had been …
In one of his final trades as general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, Bob Howsam traded journeyman third baseman Charley Smith to the New York Yankees for baseball’s single-season home run king, Roger Maris. Little did Howsam know that Maris had informed the Yankees that he planned to retire in advance of the 1967 …
December 8, 1966: Yankees trade Roger Maris to the Cardinals Read More »
On June 30, 1954, Joe Cunningham kicked off his 12-year major-league career with a single, homer, and five RBIs in an 11-3 St. Louis Cardinals victory over the Cincinnati Redlegs. Cunningham had been with the Cardinals’ International League affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings, on June 29 when manager Harry Walker informed the 22-year-old that he …
June 30, 1954: Joe Cunningham drives in five in his major-league debut Read More »
Orlando Cepeda and Ray Sadecki had very different reactions when they were traded for one another on May 8, 1966. The trade was announced after the Giants’ three-game sweep of the Cardinals in the final games played at the historic Sportsman’s Park, since renamed Busch Stadium. Cepeda, who had missed almost the entire 1965 season …
May 8, 1966: Cardinals trade for future MVP Orlando Cepeda Read More »
The Los Angeles Angels offered a starting job in a new franchise. In Milwaukee, where he had won the World Series in 1957, there was an offer to join the coaching staff. At age 38, however, Red Schoendienst was eager to return home to St. Louis. After receiving his unconditional release from Milwaukee and turning …
March 7, 1961: Red Schoendienst turns down other offers to return to St. Louis Read More »
After 33 years, Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial were roommates once again – this time in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On February 28, 1989, Hall of Fame president Ed Stack called Schoendienst to share the good news that the 10-time all-star had been elected to the Hall of Fame by the veterans committee. …
February 28, 1989: Red Schoendienst is elected to the Hall of Fame Read More »
The same day the Cardinals lost one of the best pitchers in franchise history, another claimed his 3,000th strikeout victim. On July 17, 1974, Bob Gibson claimed the 3,000th strikeout of his career, retiring Cesar Geronimo on strikes in a 6-4 loss to the Reds. Early that morning, Dizzy Dean, the unquestioned ace of the …
July 17, 1974: Bob Gibson throws 3,000th strikeout the same day Dizzy Dean passes away Read More »
On June 27, 1973, Joe Torre hit for the cycle for the first time in his 13-year major league career. He had Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst to thank for it. After hitting an eighth-inning triple to move within a single of the cycle, Torre asked Schoendienst to remove him from the game. Sensing that Torre …
June 27, 1973: Joe Torre hits for the cycle with an assist from Red Schoendienst Read More »
Long before Cardinals general manager Bing Devine traded Ernie Broglio, Doug Clemens, and Bobby Shantz to the Cubs for Lou Brock, Jack Spring, and Paul Toth in June 1964, he’d been laying the groundwork for a deal. The preceding winter, Devine had inquired with Cubs general manager John Holland about Brock’s availability, but been rebuffed. …
June 15, 1964: Cardinals acquire Lou Brock in trade for Ernie Broglio Read More »
Over the course of his 12-year career, Wally Moon was better known for his “Moon shot” home runs than his base-stealing ability. Nonetheless, on May 25, 1954, the rookie center fielder came one stolen base shy of breaking a 50-year-old National League record as he swiped four bags in a 9-4 Cardinals win over the …
May 25, 1954: Wally Moon steals four bases, nearly ties 50-year-old NL record Read More »
