The rivalry between the St. Louis and Chicago baseball teams may never have been more heated than on September 22, 1974, when a Cardinals-Cubs brawl added heat to the National League East pennant race. One inning after punching Bill Madlock in the face and sparking the bench-clearing brawl, Cardinals catcher Ted Simmons capped off his […]
The 1974 Cardinals-Cubs brawl sparked by Simmons, Hrabosky Read More »
After the first three batters of the ninth inning reached, putting the go-ahead run on third base, Al Hrabosky knew he needed to tap into something primal to escape the jam against the defending World Series champion Cincinnati Reds. “I talk to the gypsy war gods,” he explained afterward. “I work myself into a controlled
Al Hrabosky and the gypsy war gods stifle Reds: May 9, 1977 Read More »
The first time Darrell Porter met Whitey Herzog, he asked the Royals manager what was expected of him. Porter had just arrived in Kansas City in a trade from the Brewers, while Herzog was coming off his second season with the Royals, a 90-win campaign that resulted in an American League West championship. “I expect
Whitey Herzog begins 1980 roster rebuild with Darrell Porter Read More »
Technically, Lou Brock’s pursuit of 3,000 career hits began September 10, 1962, when he singled in his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs. However, the Cardinals legend didn’t give serious thought to the milestone until speaking to Detroit Tigers outfielder Al Kaline in 1974. That season, the 40-year-old Kaline had reached the milestone in
August 13, 1979: Lou Brock collects his 3,000th career hit in resurgent final season 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
Joe Torre hits for the cycle with an assist from Red Schoendienst: June 27, 1973 Read More »
Bob Gibson predicted many times throughout his career that he would never throw a no-hitter.[1] Before taking the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 14, 1971, he still had never thrown one. Not in college. Not in the minors. Not even in the 1968, a season dubbed the “year of the pitcher,” in no
Bob Gibson pitches his ‘greatest game’ with no-hitter: August 14, 1971 Read More »