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<site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">202517949</site>	<item>
		<title>Why Todd Zeile was converted to third base</title>
		<link>https://www.stlredbirds.com/2025/01/03/why-todd-zeile-was-converted-to-third-base/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[rememberyourredbirds]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 04 Jan 2025 00:54:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA['90s]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1990]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1990s]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Torre]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Todd Zeile]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.stlredbirds.com/?p=7183</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When Todd Zeile began his first full big-league season in 1990, he was heralded as the Cardinals’ most promising catching prospect in years. By September, he was the team’s starting third baseman. A second-round draft pick out of UCLA in 1986, Zeile entered the 1990 season ranked as baseball’s No. 7 prospect by Baseball America. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2025/01/03/why-todd-zeile-was-converted-to-third-base/">Why Todd Zeile was converted to third base</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com">STLRedbirds.com</a>.</p>]]></description>
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<p class="">When <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zeileto01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-01-03_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Todd Zeile</a> began his first full big-league season in 1990, he was heralded as the Cardinals’ most promising catching prospect in years. By September, he was the team’s starting third baseman.</p>
<p>A second-round draft pick out of UCLA in 1986, Zeile entered the 1990 season ranked as baseball’s No. 7 prospect by <em>Baseball America</em>. In 1989, he showcased his potential by hitting .289 with 19 home runs and 85 RBIs for Triple-A Louisville. That performance earned him a brief stint in the majors, where he hit .256 with one home run and eight RBIs in 93 at-bats.</p>
<p>Heading into 1990, the Cardinals had high hopes for Zeile and the team as a whole, believing they could contend for the NL East crown. Instead, St. Louis stumbled out of the gate and sank to the bottom of the standings. In June, with the team sitting at 33-47, manager <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/herzowh01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-01-03_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Whitey Herzog</a> <a title="Why Whitey Herzog resigned as Cardinals manager" href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2023/07/26/why-whitey-herzog-resigned-as-cardinals-manager/">abruptly resigned</a>.</p>
<p class="">As a rookie on a struggling team, Zeile faced typical ups and downs. During the first half of the season, he hit .227 with eight homers and 30 RBIs – respectable numbers for a catcher, but below the lofty expectations of Cardinals fans. Compounding the frustration, Zeile’s defense behind the plate was inconsistent, further magnifying the team’s struggles.</p>
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<p class="">With veteran catcher <a style="font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pagnoto01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-01-03_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tom Pagnozzi</a><span style="font-size: 16px;"> playing well, interim manager </span><a style="font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schoere01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-01-03_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Red Schoendienst</a><span style="font-size: 16px;"> began resting Zeile more frequently. Rumors suggested that Zeile might be destined for third base, where </span><a style="font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pendlte01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-01-03_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Terry Pendleton</a><span style="font-size: 16px;"> was playing out the final year of his contract.</span></p>
<p>On August 1, the <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>’s Dan O’Neill highlighted the criticism Zeile was facing, writing that “open season” had been declared on the rookie.</p>
<p class="">“Load up and take your best shot – the fans are, broadcasters are, even teammates,” O’Neill wrote. “Rip him up one side about not blocking the plate, then rip him down the other side about leaving runners on base. Talk about playing him at third base. Talk about playing him in the outfield. Talk about not playing him at all.</p>
<p>“Talk about a bunch of nonsense. Last season around this time, St. Louisans were clamoring for the Cardinals to bring up Zeile … the savior … the franchise … the future. Now, many of the same are disillusioned because the rosy, best-case scenario they envisioned hasn’t materialized. Now, after Zeile has played in fewer than 100 games, they’re ready to give up on him.”<a id="_ednref1" href="#_edn1">[1]</a></p>
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<p>On the same day that O’Neill’s column was published, the Cardinals announced that <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/torrejo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-01-03_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Joe Torre</a> would take over as manager. Torre, who had transitioned from catcher to third base during his own playing career with the Cardinals, was open to exploring a similar move for Zeile.</p>
<p>“I’ve heard he can play there, and if that’s the case, I’m going to take a look at him there,” Torre said. “If he has the ability to be the offensive player that I’ve heard, it will further his career. It did for me.”<a id="_ednref2" href="#_edn2">[2]</a></p>
<p>The possibility created a stir in St. Louis and left Zeile unsure of his future. After all, nobody with the team had said anything to him about changing positions.</p>
<p>“He was concerned because everybody was asking him if (third base) was going to be his full-time job,” Torre said. “I tried to explain to him there’s no plan for playing him full time at third base. I told him, ‘Maybe down the road, you might want that. But not now.’”<a id="_ednref3" href="#_edn3">[3]</a></p>
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<p>Zeile echoed the sentiment.</p>
<p>“I think the whole thing about me playing third base got blown out of proportion,” Zeile said. “I’m not here to be a third baseman.”<a id="_ednref4" href="#_edn4">[4]</a></p>
<p>Still, the idea gained traction, especially as Pagnozzi continued to excel behind the plate. In 69 games in 1990, Pagnozzi hit .277 and played stellar defense, generating 2.1 wins above replacement (WAR) despite limited playing time.</p>
<p>To prepare Zeile for the potential position switch, Torre enlisted George Kissell, the legendary Cardinals instructor who had helped Torre make his own transition years earlier.</p>
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<p>“I’m just looking at what the flexibility is for me to do certain things,” Torre said. “In certain situations, instead of a day off, he’ll play third base. That’s like a day off from catching, believe me. I convinced him that’s the way we want to go, and he seems more relaxed about it.”<a id="_ednref5" href="#_edn5">[5]</a></p>
<p>While Zeile was willing to learn the position, he made it clear he considered himself a catcher.</p>
<p>“It just doesn’t seem rational or make a whole lot of sense to play me at third except for on a part-time basis or on a day off from catching once in a while,” he said. “I think I have the potential to be a very good catcher. I’m a better catcher than I am a third baseman. You don’t have a lot of opportunity to get a decent catcher in this league. So I went in and asked (Torre) why they would even talk about doing that.”<a id="_ednref6" href="#_edn6">[6]</a></p>
<p><em>Post-Dispatch</em> columnist Bernie Miklasz offered an explanation, noting that the Cardinals lacked an obvious successor to Pendleton at third base for 1991. Additionally, he suggested that Zeile’s offensive production might improve if he moved to a position with fewer physical demands.<a id="_ednref7" href="#_edn7">[7]</a></p>
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<p class="">In August, Zeile began splitting time between catcher and first base, appearing in nine of his final 10 games that month at first. On September 5, he made his debut at third base in a 6-2 loss to the Expos, and Torre announced that Zeile would finish the season there.</p>
<p>“What are my options?” Zeile said. “I’m a rookie and they’re going to do what they think is best for the team. There’s not a lot I can do about it.”<a id="_ednref8" href="#_edn8">[8]</a></p>
<p>Torre was true to his word, starting Zeile at third base in each of his final 24 games of the season. With Zeile at third, Pendleton was moved to a bench role.</p>
<p>“I called Terry in and explained what we’re going to do,” Torre said. “He wasn’t happy about it, but he’s a trouper.”<a id="_ednref9" href="#_edn9">[9]</a></p>
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<p>Pendleton echoed the frustration. “It’s been one of those unfortunate years,” he said.<a id="_ednref10" href="#_edn10">[10]</a></p>
<p>Meanwhile, Zeile continued to believe his best path forward lay at catcher.</p>
<p>“If they have (given up) and they don’t feel I can handle it as a catcher, I wouldn’t mind catching somewhere else,” he said. “But I don’t want to, by any means. I’m happy as heck here. And I’m not saying that if I did play third, I wouldn’t be happy. There are worse positions to be in than starting third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. By far.”</p>
<p>In his first 10 games at the hot corner, Zeile made three errors.</p>
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<p>“I don’t feel uncomfortable at all,” he said. “They’ve been avoiding me. I thought they’d be laying down more bunts.”<a id="_ednref11" href="#_edn11">[11]</a></p>
<p>Zeile finished the season with a .244 batting average and 57 RBIs. His 25 doubles and 15 homers were the most by a Cardinals rookie since <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boyerke01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-01-03_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ken Boyer</a> totaled 27 doubles and 18 homers in 1955. Zeile finished sixth in the NL Rookie of the Year Award voting.</p>
<p>“I had all those expectations this year, and early in the year when I struggled, I got bashed pretty hard by the press and the fans,” Zeile said. “The way they built me up, there was almost no way they could not be disappointed in me the way I started. I finally got to the point where I could handle catching and my offense. I thought next year was going to be great. I’d be coming into a totally relaxed atmosphere. I would have all this stuff behind me in the first year. Then, all of a sudden, I’m thrust into a new spot. I think that’s what threw me at first.”<a id="_ednref12" href="#_edn12">[12]</a></p>
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<p>Ahead of the 1991 season, the Cardinals made the move permanent, moving Zeile to third base and handing the catching duties to Pagnozzi. Pagnozzi <a title="How Tom Pagnozzi won his first Gold Glove in 1991" href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2023/12/05/how-tom-pagnozzi-won-his-first-gold-glove-in-1991/">won the first of three Gold Glove awards</a> that season.</p>
<p>Zeile played third base throughout the remainder of his 16-year MLB career. Before he retired at the end of the 2004 season, Zeile made two final starts at catcher for the Mets, his first appearances at the position in more than 14 seasons.</p>
<p>After the Cardinals traded him to the Cubs in 1995, Zeile went on to play for the Phillies, Orioles, Dodgers, Marlins, Rangers, Mets, Rockies, Yankees, and Expos. After 2,158 career games, he retired with 253 homers, 1,110 RBIs, and a .265 career batting average.</p>
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<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn1" href="#_ednref1">[1]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Zeile Bashers Take Note: Give Him A Break,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 1, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn2" href="#_ednref2">[2]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Zeile Has Help For A Possible Move To Third,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 2, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn3" href="#_ednref3">[3]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Torre Assures Zeile That He’s No. 1 Catcher,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 8, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn4" href="#_ednref4">[4]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Torre Assures Zeile That He’s No. 1 Catcher,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 8, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn5" href="#_ednref5">[5]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Torre Assures Zeile That He’s No. 1 Catcher,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 8, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn6" href="#_ednref6">[6]</a> Bernie Miklasz, “Zeile At Home Behind Plate, Not At Third,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 10, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn7" href="#_ednref7">[7]</a> Bernie Miklasz, “Zeile At Home Behind Plate, Not At Third,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 10, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn8" href="#_ednref8">[8]</a> Rick Hummel, “Zeile’s Position: Confusion,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, September 18, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn9" href="#_ednref9">[9]</a> Jeff Gordon, “Cardinals Hope Zeile Will Catch On At Third,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, September 6, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn10" href="#_ednref10">[10]</a> Jeff Gordon, “Cardinals Hope Zeile Will Catch On At Third,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, September 6, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn11" href="#_ednref11">[11]</a> Rick Hummel, “Zeile’s Position: Confusion,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, September 18, 1990.</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn12" href="#_ednref12">[12]</a> Rick Hummel, “Zeile’s Position: Confusion,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, September 18, 1990.</p>
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<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} /--><p>The post <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2025/01/03/why-todd-zeile-was-converted-to-third-base/">Why Todd Zeile was converted to third base</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com">STLRedbirds.com</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7183</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>August 25, 1991: Lee Smith earns his 300th save</title>
		<link>https://www.stlredbirds.com/2022/06/18/august-25-1991-lee-smith-earns-his-300th-career-save/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[rememberyourredbirds]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jun 2022 01:50:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA['90s]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1991]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lee Smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rheal Cormier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Todd Zeile]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.stlredbirds.com/?p=3882</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>On August 25, 1991, Lee Smith became just the fifth pitcher to reach the 300-save milestone, joining Rollie Fingers, Jeff Reardon, Rich Gossage, and Bruce Sutter as baseball’s top closers. “Starting pitchers use 300 wins as a measuring stick for the Hall of Fame,” Cardinals manager Joe Torre said. “For him to get 300 saves [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2022/06/18/august-25-1991-lee-smith-earns-his-300th-career-save/">August 25, 1991: Lee Smith earns his 300th save</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com">STLRedbirds.com</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="has-medium-font-size">On August 25, 1991, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithle02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Lee Smith</a> became just the fifth pitcher to reach the 300-save milestone, joining <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fingero01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Rollie Fingers</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reardje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jeff Reardon</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gossari01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Rich Gossage</a>, and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suttebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bruce Sutter</a> as baseball’s top closers.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size">“Starting pitchers use 300 wins as a measuring stick for the Hall of Fame,” Cardinals manager <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/torrejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Joe Torre</a> said. “For him to get 300 saves means he’s been a part of 300 victories. You might just put that in the same category. He’s right up there.”<a id="_ednref1" href="#_edn1">[1]</a></p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size">The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Smith took an unlikely path to 300 saves and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Born in northern Louisiana, Smith’s favorite sport was basketball and he didn’t play baseball until his junior season. Nonetheless, his strong right arm stood out, and no less an authority than Negro Leagues legend Buck O’Neil scouted him. Upon O’Neil’s recommendation, the Chicago Cubs selected him in the second round of the 1975 draft.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size">Smith made his major-league debut as a 22-year-old in 1980 and soon emerged as the heir apparent to Sutter in Chicago. In 1983, he posted a 1.65 ERA and led the league with 29 saves. He saved at least 31 games in each of the next four seasons. After he saved 36 games and was named an all-star for the second time in his career in 1987, the Cubs traded him to the Boston Red Sox for <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nippeal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Al Nipper</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schirca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Calvin Schiraldi</a>.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size">Smith pitched two-plus seasons in Boston, saving 60 games before he was <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2021/04/16/cardinals-trade-tom-brunansky-to-boston-for-lee-smith/">traded to the Cardinals</a> on May 4, 1990, for <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brunato01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tom Brunansky</a>. By the time he arrived in St. Louis, he already had saved at least 25 games for eight consecutive seasons.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size">“He’s been durable for a guy who throws as hard as he does,” Torre said. “What has helped Lee is the fact that he pitched in places like Chicago and Boston. He’s had to learn to pitch, not just be a thrower.”<a id="_ednref2" href="#_edn2">[2]</a></p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size">Smith agreed.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size">“Pitching in Chicago is the best thing that ever happened to me, especially someone my height,” Smith said. “I had to learn to keep the ball down. In Wrigley Field, you’ve got to make good pitches even when the count is 0-and-2.”<a id="_ednref3" href="#_edn3">[3]</a></p>

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<p class="has-medium-font-size">In St. Louis, Smith picked up saves faster than ever. After saving 27 games for the Cardinals in 1990, Smith entered 1991 with 265 career saves. By late August, he found himself on the cusp of 300. With saves in six consecutive appearances, including a scoreless ninth inning to cap off a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 23, Smith entered the series finale against the Dodgers on August 25 with a 2.47 ERA.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">“The other guys (in the bullpen) are the unsung heroes,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t be having the year I’m having if it weren’t for guys like Scottie (<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/terrysc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Scott Terry</a>). Everywhere else I’ve been, I’ve had to come in and pitch 2 to 2 1/3 innings, but here, I know I’m just going to be used for one inning or one situation most of the time. That’s because Joe has the confidence to use the other guys. They’ve been tremendous.”<a id="_ednref4" href="#_edn4">[4]</a></p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">Torre used the same formula ahead of Smith’s 300<sup>th</sup> career save.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">The Cardinals and Dodgers exchanged runs in the first inning as L.A.’s <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strawda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Darryl Strawberry</a> grounded out to score <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/butlebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Brett Butler</a> and St. Louis’s <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zeileto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Todd Zeile</a> hit an RBI double to tie the game.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">The Cardinals took the lead in the third inning after rookie starting pitcher <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cormirh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Rheal Cormier</a> and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithoz01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ozzie Smith</a> each singled. Zeile scored Cormier on an infield single to give St. Louis the 2-1 lead.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">Cormier pitched into the sixth inning. After retiring the first two batters of the frame, Strawberry hit a line drive that struck Cormier on his left arm. Cormier left the game immediately (though x-rays after the game were negative<a id="_ednref5" href="#_edn5">[5]</a>), and Torre turned to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/frasewi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Willie Fraser</a> to face the switch-hitting <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murraed02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Eddie Murray</a>. Murray grounded out to end the inning.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">“I thought it was broken,” Cormier said. “It felt like it was real bad. I knew I had to come out.”<a id="_ednref6" href="#_edn6">[6]</a></p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">Zeile led off the bottom of the sixth with his second ground-rule double of the game. After Dodgers starting pitcher <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/belchti01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tim Belcher</a> intentionally walked <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thompmi02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Milt Thompson</a> to get to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hudlere01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Rex Hudler</a>, the “Wonder Dog” made him pay, hitting a line drive to right field to score Zeile.  Catcher <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pagnoto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tom Pagnozzi</a> followed with a sacrifice bunt that scored Thompson and extended the lead to 4-1.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">Butler hit an RBI single in the seventh to score the Dodgers’ second run of the game, but <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithoz01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ozzie Smith</a> answered with an RBI that gave the Cardinals a 5-2 lead.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">The Dodgers threatened in the eighth as <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/webstmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mitch Webster</a> and Strawberry each singled against Cardinals reliever <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=mcclubo01,mcclubo02&amp;search=Bob+McClure&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bob McClure</a>. McClure got Murray to bounce into a 5-4-3 double play, but after he walked <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cartega01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Gary Carter</a>, Torre called upon <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carpecr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Cris Carpenter</a>. Dodgers manager <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lasorto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tommy Lasorda</a> countered with pinch-hitter <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/danieka01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Kal Daniels</a>, who grounded out to end the inning.</p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size">With a 5-2 lead heading into the ninth inning, it was <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithle02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Lee Smith</a>’s opportunity to make history. He opened the inning by retiring <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harrile01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Lenny Harris</a> on a ground ball, then got pinch-hitter <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/javiest01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Stan Javier</a> to fly out to shallow left field.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">With two outs, however, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/butlebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Brett Butler</a> and pinch-hitter <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sciosmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mike Scioscia</a> each singled. With Webster at the plate representing the tying run, Lee Smith induced an infield fly that he caught himself for the 300<sup>th</sup> save of his career.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">“It’s another save,” he said. “I don’t worry too much about those things right now. After the season I might look at the statistics, but right now I don’t look at it too much. The important thing is we won.”<a id="_ednref7" href="#_edn7">[7]</a></p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">Cormier earned the second win of his career, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">“He did a helluva job,” Torre said. “He throws strikes. He’s not afraid to come inside and challenge people. He keeps that guy close at first. He’s a little bulldog.”<a id="_ednref8" href="#_edn8">[8]</a></p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">Zeile and Ozzie Smith each finished with three hits and Hudler added two.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">Lee Smith’s outstanding season proved to be arguably the best of his 18-year major-league career. After leading all of baseball with a career-high 47 saves, he placed second to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/glavito02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tom Glavine</a> in the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/youngcy01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Cy Young</a> Award balloting and was eighth in the National League MVP vote.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">In 1992, Lee Smith saved 43 games with a 3.12 ERA. Once again, he was named an all-star and finished fourth in the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/youngcy01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Cy Young</a> voting. On April 13, 1993, he <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2022/03/11/lee-smith-becomes-baseballs-career-saves-leader/">became baseball’s career saves leader</a>, passing <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reardje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jeff Reardon</a> with his 358<sup>th</sup> save. Smith saved 43 games with a 4.50 ERA that season before the Cardinals traded him to the Yankees on August 31 for <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/batchri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Rich Batchelor</a>.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">In four seasons in St. Louis, Lee Smith saved 160 games with a 2.90 ERA. He retired in 1997 with 478 saves and remained baseball’s saves king until <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hoffmtr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Trevor Hoffman</a> passed his career total in 2006.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size">Lee Smith was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018 by the Today’s Game Committee.</p>
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<p>

</p>
<p><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong>Enjoy this post?<em><strong> Find similar stories listed <a href="https://stlredbirds.com/find-stories-by-decade/">by decade</a> or <a href="https://stlredbirds.com/players/">by player</a>.</strong></em></strong></em></strong></em></strong></em></strong></em></p>
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<p style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="_edn1" href="#_ednref1">[1]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Smith Hits Milestone: 300 Saves,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 26, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="_edn2" href="#_ednref2">[2]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Smith Hits Milestone: 300 Saves,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 26, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="_edn3" href="#_ednref3">[3]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Smith Hits Milestone: 300 Saves,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 26, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="_edn4" href="#_ednref4">[4]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Cards Win Quietly 2-1,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 24, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="_edn5" href="#_ednref5">[5]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Team Torre ‘Tees Off’ On LA,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 26, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="_edn6" href="#_ednref6">[6]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Cards’ Cormier Gets A Break – Bone Not Fractured,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 26, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="_edn7" href="#_ednref7">[7]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Smith Hits Milestone: 300 Saves,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 26, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="_edn8" href="#_ednref8">[8]</a> Dan O’Neill, “Team Torre ‘Tees Off’ On LA,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 26, 1991.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2022/06/18/august-25-1991-lee-smith-earns-his-300th-career-save/">August 25, 1991: Lee Smith earns his 300th save</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com">STLRedbirds.com</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3882</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Todd Zeile walk-off homer pulls Cardinals into pennant race: August 3, 1991</title>
		<link>https://www.stlredbirds.com/2022/05/24/august-3-1991-todd-zeiles-walk-off-home-run-pulls-the-cardinals-into-the-pennant-race/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[rememberyourredbirds]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2022 01:10:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA['90s]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1990s]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1991]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Todd Zeile]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.stlredbirds.com/?p=3668</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The 1991 season marked a new beginning for the St. Louis Cardinals. In their first full season under new head coach Joe Torre, the Cardinals had an entirely new starting outfield, as Bernard Gilkey, Ray Lankford, and Felix Jose replaced 1990’s opening-day threesome of Vince Coleman, Willie McGee, and Tom Brunansky. No one, however, was [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2022/05/24/august-3-1991-todd-zeiles-walk-off-home-run-pulls-the-cardinals-into-the-pennant-race/">Todd Zeile walk-off homer pulls Cardinals into pennant race: August 3, 1991</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com">STLRedbirds.com</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-size: 20px;">The 1991 season marked a new beginning for the St. Louis Cardinals.</p>



<p style="font-size: 20px;">In their first full season under new head coach <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/torrejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Joe Torre</a>, the Cardinals had an entirely new starting outfield, as <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gilkebe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bernard Gilkey</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lankfra01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ray Lankford</a>, and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/josefe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Felix Jose</a> replaced 1990’s opening-day threesome of <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colemvi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Vince Coleman</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcgeewi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Willie McGee</a>, and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brunato01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tom Brunansky</a>.</p>



<p style="font-size: 20px;">No one, however, was experiencing quite as much change as <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zeileto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Todd Zeile</a>. The 25-year-old had just completed his first full season with the Cardinals, a season in which he hit .244 with 15 homers and 57 RBIs while playing 105 games at catcher.</p>



<p style="font-size: 20px;">Under the tutelage of Torre, who made a similar transition during his playing days, Zeile <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2025/01/03/why-todd-zeile-was-converted-to-third-base/">entered the 1991 season as the Cardinals’ starting third baseman</a>, taking the spot previously held by <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pendlte01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Terry Pendleton</a>, who had left via free agency. The move to third base was designed to allow Zeile to stay fresher throughout the season, allowing his bat to make an even greater impact in St. Louis’s power-starved offense.</p>



<p style="font-size: 20px;">Zeile couldn’t have made a much bigger impact than he did on August 3, 1991, when he launched a 10<sup>th</sup>-inning, walk-off home run over the left-field wall at Busch Stadium to lift the Cardinals to a 6-5 win over the NL East-leading Pirates. The win moved the Cardinals – who were largely expected to be also-rans in the East– into second place in the division, half a game ahead of the Mets and 4 ½ games behind Pittsburgh.</p>

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<p style="font-size: 20px;">“It was like a boxing match,” Cardinals starting pitcher <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bryn Smith</a> said. “Knocked down in the first round, knocked down in the second round. Took a couple of standing eight counts, but didn’t get knocked out.”<a id="_ednref1" href="#_edn1">[1]</a></p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">Prior to Zeile’s game-winning blast, neither side looked particularly sharp playing in 97-degree weather that exceeded 130 degrees on the field.<a id="_ednref2" href="#_edn2">[2]</a> Pittsburgh first baseman <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/merceor01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Orlando Merced</a>, who had three hits on the day, led off the game with a double and advanced to third on an error before scoring. The Pirates extended their lead to 2-0 on a shallow fly ball.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">In the second, the Cardinals cut the Pirates’ lead in half when <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oquenjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jose Oquendo</a> hit an RBI single to right field. One inning later, a misplayed ball in center field allowed Smith to reach base before Ray Lankford drove him home with an RBI double that tied the game.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">The Pirates regained the lead in the top of the fourth when <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lindjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jose Lind</a> doubled, and a throwing error by Cardinals first baseman <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perryge01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Gerald Perry</a> allowed another run to score. Five innings later, Perry represented the game-winning run when he was picked off of first base.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">“Today I felt like I was (the Pirates’) best player,” he said. “The rest of our guys won in spite of me.”<a id="_ednref3" href="#_edn3">[3]</a></p>
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<p style="font-size: 20px;">In the bottom half of the inning, a Pirates error allowed the Cardinals to cut their lead to 4-3. The teams traded runs again in the sixth as Merced hit a ground-rule double for his second RBI of the game and Oquendo brought in a run with a ground ball to second base.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">The Pirates maintained a 5-4 lead until the bottom of the eighth, when <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thompmi02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Milt Thompson</a> led off with a solo home run off <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kippebo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bob Kipper</a>, his first home run off a lefthander since May 4, 1989.<a id="_ednref4" href="#_edn4">[4]</a></p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">After <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithle02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Lee Smith</a> threw scoreless ninth and 10<sup>th</sup> innings, Zeile led off the bottom of the 10<sup>th</sup> for St. Louis. Pirates reliever <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pattebo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bob Patterson</a> threw three consecutive balls to open the at-bat. After a strike ran the count to 3-and-1, Zeile jumped on the fifth pitch, sending the game-winning blast 402 feet,<a id="_ednref5" href="#_edn5">[5]</a> well past the left-field wall.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">“I’ve never hit one to win a game,” Zeile said. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about it a little, but I was also thinking of not getting myself out by swinging for the home run. I got to 3-and-0 and I knew I had the take. I just wanted to get a good look at it, get the timing down. After it was 3-and-1, I crept up on the plate before the swing.”<a id="_ednref6" href="#_edn6">[6]</a></p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">Pirates left fielder <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bondsba01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Barry Bonds</a> didn’t even turn around to see where Zeile’s home run landed, opting instead to immediately begin the trek back to the Pirates’ clubhouse.<a id="_ednref7" href="#_edn7">[7]</a></p>
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<p style="font-size: 20px;">“I knew that I’d got it,” Zeile said. “I didn’t stand there and watch it, but I was enjoying it more than I usually get a chance to – especially in this ballpark. That’s probably the highlight of this year for me.”<a id="_ednref8" href="#_edn8">[8]</a></p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">Zeile finished the game with three hits, matching Oquendo and Thompson. <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/terrysc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Scott Terry</a> and Lee Smith each threw two scoreless innings. Lee Smith was credited with the win, his sixth of the season.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">Incredibly, for the 56-win Cardinals, it marked their 12<sup>th</sup> walk-off win of the season.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">“We played like General Custer circling the wagons,” Lee Smith said, “but when you play lousy and pitch lousy and you win, it’s awesome.”<a id="_ednref9" href="#_edn9">[9]</a></p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">The Pirates 4 ½-game game lead marked the Cardinals’ smallest deficit since June 28. Suddenly, the Redbirds seemed like they might be unlikely contenders in the final months of the regular season.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">“To tell you the truth, if I knew this team wasn’t going to re-sign Terry Pendleton, Willie McGee, and Vince Coleman, I would have never signed a new contract last summer,” Lee Smith said. “No way. I would have wanted to go to a team that had a chance. But I signed and look at this. Baseball is a crazy game. Unpredictable.”<a id="_ednref10" href="#_edn10">[10]</a></p>
<p>

</p>
<p style="font-size: 20px;">In late August, the Cardinals won both games in a two-game series with the Giants to pull within four games. Pittsburgh, however, pulled away in the final month, winning the division by 14 games over the second-place Cardinals, who finished with an 84-78 record.</p>
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<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn1" href="#_ednref1">[1]</a> Rick Hummel, “Cards Deck Pirates 6-5 – Zeile’s Homer In 10<sup>th</sup> Is Low Blow For Bucs,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 4, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn2" href="#_ednref2">[2]</a> Joe Ostermeier, “Cards rally to defeat Pirates in 10<sup>th</sup>,” <em>Belleville News-Democrat</em>, August 4, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn3" href="#_ednref3">[3]</a> Rick Hummel, “Cards Deck Pirates 6-5 – Zeile’s Homer In 10<sup>th</sup> Is Low Blow For Bucs,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 4, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn4" href="#_ednref4">[4]</a> Rick Hummel, “Cards Deck Pirates 6-5 – Zeile’s Homer In 10<sup>th</sup> Is Low Blow For Bucs,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 4, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn5" href="#_ednref5">[5]</a> Joe Ostermeier, “Cards rally to defeat Pirates in 10<sup>th</sup>,” <em>Belleville News-Democrat</em>, August 4, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn6" href="#_ednref6">[6]</a> Rick Hummel, “Cards Deck Pirates 6-5 – Zeile’s Homer In 10<sup>th</sup> Is Low Blow For Bucs,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 4, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn7" href="#_ednref7">[7]</a> Bernie Miklasz, “Make-Believers? These Cards Are Making Believers,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 4, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn8" href="#_ednref8">[8]</a> Rick Hummel, “Cards Deck Pirates 6-5 – Zeile’s Homer In 10<sup>th</sup> Is Low Blow For Bucs,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 4, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn9" href="#_ednref9">[9]</a> Rick Hummel, “Cards Deck Pirates 6-5 – Zeile’s Homer In 10<sup>th</sup> Is Low Blow For Bucs,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 4, 1991.</p>
<p>

</p>
<p class="has-small-font-size"><a id="_edn10" href="#_ednref10">[10]</a> Bernie Miklasz, “Make-Believers? These Cards Are Making Believers,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, August 4, 1991.</p>
<p></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2022/05/24/august-3-1991-todd-zeiles-walk-off-home-run-pulls-the-cardinals-into-the-pennant-race/">Todd Zeile walk-off homer pulls Cardinals into pennant race: August 3, 1991</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com">STLRedbirds.com</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3668</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Ozzie Smith swipes 500th career stolen base: April 26, 1992</title>
		<link>https://www.stlredbirds.com/2021/04/23/april-26-1992-ozzie-smith-swipes-his-500th-career-stolen-base/</link>
					<comments>https://www.stlredbirds.com/2021/04/23/april-26-1992-ozzie-smith-swipes-his-500th-career-stolen-base/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[remembirds]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Apr 2021 16:05:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA['90s]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1990s]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1992]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ozzie Smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ray Lankford]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Todd Zeile]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stlredbirds.com/?p=1079</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Heading into the 1992 season, Ozzie Smith was on the cusp of history. With 499 career stolen bases, the Wizard 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 [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2021/04/23/april-26-1992-ozzie-smith-swipes-his-500th-career-stolen-base/">Ozzie Smith swipes 500th career stolen base: April 26, 1992</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com">STLRedbirds.com</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Heading into the 1992 season, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithoz01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ozzie Smith</a> was on the cusp of history.</p>
<p>With 499 career stolen bases, the Wizard was set to become just the 16<sup>th</sup> 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 had only tried once.</p>
<p>At Busch Stadium, he responded by stealing not only his 500<sup>th</sup> bag but also two more for good measure.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Trades-That-Made-Louis-Cardinals-ebook/dp/B0G9WLX6HK/"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-7413 size-medium" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.stlredbirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Trades-Ad-copy.webp?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1" alt="The Trades That Made The St. Louis Cardinals. Ebook and Paperback Available now on Amazon!" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.stlredbirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Trades-Ad-copy.webp?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.stlredbirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Trades-Ad-copy.webp?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/www.stlredbirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Trades-Ad-copy.webp?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>
<p>Smith captured his milestone in the fourth inning after leading off with a single. With <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zeileto01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Todd Zeile</a> at the plate, Smith took off on a 2-0 pitch. The umpire ruled him safe. Then the fans began to chant his name.</p>
<p>“It’s a great achievement when you think about the number of people who have played the game, to be only the 16<sup>th</sup> one to do it,” said Smith, who took off his helmet and saluted the fans in response to their cheers. “I guess when you’re around a long time, things like that happen.”<a href="#_edn1" name="_ednref1">[1]</a></p>
<p>Smith didn’t stay at 500 stolen bases for long. Zeile drew a walk, and with <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jordabr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Brian Jordan</a> at the plate, Expos starter <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/haneych01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Chris Haney</a> attempted to pick off Zeile at first. Smith took advantage of the distraction to steal third.</p>
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<p>Smith singled again to lead off the sixth but was stranded at third. In the eighth, he singled to center field and stole second on Haney’s first pitch to Zeile. It marked the 10<sup>th</sup> time in his career that Smith had stolen three bases in a game.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Smith provided the bulk of the Cardinals’ offense in the 6-0 loss as Haney held the Cardinals to just five hits in the complete-game effort. He struck out eight.</p>
<p>Haney said the key was keeping leadoff man <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lankfra01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.stlredbirds.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ray Lankford</a> off base so that Smith’s base hits didn’t turn into rallies.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Trades-That-Made-Louis-Cardinals-ebook/dp/B0G9WLX6HK/"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-7413 size-medium" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.stlredbirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Trades-Ad-copy.webp?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1" alt="The Trades That Made The St. Louis Cardinals. Ebook and Paperback Available now on Amazon!" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.stlredbirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Trades-Ad-copy.webp?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.stlredbirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Trades-Ad-copy.webp?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/www.stlredbirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Trades-Ad-copy.webp?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>
<p>“I mean, those three singles were hit so that they could have easily moved Lankford to third if he’d somehow been on,” Haney said. “Lankford on third? We’re talking trouble then.”<a href="#_edn2" name="_ednref2">[2]</a></p>
<p>Smith went on to steal 43 bases in 1992 while batting .295. He made his 12<sup>th</sup> All-Star Game appearance that season and won his 13<sup>th</sup> and final Gold Glove Award.</p>
<p>Following the 1996 season, he retired with 580 career stolen bases. He was <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2021/12/18/ozzie-smith-is-elected-to-the-hall-of-fame/">elected to the Hall of Fame</a> in 2001 in his first year on the ballot.</p>
<hr />
<p><em><strong>Give the gift of Cardinals history! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Trades-That-Made-Louis-Cardinals-ebook/dp/B0G9WLX6HK/">The Trades That Made The St. Louis Cardinals</a> is available now on Amazon.</strong></em></p>
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<p><a href="#_ednref1" name="_edn1">[1]</a> Vahe Gregorian, “Ozzie Gets Milestone 500<sup>th</sup> Stolen Base,” <em>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</em>, April 27, 1992.</p>
<p><a href="#_ednref2" name="_edn2">[2]</a> Jeff Blair, “Haney delivers nifty wake-up call,” <em>Montreal Gazette</em>, April 27, 1992.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com/2021/04/23/april-26-1992-ozzie-smith-swipes-his-500th-career-stolen-base/">Ozzie Smith swipes 500th career stolen base: April 26, 1992</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.stlredbirds.com">STLRedbirds.com</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
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