It was fitting that Vince Coleman’s first career home run was of the inside-the-park variety. On May 21, 1985, the rookie outfielder hit his first career homer, Willie McGee stole three bases, and Ricky Horton threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to lift the Cardinals to a 6-3 win over the Braves. The Cardinals …
May 21, 1985: Vince Coleman’s first career homer stays inside the park Read More »
Just weeks before the Cardinals were set to open the 1985 season, Whitey Herzog predicted that his club’s top prospect, Vince Coleman, had the talent to one day win the Rookie of the Year Award. He had no idea that day would come just 9 ½ months later. “You talk about a man with a …
November 27, 1985: Vince Coleman wins the National League Rookie of the Year Award 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 …
November 18, 1985: Willie McGee is named National League MVP Read More »
There wasn’t a catcher in baseball who could stop Vince Coleman during his rookie campaign in 1985. Unfortunately, the same rule didn’t apply to the Busch Stadium tarp. The Cardinals initially didn’t plan for Coleman to break their starting lineup in 1985. Coleman went just 4-for-29 in spring training[1] and was optioned to Triple-A Louisville …
October 13, 1985: Busch Stadium’s automated tarp runs over Vince Coleman’s legs Read More »
Bob Forsch may have made his name as a pitcher, but the Sacramento, California, native originally was drafted for his bat. On August 10, 1986, the veteran right-hander used both to lift the Cardinals to a 5-4 victory over the Pirates. Upon joining the Cardinals’ farm system, the 26th-round 1968 draft pick played third base …
August 10, 1986: Bob Forsch hits a grand slam to top the Pirates, 5-4 Read More »
If you’re going to steal 110 bases as a rookie, you don’t have any time to waste. So when Tito Landrum and Willie McGee both went down with injuries, Vince Coleman made sure to make the most of his opportunity. Coleman had been attracting headlines for two years, ever since setting a new professional baseball …
April 18, 1985: Vince Coleman steals two bags in his MLB debut Read More »
Headed into the 1985 season, the St. Louis Cardinals were an enigma. After trading Keith Hernandez to the New York Mets in 1984 and allowing Bruce Sutter to leave for Atlanta via free agency, Cardinals fans feared that star shortstop Ozzie Smith, entering the last year of his contract, would be the next Redbird out …
April 15, 1985: Ozzie Smith announces new contract, homers in Cardinals’ home opener Read More »