As an amateur pitcher, Ryan Kurosaki experienced a dramatic change in climate, landscape and culture, leaving the tropical paradise of Hawaii after high school and going to the prairies of Nebraska to attend college. After making that transition, a leap from the minors at Arkansas to big-league St. Louis might seem feasible, but it turned out to be too much too … [Read more...] about How Ryan Kurosaki got lost in Cardinals system
How Garry Templeton transformed from shortstop to skipper
As a Cardinals player who struggled to manage his emotions, Garry Templeton didn’t seem a likely candidate to manage others. Yet that’s precisely what he did. A shortstop for 16, sometimes stormy, seasons in the big leagues, Templeton went on to spend 13 years as a manager in the minors, often at the lowest levels. He managed in the Angels’ system for four seasons, … [Read more...] about How Garry Templeton transformed from shortstop to skipper
Yadier Molina to Manny Ramirez: Don’t tread on me
Game 4 of the 2004 World Series was remarkable for more than the obvious reason. It was the game the Red Sox won to become World Series champions for the first time in 86 years. The magnitude of that achievement overshadowed another facet of that game: a drama that underscored the fortitude of the Cardinals’ rookie catcher, Yadier Molina. Ever since his unplanned ascension … [Read more...] about Yadier Molina to Manny Ramirez: Don’t tread on me
How a young Curt Flood tried muscling up with Cardinals
Early in his big-league playing career, Curt Flood had a tendency to try hitting home runs, which wasn’t a good idea for someone his size. In 1958, his first season with the Cardinals, Flood, 20, clouted 10 homers. Those are the most home runs of any Cardinals player 20 or younger, according to researcher Tom Orf. The long balls caused Flood to overswing. It wasn’t … [Read more...] about How a young Curt Flood tried muscling up with Cardinals
How Hal McRae showed the way to improved hitting
As a pinch-hitter in 1985, Hal McRae helped the Royals emerge from the brink of elimination against the Cardinals and advance to their first World Series championship. As a hitting coach two decades later, McRae helped the Cardinals become World Series champions for the first time in 24 years. McRae spent more than 40 years in the big leagues _ 19 as a player, 15 as a coach, … [Read more...] about How Hal McRae showed the way to improved hitting