Dick Nen reached the pinnacle of his career in his first big-league game. He played in 366 more after that, but nothing topped what he did against the Cardinals in his debut. On Sept. 18, 1963, in his second at-bat in the majors, Nen slammed a home run for the Dodgers, tying the score in the ninth inning and stunning the Cardinals. The Dodgers went on to win, completing a … [Read more...] about How Dick Nen made dramatic debut versus Cardinals
Lessons learned: Tony La Russa did his homework
In 2025, Tony La Russa was interviewed by Jon Paul Morosi for the Baseball Hall of Fame podcast “The Road to Cooperstown.” Here are excerpts: Being a lifelong learner: La Russa: “The educational emphasis was from my mother … She was insisting on me going to college. (La Russa earned a law degree from Florida State.) The other thing she did, for which I am forever thankful, as … [Read more...] about Lessons learned: Tony La Russa did his homework
In St. Louis, President Taft declared, ‘Let’s play two’
President William Howard Taft was a large man with a big appetite for food and baseball. During a visit to St. Louis, he was treated to generous portions of both. On May 4, 1910, Taft attended two big-league games that afternoon, watching an inning of a National League matchup, Reds versus Cardinals, at Robison Field before going to Sportsman’s Park to see some American League … [Read more...] about In St. Louis, President Taft declared, ‘Let’s play two’
Extra-special: Jim Bottomley was extra-base hit specialist
Though it is a franchise that has benefitted from hitters the likes of Stan Musial, Rogers Hornsby, Albert Pujols, Lou Brock and Enos Slaughter, the Cardinals have had only one player achieve 20 doubles, 20 triples and 20 home runs in a season: Jim Bottomley. A left-handed batter whose stroke regularly produced highly elevated line drives, Bottomley totaled 42 doubles, 20 … [Read more...] about Extra-special: Jim Bottomley was extra-base hit specialist
Bobby Tiefenauer made his best pitch and got hitched
In September 1950, Bobby Tiefenauer was young, successful and in love. A 20-year-old reliever for a Cardinals farm club in Winston-Salem, N.C., Tiefenauer threw a knuckleball that had batters swinging at air. His manager, George Kissell, credited him with making his team the best in the league. Tiefenauer’s No. 1 fan was his sweetheart back home in the mining district of … [Read more...] about Bobby Tiefenauer made his best pitch and got hitched