Even as a NFL rookie, Dick Butkus wreaked havoc on the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first regular-season appearance against them, the Chicago Bears middle linebacker intercepted a pass and got into a fight. An eight-time Pro Bowl selection in nine seasons (1965-73) with the Bears, Butkus prowled the football field “like a hungry grizzly,” the Dallas Morning News noted. … [Read more...] about Brute force: How Dick Butkus tangled with Cardinals
Cardinals had role in big moments for Tim Wakefield
A right-handed knuckleball specialist, Tim Wakefield had 200 wins in the majors. The first came against the Cardinals. It was the only time he beat them. The Cardinals and St. Louis were involved in two other prominent games in Wakefield’s career: _ His only World Series appearance, for the Red Sox in 2004, was a start against the Cardinals in Game 1. _ His only selection to … [Read more...] about Cardinals had role in big moments for Tim Wakefield
Field of dreams: Julian Javier paced lineup of Latino stars
In a special game that featured the best Latino players in the majors, Cardinals second baseman Julian Javier did as well as anyone on the field. Sixty years ago, on Oct. 12, 1963, the last baseball game played at the Polo Grounds in New York was a charity event called the Latin American Major League Players Game. Part of the proceeds from the game were targeted for the … [Read more...] about Field of dreams: Julian Javier paced lineup of Latino stars
Homeward bound: Sonny Siebert, Cardinals connect at last
As a youth in south St. Louis County, Sonny Siebert was a fan of second baseman Red Schoendienst and the hometown baseball teams, Cardinals and Browns. Years later, Siebert played for Schoendienst when he managed the Cardinals. A right-hander with the skill to pitch a no-hitter or belt a home run, Siebert was acquired by the Cardinals from the Rangers 50 years ago, on Oct. 26, … [Read more...] about Homeward bound: Sonny Siebert, Cardinals connect at last
Hit or miss: Roric Harrison and the Cardinals
Roric Harrison was an intriguing talent with a distinctive name. A right-hander, he possessed power on the mound and at the plate. After seeing Harrison pitch at spring training in 1973, Phillies ace Steve Carlton told the Philadelphia Daily News, “Just a super, fantastic arm. He could win 20 with that arm just throwing strikes with his fastball.” Harrison had some special … [Read more...] about Hit or miss: Roric Harrison and the Cardinals