Prevented by racism from playing in the minors in 1955, Roman Mejias opened the season in the majors as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting right fielder ahead of another rookie, Roberto Clemente. That season, Mejias (of Cuba), Clemente (Puerto Rico) and Felipe Montemayor (Mexico) formed the first all-Latino starting outfield in the big leagues. Though Mejias didn’t … [Read more...] about Roman Mejias: Latino pioneer and crusher of Cardinals
Why folks in Milwaukee became Mets fans for a night
About the same time that fans of Milwaukee baseball learned the Braves planned to abandon them, the club’s most prominent pitcher, Warren Spahn, got cast aside, too. So, when Spahn returned to Milwaukee for the first time as a member of the Mets, the fans there came out to cheer for him and against the Braves. The drama didn’t end there. Spahn was matched that night against … [Read more...] about Why folks in Milwaukee became Mets fans for a night
Lovestruck: Jamie Quirk, Cardinals seemed perfect match
Manager Whitey Herzog had a major influence on Jamie Quirk. Even on his honeymoon, Quirk had Herzog on his mind. Forty years ago, in February 1983, Quirk reported to spring training with the Cardinals after eight seasons in the American League, mostly with the Royals. The Cardinals signed the free agent to be a backup to catcher Darrell Porter, a former … [Read more...] about Lovestruck: Jamie Quirk, Cardinals seemed perfect match
Head-on collision: Tim McCarver vs. John Roseboro
John Roseboro of the Dodgers and Tim McCarver of the Cardinals were opposing catchers with similar styles. Both were former football players who viewed baseball as a contact sport. As a standout high school athlete in Memphis, McCarver had football scholarship offers from the likes of Alabama and Notre Dame. Roseboro played football at Central State, a historically black … [Read more...] about Head-on collision: Tim McCarver vs. John Roseboro
Cardinals removed the welcome mat for Don Coryell
After Don Coryell left the NFL Cardinals, he appeared in St. Louis one time as an opposing head coach. It was an experience he could have done without. On Nov. 20, 1983, Coryell brought the San Diego Chargers to Busch Stadium to play the Cardinals. This was no tender homecoming. Too much weird mojo, and too many factors Coryell couldn’t control, not the least of which was an … [Read more...] about Cardinals removed the welcome mat for Don Coryell