Retro Simba

Yogi Berra wasn’t kidding when he said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Berra’s playing days certainly appeared to be over in October 1963 when he became manager of the Yankees. “I’ll have enough trouble managing,” he said to the Associated Press in explaining why he was done playing. More than a year later, though, the St. Louisan was behind the plate, catching for the 1965 … [Read more...] about How Yogi Berra performed an encore against Cardinals

In a race to determine the slowest runner in the National League, the loser was the commissioner of baseball, and he didn’t even run. A pair of catchers, Del Rice of the Cardinals and Rube Walker of the Dodgers, were the contestants in what Bob Broeg of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch described as “a snail versus tortoise match race.” When some of the Cardinals made small, friendly … [Read more...] about Diamond dash: Slow and steady wins the race? You bet!

Trying to inspire a ballclub that had become accustomed to losing, Roger Bresnahan was willing to do whatever it took for the Cardinals to win, even if it meant playing second base. Bresnahan, the Cardinals’ player-manager in 1911, would become the second catcher (after Buck Ewing) elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Yet, when the Cardinals were in a pinch at second … [Read more...] about How Roger Bresnahan instilled Cardinals with tenacity

Carl Warwick seemed an unlikely candidate to shine for the Cardinals in the 1964 World Series. A week before the season ended, Warwick suffered a fractured cheekbone when he was struck by a line drive during pregame drills. He underwent surgery the next day. After the Cardinals clinched the National League pennant in the season finale, manager Johnny Keane opted to put Warwick … [Read more...] about Carl Warwick came through in a pinch for Cardinals

Looking for a good time in St. Louis when their team came to play the Cardinals, Reds fans rolled out the barrels and got busted. One hundred years ago, in April 1925, Reds owner Garry Herrmann and seven others associated with the Reds Rooters fan club were arrested at the Hotel Statler for possessing real beer. Home to breweries such as Anheuser-Busch and Falstaff, St. Louis … [Read more...] about Trouble brewing for Reds owner, fans in trip to St. Louis