One year after they traded Steve Carlton because he wanted a $65,000 salary, the Cardinals offered a college pitcher a six-figure contract. Michigan State’s Brad Van Pelt, a right-hander with a 100 mph fastball, was the prospect who prompted the Cardinals to consider coughing up the cash. He also was a football talent, a recipient of the Maxwell Award presented to the most … [Read more...] about Dutch master: Cardinals made pitch for Brad Van Pelt
Lou Brock, Bob Gibson give their best in MLK tribute
In a fundraising game to honor the memory of slain civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., two of the top performers on a genuine field of dreams were Cardinals Lou Brock and Bob Gibson. On March 28, 1970, the East-West Major League Baseball Classic was played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. According to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Saturday afternoon … [Read more...] about Lou Brock, Bob Gibson give their best in MLK tribute
Cardinals to Manny Lee: We hardly knew thee
Manny Lee was a one-of-a-kind Cardinal. In the long history of the franchise, Lee is the only Cardinal to play in just one game for them and have a 1.000 batting average. A 10-year veteran of the American League and shortstop for the 1992 World Series champion Blue Jays, Lee made his Cardinals debut as their 1995 Opening Day second baseman _ and never appeared in another … [Read more...] about Cardinals to Manny Lee: We hardly knew thee
Road to closer role for Bill Caudill began with Cardinals
Batters might have thought Bill Caudill spelled his name with a K, for strikeout, because that’s what happened to many when trying to hit his fastball. The correct spelling, though, was C, for closer, because that’s what Caudill became in the American League after beginning his career with the Cardinals. The letter C also fit because this closer was a clubhouse cut-up who … [Read more...] about Road to closer role for Bill Caudill began with Cardinals
George Raft, Leo Durocher: Guys and dolls and baseball
Immediately after the Cardinals beat the Dodgers in the playoff game that decided the 1946 National League pennant, Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey and his assistant, Arthur Mann, hustled into the home team clubhouse at Ebbets Field. Rickey wanted to talk with Dodgers manager Leo Durocher, but the door to Durocher’s office was closed and locked. Rickey and Mann plopped … [Read more...] about George Raft, Leo Durocher: Guys and dolls and baseball