Retro Simba

As a high school all-star, Don Ferrarese impressed Babe Ruth, who, like the California teen, knew what it was like to be a left-handed pitcher with stuff. Later, when Ferrarese was in the majors, he hit like Ruth, too, at least for one game _ cracking three consecutive doubles. In his first big-league start, Ferrarese struck out 13. In his first win, he held the Yankees … [Read more...] about The big-name baseball adventures of Don Ferrarese

Gabby Street knew well the highs and lows of managing professional baseball clubs in St. Louis. In 1931, Street piloted the St. Louis Cardinals to their second consecutive National League pennant and a World Series title. Seven years later, as manager of the 1938 St. Louis Browns, his American League team had a 53-90 record before he was fired with 10 games left in the … [Read more...] about Unbearable: The saga of baseball’s St. Louis Pandas

Seeking a right fielder to complete a lineup counted on to contend for a championship, the Cardinals made a bold move and acquired a good one. Ten years ago, on Nov. 17, 2014, the Cardinals obtained outfielder Jason Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden from the Braves for pitchers Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins. The Cardinals needed a right fielder to replace Oscar Taveras, … [Read more...] about Why the Cardinals took a chance on Jason Heyward

The Milwaukee Braves looked at Joey Jay and saw a problem pitcher. Fred Hutchinson looked at him and saw an ace. A right-hander, Jay became the first former Little League player to reach the majors when he joined the Braves out of high school at 17 in 1953. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Jay looked like a man but acted like a boy. He was immature, got labeled a spoiled kid … [Read more...] about How Fred Hutchinson saved the day for Joey Jay

Rudy May pitched 16 years in the majors. He never appeared in an All-Star Game, and he lost more than he won, but at times he nearly was unhittable, performing on a par with teammates such as Nolan Ryan, Catfish Hunter and Jim Palmer. One of May’s nicknames was The Dude. He got it, the Baltimore Sun noted, because of “his funky wardrobe” and “unflappable optimism.” He … [Read more...] about Why Cardinals had Rudy May on their shopping list