The 1982 Cardinals had no player hit 20 home runs. One of their best relievers was 43 and had been in the majors since the 1950s. Only one of their pitchers struck out as many as 90 batters. Yet, the 1982 Cardinals may be the franchise’s greatest team since baseball went to a divisional alignment. Since 1969, the only Cardinals club to finish a regular season with the best … [Read more...] about An interview with author of book on 1982 Cardinals
Cardinals got early look at tower of power Frank Howard
The first time Frank Howard came to the plate against the Cardinals he did what came naturally to him. He hit a home run. Not just any home run. A tape-measure clout, befitting a giant who stood 6-foot-7 and weighed more than 250 pounds. As Jim Murray of the Los Angeles Times noted, “He’s Gulliver in a baseball suit.” A right-handed batter capable of launching balls into … [Read more...] about Cardinals got early look at tower of power Frank Howard
How Cardinals made a pitch to acquire Jerry Koosman
After trading Steve Carlton and Jerry Reuss, the Cardinals went two seasons without a prominent left-hander in their starting rotation. General manager Bing Devine sought to help fill the void by trying to acquire Jerry Koosman. Fifty years ago, after the 1973 season, Devine offered first baseman Joe Torre to the Mets for Koosman. A Brooklyn native who won a … [Read more...] about How Cardinals made a pitch to acquire Jerry Koosman
How Spud Davis mashed National League pitching
For a time, the battery of pitcher Dizzy Dean and catcher Spud Davis formed a dynamic duo for the Cardinals. Dizzy and Spud. Comic strip names. Gashouse Gang characters. Ninety years ago, on Nov. 15, 1933, the Cardinals got Davis and infielder Eddie Delker from the Phillies for catcher Jimmie Wilson. The trade was a reverse of one made five years earlier when the … [Read more...] about How Spud Davis mashed National League pitching
Both sides now: How Bob Knight took me for a walk
An encounter with Bob Knight at an NCAA Tournament showed me a side of him I hadn’t expected. Knight’s death at 83 on Nov. 1, 2023, prompted me to reflect on my experiences with him. We didn’t know one another, but as a sports reporter in Indiana in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I got to see him up close when I covered basketball games he coached for Indiana University and … [Read more...] about Both sides now: How Bob Knight took me for a walk