The Sultan of Swat struck out in his bid to become St. Louis Browns manager. After finishing last in the eight-team American League in 1937, the Browns were looking for a manager and Babe Ruth wanted the job. Considering that the Browns drew a total home attendance of 123,121 in 1937, Ruth’s willingness to manage the team in 1938 seemed a special opportunity to infuse … [Read more...] about Why St. Louis Browns said no to Babe Ruth
Why Duke Carmel was a prince of a prospect for Cardinals
There was a time in the late 1950s when the Cardinals thought a left-handed slugger from the streets of New York City might be the successor to Stan Musial. Duke Carmel certainly fit the part. He was named after Duke Snider, had the mannerisms of Ted Williams and could hit with the power of Mickey Mantle. Rangy (6-foot-3) and strong (200 muscular pounds), “Duke Carmel on a … [Read more...] about Why Duke Carmel was a prince of a prospect for Cardinals
Don Durham had a hit-or-miss stint with Cardinals
On a team with little pop, pitcher Don Durham qualified as somewhat of a slugger for the Cardinals. A rookie right-hander with St. Louis in 1972, Durham had as many home runs (two) as wins (two). He batted .500 (seven hits in 14 at-bats) and had a slugging percentage of .929. Durham was part of a Cardinals pitching trio, along with Bob Gibson and Rick Wise, that … [Read more...] about Don Durham had a hit-or-miss stint with Cardinals
For better or worse, Johnny Stuart finished what he started
Johnny Stuart was a rattled rookie when he made his first start in the majors for the Cardinals and failed to get an out. A year later, on the day he made his second start in the big leagues, he also made his third, and the results were much better. One hundred years ago, on July 10, 1923, Stuart started both games of a doubleheader for the Cardinals against the Braves … [Read more...] about For better or worse, Johnny Stuart finished what he started
In control: How Ken Raffensberger confounded Cardinals
Ken Raffensberger began his major-league career with the Cardinals, then spent a big part of it pitching against them. A left-hander who relied on pinpoint control and an assortment of breaking pitches, Raffensberger faced the Cardinals a lot _ 79 times, including 59 starts. He lost (34 times) more than he won (23 times) versus St. Louis, but when he was good he was … [Read more...] about In control: How Ken Raffensberger confounded Cardinals