Jackie Brandt was an outfielder who earned a National League Gold Glove Award and was named to the American League all-star team, but people wanted more from him. He was supposed to be the next Mickey Mantle, but he wasn’t. He was supposed to be a sure bet to receive the National League Rookie of the Year Award with the Cardinals, but he didn’t. He … [Read more...] about How potential became a burden for Jackie Brandt
How Cardinals got into a no-win situation
Not even a dugout full of four-leaf clovers would have been enough to help Patsy Donovan turn the 1903 Cardinals into winners. What Donovan needed more than the luck of the Irish was a dugout full of run producers and premium pitchers. As player-manager of the 1903 Cardinals, Donovan (pictured here) did all he could. He was a crafty hitter and a smart manager _ … [Read more...] about How Cardinals got into a no-win situation
Cardinals were bridge between roles for Tom Murphy
As Tom Murphy felt his pitching career sliding downhill, the Cardinals pulled him back into the big leagues. Fifty years ago, on May 8, 1973, the Cardinals rescued Murphy from the Royals’ farm system, acquiring him for pitcher Al Santorini. A right-hander who had been in the Angels’ starting rotation for four years, Murphy used his season in St. Louis to show he … [Read more...] about Cardinals were bridge between roles for Tom Murphy
Doggone it: Pitcher Russ Van Atta was pet’s best friend
Russ Van Atta, a left-handed pitcher fresh off a promising start in the majors, earned a noble, but costly, save. Ninety years ago, after an impressive rookie season with the 1933 Yankees, Van Atta injured his pitching hand when he rescued his dog from a house fire. No longer able to control a curveball, his performance waned and he got sent from the Yankees … [Read more...] about Doggone it: Pitcher Russ Van Atta was pet’s best friend
Hobie Landrith measured up with ample skills
Hobie Landrith was an undersized catcher with big desire. At 5-foot-8, according to the Associated Press and his Topps baseball card, Landrith stood “about as tall as the bat boy,” the Baltimore Sun noted, but he played in the majors for 14 seasons, including two with the Cardinals. A left-handed batter, he had many good games at St. Louis, both for and against the … [Read more...] about Hobie Landrith measured up with ample skills