Retro Simba

In his return to the Cardinals, Tim McCarver was hoping to be their first baseman, even though he’d never played the position in the big leagues. Fifty years ago, on Nov. 6, 1972, the Cardinals traded outfielder Jorge Roque to the Expos for McCarver. As the Cardinals’ catcher during their glory days in the 1960s, McCarver played on two World Series championship … [Read more...] about Homecoming: Same place, new role for Tim McCarver

The first home run hit by Leon Durham for the Cubs came against the relief ace the Cardinals acquired for him. On April 29, 1981, Durham slugged a two-run home run versus Bruce Sutter to tie the score at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Four months earlier, the Cardinals had traded Durham, Ken Reitz and Ty Waller to the Cubs to get Sutter as their closer. He did the job, … [Read more...] about How Bruce Sutter got rude welcome back to Wrigley

Stan Musial played in 3,026 regular-season games for the Cardinals. Only once did he strike out three times in a game. The pitcher who did it: Dick Ellsworth. A left-hander who pitched in 13 seasons with the Cubs, Phillies, Red Sox, Indians and Brewers, Ellsworth had a career record of 115-137. He twice lost 20 in a season with the Cubs (9-20 in 1962 and 8-22 in … [Read more...] about Why Dick Ellsworth is one of a kind in Cardinals lore

Rogers Hornsby slammed the door on the Cardinals but it didn’t shut. Ninety years ago, on Oct. 25, 1932, the Cardinals signed Hornsby for a second stint with them. The reunion seemed unimaginable six years earlier when Hornsby and Cardinals owner Sam Breadon quarreled during contract talks. Reaching a boiling point, Hornsby stormed out of Breadon’s office, slamming the … [Read more...] about Why Rogers Hornsby was welcomed back to Cardinals

Looking to cap a comeback from an injury that nearly shattered his season, pitcher Tommy Boggs was expecting to start Game 2 of the National League Championship Series for the Braves against the Cardinals. Instead, his hopes for a storybook ending got washed away on a stormy St. Louis night. After suffering a partial tear of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder early … [Read more...] about Tommy Boggs lost chance for playoff start vs. Cardinals