Retro Simba

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

For a club with Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton, the Cardinals hired a coach who caught Bob Feller and aided the development of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Sixty years ago, in October 1964, Joe Becker joined the Cardinals as pitching coach on the staff of newly appointed manager Red Schoendienst. Becker, a St. Louisan, came to the Cardinals from the Dodgers after … [Read more...] about Pitching guru: Joe Becker brought out best in the best

Though the minor leagues were where Gaylen Pitts spent most of his long and accomplished baseball career, he twice reached the majors _ and both times with the help of Dal Maxvill. Pitts was a player, manager, coach and instructor in the minors, primarily with the Cardinals. An infielder, he played 13 years in the farm systems of the Cardinals, Athletics and Cubs. He managed … [Read more...] about Gaylen Pitts was mentor to bevy of Cardinals prospects