How Dick Brokelmann Brought Relief To 1951 Cardinals

As a rookie with the 1951 Cardinals, Dick Bokelmann took over the role of closer.

RetroSimba

Why Cardinals Thought Wally Westlake Had Right Stuff

When the Cardinals acquired Wally Westlake from the Pirates, he seemed to be the ideal hitter to put pop into the cleanup spot, but it didn’t work out the way they expected.

RetroSimba

The Strange, Short Cardinals Career Of Memo Luna

In one of their worst deals, the Cardinals paid $75,000 and gave up a trio of players for a pitcher who netted them two outs.

RetroSimba

The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part 2:1950-51)

As we recall from last time, Branch Rickey was hired as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates in November 1950. We summarized the state of the ball club he inherited, both at the level of the big league roster and in the minor leagues.

The Hardball Times

The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part One)

In the autumn of 1950, Branch Rickey, the general manager and minority owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, was nearing 70 years old. Decades earlier "The Mahatma" had essentially invented the now-taken-for-granted job of GM, and his performance in the role had been long and hugely successful.

The Hardball Times