How Jim Frey Made A Bid To Be Cardinals Outfielder

Jim Frey was the Texas League batting champion when the Cardinals acquired him and gave him a chance to compete for a spot on their Opening Day roster. Frey didn’t get to the majors as a player, but he did as a manager.

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How Irv Noren Lifted Pennant Hopes Of Cardinals

With one swing of his exceptionally hot bat, Irv Noren struck back at the team that cast him aside and kept the Cardinals in the thick of the 1957 National League pennant race.

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Why Cardinals Traded Wally Moon To Dodgers

Wally Moon shined for the Cardinals for four years, but wore out his welcome in a single season when he slumped at the plate and displayed what some perceived as an indifferent attitude toward his outfield play.

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Why Cardinals Considered Phil Clark Potential Relief Ace

The Cardinals projected rookie Phil Clark to be their top reliever in 1958, but the role eventually went to the opposing pitcher who earned a win in Clark’s major-league debut.

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Cardinals Took A Chance On Chuck Stobbs

Chuck Stobbs was a left-hander who made his major-league debut at age 18, pitched for three American League franchises, yielded an epic home run to Mickey Mantle, experienced a streak of 16 consecutive losses and was given a chance to extend his career with the Cardinals.

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Ed Roebuck Nearly Was Unbeatable Vs. Cardinals

While pitching to a Cardinals batter, Sandy Koufax was replaced by Ed Roebuck, who got the Dodgers out of a jam and went on to earn a win in an eight-inning relief effort.

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Why Cardinals Made Big Investment In Ray Sadecki

At 17, Ray Sadecki already threw with as much velocity as anyone on the Cardinals’ major-league pitching staff.

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Moe Drabowsky, Stan Musial: Special Connection

Sons of Polish fathers, Stan Musial and Moe Drabowsky reached the major leagues, played central roles in a baseball milestone and honored their heritages by helping others learn the game they loved.

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Why Cardinals Gave Up On Hometown Prospect Dick Sisler

Dick Sisler, a standout as a St. Louis prep school athlete and son of a Hall of Fame baseball player, came to the Cardinals amid high expectations. He earned starts in two Opening Day lineups for the Cardinals but departed before he developed into a major-league all-star.

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Why Solly Hemus Was Controversial Cardinals Manager

A month into his first season as Cardinals manager, Solly Hemus behaved in a way that damaged his reputation and diminished his stature among some players.

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Dodgers Dealt Aces In Cardinals' Farewell To Brooklyn

In the last game the Cardinals played in Brooklyn, they faced a pair of 21-year-old emerging aces: Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax.

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Polo Grounds Was A Haven For Stan Musial

In the last game the Cardinals played against the Giants at the Polo Grounds in New York, Stan Musial delivered a performance worthy of Broadway.

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How World Series Hero Bob Kuzava Landed With Cardinals

Seeking a left-handed reliever to help their pennant push, the Cardinals got Bob Kuzava, a proven producer under postseason pressure. The price, though, was steep: To open a roster spot for Kuzava, the Cardinals cut loose a future Hall of Fame pitcher.

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Ruben Amaro Began Big-League Career With Cardinals

Desperate for a quality shortstop, the Cardinals turned to Ruben Amaro and gave him his first opportunity to play in the major leagues. Amaro fielded splendidly but didn’t hit well enough and the Cardinals quickly gave up on him.

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How Hoyt Wilhelm Got Traded To Cardinals

When Hoyt Wilhelm joined the Cardinals, he was an accomplished relief pitcher who was headed on a path toward election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His stint with the Cardinals, however, turned out to be a detour rather than an avenue toward success.

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The Day Warren Spahn Shocked Stan Musial

Given a choice of facing Del Ennis or Stan Musial with runners in scoring position and the game on the line, Warren Spahn did what no other big-league pitcher had done before him: He opted to pitch to Musial.

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Von McDaniel & His Sizzling Start With Cardinals

When Von McDaniel joined his brother, Lindy, on the 1957 Cardinals staff and began shutting down opponents, comparisons were made to another sibling pitching duo in St. Louis lore, Dizzy and Paul Dean.

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How Bobby Gene Smith Became Cardinals Starter In Center

Twice, Bobby Gene Smith opened seasons as the starting center fielder for the Cardinals. Both times, he was unable to hit consistently and was replaced by a future member of the Cardinals Hall of Fame.

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Ken Boyer Biography Is A Winner

Ken Boyer, the all-time best Cardinals third baseman, is deserving of a book that accurately and completely tells his story. Fortunately, “Ken Boyer: All-Star, MVP, Captain” by author Kevin D. McCann delivers.

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Why Cubs Traded Hank Sauer To Cardinals

Late in his career, Hank Sauer transformed from a popular Cubs slugger into a Cardinals reserve who roomed on the road with Stan Musial, overcame a terrifying injury and turned into a productive singles hitter.

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