Tony LaRussa, 1997 Cardinals: Many Moves, Meager Results

In a microcosm of their dismal 1997 season, the Cardinals used a record number of pinch-hitters in a game and none produced a hit.

RetroSimba

How Fernando Valenzuela Ended Career With Cardinals

For Fernando Valenzuela, a baseball odyssey that began brilliantly with the Dodgers ended sadly in a short, unsatisfying stint with the Cardinals.

RetroSimba

Losing Became A Habit For Danny Jackson With Cardinals

In a season fraught with futility, the pitcher who epitomized the plight of the 1995 Cardinals was Danny Jackson. Expected to provide wins and hope, Jackson instead represented losses and despair.

RetroSimba

Dmitri Young Launched Cardinals On Productive DH Run

In the first at-bat by a Cardinals designated hitter in a regular-season game, Dmitri Young singled to center field in the second inning against the Brewers’ Ben McDonald on June 16, 1997, at Milwaukee. The Brewers then were an American League franchise.

Retro Simba

Remembering The 1997 Trade Deadline

One of my favorite kinds of trades took place on June 13, 1997: a six-player deal between the Padres and Cardinals, two teams going nowhere, with none of the six players having much of an impact. The Padres acquired Rich Batchelor, Danny Jackson and Mark Sweeney, and the Cardinals received Scott Livingstone, Phil Plantier and Fernando Valenzuela. The Padres hoped for the 23-8, 2.73 ERA Jackson; they settled for the 1-7, 7.53 ERA Jackson. In fact, only Mark Sweeney played in any season beyond 1997. But hey, six-player deal- what's not to like?

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The Athletics traded Mark McGwire to the Cardinals, receiving Eric Ludwick, T.J. Mathews and Blake Stein for the man who went on to hit 220 home runs over his next 2,251 plate appearances.

MLB Trade Rumors

1991 Triple-A All-Star Game Had Star Power

The first Triple-A All-Star Game in Louisville truly was a night of future stars. Nine starters and three reserves went on to play more than 10 years in the major leagues.

Courier Journal

Ex-Cardinal Mark Sweeney Signs 1 Year Deal With Dodgers

Mark Sweeney, second on the all-time pinch-hit list, has finalized his one-year, $600,000 contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to a major-league source.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7790128/Sweeney,-Dodgers-agree-on-one-year-deal?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49


History Note:
Cardinals aqcquired him form the Angels in 1995 for P John Habyan.
Cardinals then traded Sweeney, P Rich Batchelor, & P Danny Jackson to the Padres for P Fernando Valenzuela, OF Phil Plantier, & 3B Scott Livingstone in 1997.