In Memory Of Former Cardinals: 2017

2016 was a relatively quiet year in that only seven former St. Louis Cardinals passed away, the lowest total since I first began preparing these annual reports in 2005. Unfortunately, in 2017, the count increased to nine, including former manager Solly Hemus.

The Cardinal Nation

Notable Deaths In The St. Louis Sports World During 2017

There were several notable deaths in the St. Louis sports community in 2017. Here is a look back at the people we lost this year: (listed in alphabetical order)

STL Sports Page

Tracy Stallard Passed Away

MLBPAA Twitter

How Stan Musial Went To Bat For Warren Spahn

In a union of legendary rivals who represented baseball at its best, Stan Musial hired Warren Spahn to be a manager in the Cardinals organization.

RetroSimba

Why Cardinals No Longer Had Room For Curt Simmons

Two years after they joined Bob Gibson in forming the foundation of the World Series champion Cardinals’ starting rotation, left-handers Curt Simmons and Ray Sadecki were St. Louis outcasts.

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Jim Davenport Delivered Against Cardinals Aces

Though known more for his skills with a glove than with a bat, Jim Davenport of the Giants delivered two standout hitting performances against a pair of Cardinals aces, future Hall of Famers Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton.

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Art Mahaffey & His Short, Shaky Stint With Cardinals

When the Cardinals traded half of their all-star infield to the Phillies, the all-star they got in return no longer had the skills to be a consistent starter.

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Ernie Banks & His Greatest Hits Against Cardinals

Whether facing a journeyman such as Barney Schultz or a fellow Hall of Famer like Steve Carlton, Cubs icon Ernie Banks produced some of his most spectacular performances against Cardinals pitching.

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Trade To Cardinals Revived Career Of Tracy Stallard

Tracy Stallard had a reputation for being a victim. The Cardinals gave him a chance to be a victor. The right-handed pitcher took advantage of the opportunity.

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What You Should Know About Frank Robinson, Cardinals

My favorite story from spring training 2014 has been Orioles manager Buck Showalter assigning a Baltimore prospect to write a report on the career of Frank Robinson after the minor-league player admitted he was clueless about the Hall of Fame slugger who became baseball’s first black manager.

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Warren Spahn & His Cardinal Connection

Hall of Fame left-hander Warren Spahn never pitched for the Cardinals, but his final games as a professional pitcher were as a member of the St. Louis organization.

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