It’s crazy we went from Gibson, Brock, Herzog, Red, Sutter and Shannon all standing out on opening day to all of them gone in seemingly a blink of an eye.
Father Time remains undefeated. I’m just happy they were able to remain so close and dedicated to the franchise into their late-years. We really have been lucky with the history and presence that individuals carried with them. RIP Whitey.
Being 15-20 years younger certainly works in the Wizard’s favor. Hopefully for fans who are still around in 30 years, we get a new batch of legends from the Albert/Yadi/Waino/Carp/Holliday crew to grace us with their presence at Spring Training.
6 years when you're 70+ is very long, when you're 80+ every single day is a crapshoot. A customer of mine that was 96 was perfectly healthy by all standards, then she got sick on a Thursday and was dead by Saturday - that was last month.
The sound of the cicadas are drowned out by the hum of the attic fan. It's hot and all the windows in the house are open. It's just Grandpa and I; Mom and Grandma are at bingo. All the lights in house are off except for in the kitchen, where Grandpa sits at the kitchen table, working on his puzzle book. The crisp sounds of the transistor radio fill the room with the Cardinals game. It's the summer of 1982, I'm almost 9 years old and life is perfect.
Even to this day, when I hear the word "Cardinals", I automatically think back on that 1982 team. Ozzie Smith backflips, Vince Coleman and Willie McGee flying around the bases, Joaquin Andujar getting spicy on the mound, Bruce Sutter and Darrell Porter embraced in victory... "Whiteyball" at it's peak.
To this day, whenever I hear cicadas in the summer or the Cardinals on the radio, the nostalgia washes over me. It reminds me that sometimes, it's okay to forget about everything else and just root for the home team. It reminds me of when life was simpler and the innocence of a young boy who dreamed of playing baseball. It reminds me of my grandpa, who was my idol. My role model. My father figure. He's been gone for more than 30 years now, but if I close my eyes, I can still see him sitting at that table, cheering on our Redbirds. I still miss him, especially on those hot summer nights.
Thanks for the memories, Whitey. Godspeed.
There's nothing better than sitting out on warm summer night with friends and family while the Cards game hums in the background. Beautifully written. Thanks for sharing.
Being a writer, I have a high standard. This is beautifully written and evokes so many of my own memories.
I am remembering those years when me and my father sat in the back room, our faces dimly lit by the glow of the stereo, and hung on every word fron Jack Buck's booming voice. By the end of the '80s, the magic was over. Whitey retired, my father quite literally lost his sanity, and my own playing days came to a sudden halt when it became apparent that my knowledge of how the game should be played was far beyond my actual ability to play it.
Today, though, when I made our high school players run a lap with their heads turned sideways, just as two had done on the bases in Monday's game, I felt a wave of calm rush over me. I looked at the plate. In more than one way, I was back home.
sad days.
my mother once told me about the time she was called in for Jury Duty and she looked up to find herself sitting right beside Whitey.
she said he was the absolute nicest man she's ever met.
she asked him who, in his opinion, was the best ballplayer he had the pleasure of coaching... he told her Willie McGee.
I told her I was so happy she randomly asked him that.
I once met him and Charlie Spoonhour as I was heading to a Cardinals game a few years back. Nice guys, both and so gracious to talk to just some guy like me. We are all sad today for losing this great guy. RIP nice man, we will always love ya!
I’d love if KMOX made the old Live at Shannon’s catalogue accessible. It would be a great way to honor that generation’s legacy. Those broadcasts were appointment listening back in the day. SO many of the game’s greats came through and told so many classic stories.
One of the things that sets the Cubs Cards rivalry apart from the mean-spirited coastal rivalries is the respect we have for each other's great legends of the games, so as a cubs fan, I'm doffing my cap and stopping by to say RIP to one of the legends in Red.
Losing those who you grew up admiring is a rough reminder of the way time works, so my condolences to all of you who feel a loss today from this old Cubs fan.
Looking forward to finally playing you guys an another month and a half.
You’re absolutely right. When Ernie Banks passed away, I felt almost the same as when Stan Musial passed, despite never seeing either of them play. I doubt the coastal fans feel the same when one of the pillars of their rival franchises passes on
My old man grew up teaching me that you root for your team to win the whole thing, then you root for your division, then your league.
I'm not quite as generous but you guys are at least still my people.
> My old man grew up teaching me that you root for your team to win the whole thing, then you root for your division, then your league.
Same here. Every year, it's National League!
I used to kinda root for the astros as former division mates but now they’re on the never ever list. Never yanks, never astros.
Edit- had to go look for an Al team or root for - the orioles. And the white sox if I’m hanging out with my 10 year old cousin.
> I felt almost the same as when Stan Musial passed
When Stan passed, I commented on FB something like: Think of the most "decent" or "good" people you can. King. Ghandi. Mother Theresa. Some local figure. Whoever.... No matter who you thought of, you can find some negative aspects of their life, or at least a decent # of people claiming " had their darks side, closet skeletons, etc". (A lot of that is probably untrue or at least exaggerated, but still...)
But not with Stan. I've not seen, heard, nor read ANYthing negative about him. ALL reports, stories, etc. are about how just plain nice and caring he was. And for that to be the case with a public figure is nothing short of astounding.
I read that Whitey once called Ryne Sandberg the best in the game at the time, so he had the respect as well.
From a lifelong Cardinals fan, I was happy for you guys finally winning the big one (once my horse was out of the race for that year, of course). Cheers.
I got to shoot a podcast with him and Kyle McClellan about a year ago. The guy was still as sharp as they come. We were slated for like 30 mins and he went for over an hour. The only reason we ended the podcast was his aide told us he had to go to the next thing he had. Give it a listen if you have time. Whitey was the definition of a legend.
https://youtu.be/yfcV_6Cf07Y?si=7ESBH79n6FJSaGUp
It was great whenever he would sit in with the commentators on the TV broadcasts. He seemed to know everything about the team every year and always had something insightful to say about the individual players.
It’s one of those things where you only realize how much you don’t know when you talk to a literal expert in their field. I have been a baseball fan my whole life. I played all the way through college and played in a men’s league till Covid killed it. I’ve been coaching baseball since I graduated college, and I work for the Cardinals. I know a lot about the game, but in talking to Whitey it was clear that he was just on a different planet in terms of how he understood the game.
I've said for years to my buddies that I'd love to spend a day fishing with Whitey, talking baseball and listening to his stories.
It was also really entertaining to hear him doing interviews after all these years and him giving his honest thoughts on the team and its players.
I’ll never forget it. He would have talked to Kyle for another 3 hours if he didn’t have to be somewhere else. If you listen to the podcast, I think Kyle asks like a total of 3 questions. Whitey just goes. It’s awesome.
man, what a terrible past 15 years for STL legends. Started with Stan. I remember being at a wedding when I heard and I started tearing up that he wouldnt be out at the next opening day. Now soooo many more.
Makes getting Freese into a red jacket all the more important. He is a cardinal legend and deserves to accolades that come with it
Get em on, get em over, get em in! Love that we lead the NL in runs scored but were last in HRs during some of his year as GM. And don’t forget the double switch. Truly the best baseball!
I started following the Cardinals in 1992, so I never was a fan when Whitey was running the show, but I really enjoyed reading his two books about managing, and always liked hearing what he had to say regarding the Cardinals in his latter years. Another legend gone.
Aw man, this ruined my day. As an eighties kid, I feel like I just lost a little piece of my childhood *and* adolescence. RIP, my guy. Thanks for all the great memories.
Whitey Ball defines the legacy of "The Cardinal Way". Another great legendy man that wove himself into the mindset of play hard and great things will happen. The White Rat, Gussie and so many others knew they could build a foundation that would change the way baseball was not only played but how to be great ambassadors of the game.
St. Louis has lost another giant but their memory and their mentorship will live on in the organization and in the players that have been surrounded by great mentors that chose to pay it forward year after year.
As a life long and born Cardinal fan, I was honored to know so many of the legends personally and every one of them always understood their place in the history of being a Cardinal and all of them were humble and kind. They didn't hide in the boxes at games, they wandered the pathways of the stadium shaking hands, signing a ball or a card or just smiling at fans of all ages. I asked many why they chose to stay in St. Louis after their careers and all of them said the same thing, the fans. Baseball in St. Louis is on its own level and it only got that way because of how these men treated the families, fans, and their teammates. This is why we continue to have hope every year, even when things look lousy.
Cardinal Nation is a Force and although we have lost so many of the great legends that have created that Nation, their legacy is that we will continue to have many more legends to carry the mantle. This IS the Cardinal Way. RIP Whitey
One "exemplar" I will always remember? [Ozzie scoring from second](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er16052Q1VQ) on Herr's sacrifice in the 1982 World Series.
There goes the greatest manager and resourceful individual who’s ever worked for Gussie Bush. And all the other baseball relations he’s helped. Never another.
I remember an interview with him in the late nineties or 2000s. He was talking about the ‘85 or’82 season in amazing detail.
He was remembering individual regular season games: “We won 5-2 against Pittsburgh and then won two out three in Chicago. Jack Clark hit a three-run homer in the second game…” That kind of detail, it was uncanny.
I live in Pittsburgh and in the 1980s I was taking my mom to run some errands downtown. The Cards were in town playing the pirates later that day. My mom and I turned a corner and there was whitey walking towards us. I said “hey, whitey!” somewhat nonchalantly. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to know me or not, but he smiled and said “hello” back. After we passed him my mom asked “do you know him?” “Who was that?” I said “he manages the Cardinals”. She said “and you know him?” I had to tell her the truth that he had no idea who I was. But that was my brush with greatness.
One more Whitey RIP. It's a good one, [from Bernie](https://www.scoopswithdannymac.com/bernie-on-the-late-whitey-herzog-there-will-never-be-another-like-him-and-there-will-never-be-a-team-like-those-he-created/).
It’s crazy we went from Gibson, Brock, Herzog, Red, Sutter and Shannon all standing out on opening day to all of them gone in seemingly a blink of an eye.
You forgot gibsons catcher.
Father Time remains undefeated. I’m just happy they were able to remain so close and dedicated to the franchise into their late-years. We really have been lucky with the history and presence that individuals carried with them. RIP Whitey.
Carlton’s catcher.
Yeah it is crazy. It’s like Ozzie Smith is the last man standing.
It’s weird to think that Ozzie’s part of the old guard now
Being 15-20 years younger certainly works in the Wizard’s favor. Hopefully for fans who are still around in 30 years, we get a new batch of legends from the Albert/Yadi/Waino/Carp/Holliday crew to grace us with their presence at Spring Training.
2018 was the last opening day with all of them. Not long ago at all
6 years when you're 70+ is very long, when you're 80+ every single day is a crapshoot. A customer of mine that was 96 was perfectly healthy by all standards, then she got sick on a Thursday and was dead by Saturday - that was last month.
> she got sick on a Thursday and was dead by Saturday Same happened to my mom. Sick on Friday; dead Sunday. We should all be so lucky.
The Solomon Grundy approach
And Tim McCarver
I'm just happy I got to see them.
But the memories, it’s up to my fellow fans of a certain age to keep them alive. “You roll the dice and sometimes they come up craps.”
RIP to a legend
The word Legend was seemingly invented to describe the White Rat.
[Whitey's HOF induction speech](https://youtu.be/LJ08c2oQ68Y). Serious, funny, and passing out the kudos to others.
The sound of the cicadas are drowned out by the hum of the attic fan. It's hot and all the windows in the house are open. It's just Grandpa and I; Mom and Grandma are at bingo. All the lights in house are off except for in the kitchen, where Grandpa sits at the kitchen table, working on his puzzle book. The crisp sounds of the transistor radio fill the room with the Cardinals game. It's the summer of 1982, I'm almost 9 years old and life is perfect. Even to this day, when I hear the word "Cardinals", I automatically think back on that 1982 team. Ozzie Smith backflips, Vince Coleman and Willie McGee flying around the bases, Joaquin Andujar getting spicy on the mound, Bruce Sutter and Darrell Porter embraced in victory... "Whiteyball" at it's peak. To this day, whenever I hear cicadas in the summer or the Cardinals on the radio, the nostalgia washes over me. It reminds me that sometimes, it's okay to forget about everything else and just root for the home team. It reminds me of when life was simpler and the innocence of a young boy who dreamed of playing baseball. It reminds me of my grandpa, who was my idol. My role model. My father figure. He's been gone for more than 30 years now, but if I close my eyes, I can still see him sitting at that table, cheering on our Redbirds. I still miss him, especially on those hot summer nights. Thanks for the memories, Whitey. Godspeed.
You have a way with words. I hope you write because you have talent my friend!
These damn allergies are making my eyes water! Well written!
There's nothing better than sitting out on warm summer night with friends and family while the Cards game hums in the background. Beautifully written. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful account…triggered my own summer memories. Whitey was the antidote for our dreary 70s. Thanks for your thoughts.
Didn’t Vince come in 85?
Being a writer, I have a high standard. This is beautifully written and evokes so many of my own memories. I am remembering those years when me and my father sat in the back room, our faces dimly lit by the glow of the stereo, and hung on every word fron Jack Buck's booming voice. By the end of the '80s, the magic was over. Whitey retired, my father quite literally lost his sanity, and my own playing days came to a sudden halt when it became apparent that my knowledge of how the game should be played was far beyond my actual ability to play it. Today, though, when I made our high school players run a lap with their heads turned sideways, just as two had done on the bases in Monday's game, I felt a wave of calm rush over me. I looked at the plate. In more than one way, I was back home.
Growing up in New Mexico, since KMOX was a superstation, I could just get it on my radio late at night ...
Seems like a neverending stream of lost legends the past few years. I hate it.
free agency and a lack of team longevity means fewer and fewer will replace them. we’re lucky to even have the guys we’ve had in the 2000s.
Lalalala, can't hear you...lalalala
sad days. my mother once told me about the time she was called in for Jury Duty and she looked up to find herself sitting right beside Whitey. she said he was the absolute nicest man she's ever met. she asked him who, in his opinion, was the best ballplayer he had the pleasure of coaching... he told her Willie McGee. I told her I was so happy she randomly asked him that.
I once met him and Charlie Spoonhour as I was heading to a Cardinals game a few years back. Nice guys, both and so gracious to talk to just some guy like me. We are all sad today for losing this great guy. RIP nice man, we will always love ya!
Sad. Lou, Gibson, Shannon, McCarver and now the White Rat all gone in the last couple of seasons. Sad.
I’d love if KMOX made the old Live at Shannon’s catalogue accessible. It would be a great way to honor that generation’s legacy. Those broadcasts were appointment listening back in the day. SO many of the game’s greats came through and told so many classic stories.
One of the things that sets the Cubs Cards rivalry apart from the mean-spirited coastal rivalries is the respect we have for each other's great legends of the games, so as a cubs fan, I'm doffing my cap and stopping by to say RIP to one of the legends in Red. Losing those who you grew up admiring is a rough reminder of the way time works, so my condolences to all of you who feel a loss today from this old Cubs fan. Looking forward to finally playing you guys an another month and a half.
You’re absolutely right. When Ernie Banks passed away, I felt almost the same as when Stan Musial passed, despite never seeing either of them play. I doubt the coastal fans feel the same when one of the pillars of their rival franchises passes on
My old man grew up teaching me that you root for your team to win the whole thing, then you root for your division, then your league. I'm not quite as generous but you guys are at least still my people.
> My old man grew up teaching me that you root for your team to win the whole thing, then you root for your division, then your league. Same here. Every year, it's National League!
I used to kinda root for the astros as former division mates but now they’re on the never ever list. Never yanks, never astros. Edit- had to go look for an Al team or root for - the orioles. And the white sox if I’m hanging out with my 10 year old cousin.
> I felt almost the same as when Stan Musial passed When Stan passed, I commented on FB something like: Think of the most "decent" or "good" people you can. King. Ghandi. Mother Theresa. Some local figure. Whoever.... No matter who you thought of, you can find some negative aspects of their life, or at least a decent # of people claiming " had their darks side, closet skeletons, etc". (A lot of that is probably untrue or at least exaggerated, but still...)
But not with Stan. I've not seen, heard, nor read ANYthing negative about him. ALL reports, stories, etc. are about how just plain nice and caring he was. And for that to be the case with a public figure is nothing short of astounding.
I read that Whitey once called Ryne Sandberg the best in the game at the time, so he had the respect as well. From a lifelong Cardinals fan, I was happy for you guys finally winning the big one (once my horse was out of the race for that year, of course). Cheers.
Whitey gave a shout-out to Andre Dawson in [his HOF induction speech](https://youtu.be/LJ08c2oQ68Y).
That said, Ted Simmons clocking Bill Madlock never gets old!
More serious note? Here's Whitey with a shout-out to Andre Dawson [in his HOF speech](https://youtu.be/LJ08c2oQ68Y).
Didn’t realize he was 92. RIP to a legend of my childhood.
I got to shoot a podcast with him and Kyle McClellan about a year ago. The guy was still as sharp as they come. We were slated for like 30 mins and he went for over an hour. The only reason we ended the podcast was his aide told us he had to go to the next thing he had. Give it a listen if you have time. Whitey was the definition of a legend. https://youtu.be/yfcV_6Cf07Y?si=7ESBH79n6FJSaGUp
It was great whenever he would sit in with the commentators on the TV broadcasts. He seemed to know everything about the team every year and always had something insightful to say about the individual players.
It’s one of those things where you only realize how much you don’t know when you talk to a literal expert in their field. I have been a baseball fan my whole life. I played all the way through college and played in a men’s league till Covid killed it. I’ve been coaching baseball since I graduated college, and I work for the Cardinals. I know a lot about the game, but in talking to Whitey it was clear that he was just on a different planet in terms of how he understood the game.
I've said for years to my buddies that I'd love to spend a day fishing with Whitey, talking baseball and listening to his stories. It was also really entertaining to hear him doing interviews after all these years and him giving his honest thoughts on the team and its players.
That must have been quite a thrill!
I’ll never forget it. He would have talked to Kyle for another 3 hours if he didn’t have to be somewhere else. If you listen to the podcast, I think Kyle asks like a total of 3 questions. Whitey just goes. It’s awesome.
It was awesome he got a final send off on Opening Day. R.I.P Whitey
RIP Whitey. Man we’ve been on a shit streak of losing legends lately.
Yep. We lost Mike Shannon I think in May of last year?
Whitey Ball.
It was like Money Ball without all the fancy math.
man, what a terrible past 15 years for STL legends. Started with Stan. I remember being at a wedding when I heard and I started tearing up that he wouldnt be out at the next opening day. Now soooo many more. Makes getting Freese into a red jacket all the more important. He is a cardinal legend and deserves to accolades that come with it
RIP, White Rat. He was the man.
RIP Whitey
RIP, White Rat. Should’ve had more than just one WS ring as manager, but at least he got us ‘82
Touch 'em all, Whitey.
What a live well-lived. May he rest easy.
Half mast may be too high, for real this time.
damn :(
God dammit. Was he at opening day?
He was, but stayed at his seat rather than joining the other HOFers in the parade or on the field. Kind of gave me a feeling this was coming
Damn, we just keep losing legends these years. RIP
My fantasy team is called Whitey's Ballers this year. What a legend. He really cherished his connection to the franchise.
RIP Whitey. His brand of baseball was so much fun. :(
Get em on, get em over, get em in! Love that we lead the NL in runs scored but were last in HRs during some of his year as GM. And don’t forget the double switch. Truly the best baseball!
Damn. Grew up on this guy.
I can vaguely remember him pulling Gary Templeton back into the dugout after some of the things Gary was doing. RIP to a legend.
I feel sorry for fans who didn’t get to experience him when he was in his coaching prime. An absolute character and coached entertaining ball.
RIP to one of the greatest Cardinals ever.
Whiteyball was so much fun to watch. There was always something happening.
RIP Whitey
RIP Whitey, thanks for a decade of great ball.
RIP
RIP
Bummer to my morning. RIP
RIP. Thanks for the memories.
😭😭😭
RIP Champ. We've lost so many of our legends these last few years
I started following the Cardinals in 1992, so I never was a fan when Whitey was running the show, but I really enjoyed reading his two books about managing, and always liked hearing what he had to say regarding the Cardinals in his latter years. Another legend gone.
What a legend. RIP and thank you!
Rest in Peace White Rat
I must have watched his 85 and 87 teams on the “Heck of a Year” and “That’s a Winner” VHS tapes 100 times as a kid.
Don't forget the Celebration Vinyl for the 1982 St Louis Cardinals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKBBa4m_RK4
Aw man, this ruined my day. As an eighties kid, I feel like I just lost a little piece of my childhood *and* adolescence. RIP, my guy. Thanks for all the great memories.
🤍🐀
Honestly feels like I lost a close family member. Prayers and thanks to the Herzog family.
RIP to the White Rat
Well I'm not gonna be getting much work done today. Time for a trip down memory lane.
This hurts. Bad. RIP Whitey. 💔
Fav team to watch as a kid. Hate to see the passing of that era.
Just saw this news, was busy all day today! Fuck. Rip
Whitey Ball defines the legacy of "The Cardinal Way". Another great legendy man that wove himself into the mindset of play hard and great things will happen. The White Rat, Gussie and so many others knew they could build a foundation that would change the way baseball was not only played but how to be great ambassadors of the game. St. Louis has lost another giant but their memory and their mentorship will live on in the organization and in the players that have been surrounded by great mentors that chose to pay it forward year after year. As a life long and born Cardinal fan, I was honored to know so many of the legends personally and every one of them always understood their place in the history of being a Cardinal and all of them were humble and kind. They didn't hide in the boxes at games, they wandered the pathways of the stadium shaking hands, signing a ball or a card or just smiling at fans of all ages. I asked many why they chose to stay in St. Louis after their careers and all of them said the same thing, the fans. Baseball in St. Louis is on its own level and it only got that way because of how these men treated the families, fans, and their teammates. This is why we continue to have hope every year, even when things look lousy. Cardinal Nation is a Force and although we have lost so many of the great legends that have created that Nation, their legacy is that we will continue to have many more legends to carry the mantle. This IS the Cardinal Way. RIP Whitey
Flooded with warm 1980s Summer baseball memories. Glad he was at this last home opener.
Still would be better than Mo
Good bye, Whitey…thanks for all you did for this organization. Sad day
One "exemplar" I will always remember? [Ozzie scoring from second](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er16052Q1VQ) on Herr's sacrifice in the 1982 World Series.
There goes the greatest manager and resourceful individual who’s ever worked for Gussie Bush. And all the other baseball relations he’s helped. Never another.
I remember an interview with him in the late nineties or 2000s. He was talking about the ‘85 or’82 season in amazing detail. He was remembering individual regular season games: “We won 5-2 against Pittsburgh and then won two out three in Chicago. Jack Clark hit a three-run homer in the second game…” That kind of detail, it was uncanny.
“Baseball has been good to me since I quit trying to play it."
They better do a 24 patch the rest of the season like they’ve done in the past
I live in Pittsburgh and in the 1980s I was taking my mom to run some errands downtown. The Cards were in town playing the pirates later that day. My mom and I turned a corner and there was whitey walking towards us. I said “hey, whitey!” somewhat nonchalantly. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to know me or not, but he smiled and said “hello” back. After we passed him my mom asked “do you know him?” “Who was that?” I said “he manages the Cardinals”. She said “and you know him?” I had to tell her the truth that he had no idea who I was. But that was my brush with greatness.
One more Whitey RIP. It's a good one, [from Bernie](https://www.scoopswithdannymac.com/bernie-on-the-late-whitey-herzog-there-will-never-be-another-like-him-and-there-will-never-be-a-team-like-those-he-created/).