Missouri magazine, a precursor to Missouri Life, caught up with legendary baseball manager Whitey Herzog in 1995. Herzog, who died April 15, 2024, developed an audacious playing style called Whiteyball, which propelled the St. Louis Cardinals through three pennants and a World Series championship.
A single throw destroyed the legacy of Mansfield, Missouri native Carl Mays. He is the only major league pitcher who ever killed a batter with a pitch. Nearly a century later, two Mansfield women set out to win him some overdue recognition.
From the jacket worn by Mark Twain to Truman’s famous “The Buck Stops Here” sign, you can find these historical icons within the borders of the Show-Me State.
On August 30, 1904, the Great Olympic Marathon debacle unfolds at the Summer Olympic Games in St. Louis, Mo.
On this date in Missouri history, Jackie Robinson makes his debut in St. Louis at Sportman’s Park.
Albert Pujols signs a $100 million, seven-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. One of the top players of the 21st century and of all time, Pujols proved his value for 11 seasons, winning three National League MVP awards. But he shocked fans after the 2011 World Series title when he left St. Louis for a 10-year, $254-million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
This date in Missouri history: The Negro National League is formed in Kansas City. The new league established teams across the Midwest and South, including baseball hotspots like St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City.
On September 24, 1988, by catching for one inning in a game against the New York Mets, the Cardinals’ Jose Oquendo, aka The Secret Weapon, becomes the first National League player in 70 years to play all nine positions in one season. Ross Malone contributed to this post. Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s …
Joplin’s first professional baseball team, the Colts, played their home opener on this day. Other teams in their Missouri Valley League included some from Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma as well as Springfield, Rolla, Nevada, Sedalia, and Jefferson City. Photo courtesy of James Kern on Unsplash This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired …
Cardinals catcher and broadcaster, Mike Shannon (left), was born on this day in St. Louis.
Birthday of George “Grin” Bradley. On July 15, 1876 he threw the first no-hit, no run game in major league history.
“Casey” Stengel, named for his home town of K.C. stunned jeering baseball fans on this day by bowing to them and ceremoniously tipping his cap. From under the hat a bird flew out. Casey may have been the first to give the fans the bird.
This is the birthday of Kansas City’s dominating right-handed starting pitcher, Bret Saberhagen. At 21 he was the World Series MVP when the Royals beat the Cardinals.
The Cardinals signed a young pitcher on this date. The man hurt his arm so the team moved the pitcher, Stanley Musial, to the outfield.
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