Tag Archives: Enos Slaughter

Chris Carpenter Turns 40 Today

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Isn’t there a certain irony to Adam Wainwright finding out the full extent of his Achilles’ injury today, which is Chris Carpenter’s 40th birthday?

CC-from LindaSMaybe it’s just me — I could likely find a way to connect Chris Carpenter to anything Cardinals’ related, or would at least be up for that challenge — but it certainly seems coincidental. Because another likely lost-season for today’s ace becomes yet another thing Wainwright has in common with the previous ace/2011 postseason hero/2005 Cy Young Award winner/all-around BAMF, who missed the entire 2003 season, made one start in 2007, four in 2008, three in 2012 and tried his damnedest to come back in 2013 until he couldn’t try anymore.

Oh, for what might have been for both of them without their injuries …

Okay, enough sadness. Unless Chris is upset about turning 40. Although if he is, it’s probably more this kind of intensity that we used to love seeing from him. (“I’m 40 now? S—! F—!”)

In that respect, let us honor the warrior that he was during his playing days — and marvel at the fact that two Cardinal Hall of Famers also were born on April 27.

Born on April 27, 1896? The Rajah, Rogers Hornsby.

Born on April 27, 1916? Enos “Country” Slaughter.

And, obviously, born on April 27, 1975? Christopher John Carpenter.

Read more about all three, from an April 2011 perspective, in this post I wrote for Baseball Digest four years ago today.

If you’d rather just look at some pictures of the now-40-year-old (especially if you are female), there’s this AMF post from three years ago today that may cheer you up about Waino. Or at least make an attempt. Because, yes, it does include all your favorite CC photos …

And if that doesn’t work, just watch that video clip from above over and over. Because Carp definitely does have a way with words.

Happy birthday, Chris!

Counting Down To Opening Night: 9

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It’s Friday! It’s nearing the end of March! There are only 9 more days until the Cardinals begin the regular season on April 5!

Yes, single digits now. And No. 9 is retired by the Cardinals, for Hall of Famer Enos Slaughter (although today at Cards Conclave, Daniel highlighted another No. 9 also now in the Hall of Fame in Joe Torre).

Slaughter is best remembered for a play that occurred exactly 25,000 days ago today, on Oct. 15, 1946.

Cardinals Red Sox BasballHere’s more on his “mad dash” from the Cardinals website:

Slaughter dashed into baseball immortality in Game 7 of the 1946 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. With the scored tied 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Slaughter led off with a single. He remained there as the next two batters were retired and then took off to steal second base with left fielder Harry Walker at the plate. Walker stroked a double into center field, and Boston’s Leon Culberson threw the ball to shortstop Johnny Pesky. While Pesky hesitated on the relay, Slaughter kept on running, ignoring third base coach Mike Gonzalez’s stop sign and scoring what proved to be the series-deciding run.

Ah, beating the Red Sox in a World Series … here’s to that happening again the next time the two teams meet up.

Here’s a Throwback Thursday post from November 2013, after the most recent Sawx-Cards World Series, that focuses on this happier time. Included is this video with the “mad dash” in all its glory, with a description by Harry Walker, who doubled to drive Slaughter in.

Just 9 days!

Throwback Thursday: A Better Cardinals-Red Sox World Series

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Once upon a time (actually, twice up a time) the St. Louis Cardinals met the Boston Red Sox in the World Series and the right team won. The first of those match-ups was in 1946.

1946-Cardinals

Whitey Kurowski, Enos Slaughter, Marty Marion and — of course — Stan the Man

That season was Stan Musial’s first back following his military service in 1945, and all he did in 1946 was hit .365/.434/.587 with 228 hits including 50 doubles, 20 triples and 16 home runs to be named National League MVP and lead the Cardinals to their fourth pennant in five years.

The 1946 World Series is famous for Enos Slaughter’s “mad dash” to score what was the winning run for the Cardinals in Game Seven.You can read complete details about it here (Wikipedia is wonderful, isn’t it?)

And, since seeing is always better, check out this 1946 World Series highlight video, including Harry Walker describing his double that drove in Slaughter.

Yes, there was an obstruction call then too — along with a much happier Series ending, just like there was in 1967 as well.