Tag Archives: Willie McGee

2014 Cardinals Hall Of Fame Induction Class Announced

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The St. Louis Cardinals announced that Jim Edmonds, Willie McGee, Mike Shannon and Marty Marion will be inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 16. This is the first induction class since the team dedicated the Cardinals Hall of Fame with an Inaugural Class on Opening Day in St. Louis earlier this month.

HOF-Cards-Logo-200“We are proud to enshrine this elite group of Cardinals whose outstanding achievements have earned them the honor of permanently joining the greatest names in Cardinals history in our Hall of Fame,” said Bill DeWitt Jr., Cardinals chairman and chief executive officer. “We congratulate each of them on this tremendous honor and look forward to celebrating their achievements in August during Induction Weekend.”

The St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame was established as a way to recognize the exceptional careers and significant achievements of the greatest players in Cardinals history, as well as those who have made exceptional contributions to the organization. To be eligible, players must have played for the Cardinals for at least three seasons and must be retired as a player from Major League Baseball for at least three years. The eligible pool of players is divided into two categories, modern players and veteran players. If a player retired more than 40 years prior to the induction year, he is classified as a veteran player.

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Voting Begins Today for St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame 2014 Class

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Starting today, you’ll have your chance to decide which two players from eight nominees will be inducted into the new St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in August. Fan voting runs through April 22 at cardinals.com/HOF.

St_Louis_Cardinals_1998-present_logoThe nominees are Jim Edmonds, Bob Forsch, Keith Hernandez, Willie McGee, Mark McGwire, Matt Morris, Ted Simmons and Joe Torre.

“Induction into the Cardinals Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors the team can bestow,” Bill DeWitt Jr., Cardinals chairman and CEO, said. “We think it is appropriate to have the best, most knowledgeable fans in the game of baseball choose the two Cardinals players who will be part of this first elected class.”

The St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame was established as a way to recognize the exceptional careers and significant achievements of the greatest players in Cardinals history. To be eligible, players must have played for the Cardinals for at least three seasons and must be retired as a player from Major League Baseball for at least three years. The eligible pool of players is divided into two categories, modern players and veteran players. If a player retired more than 40 years prior to the induction year, he is classified as a veteran player.

Following is a description of each nominee’s career as a Cardinal.

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Catching Up With the Cardinals: Crazy Cold (Again) Edition

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It’s Monday and the polar vortex is back again — but there are now only more 16 days until the Cardinals pitchers and catchers report to Jupiter for spring training. We can handle it, right?

Here’s a look at some interesting Cardinal tidbits you might have missed.

st_louis_cardinals_wallpaper-29831Last night was the annual Missouri Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Springfield. Mo. Among the honorees: Willie McGee. Read more about that here.

If you missed last week’s announcement of MLB’s top 100 prospects, check out the Cardinals on the list at Cardinals Farm. Then check back at Cardinals Farm starting tomorrow as John’s countdown of the Cardinals top 50 prospects gets under way.

Continuing the minor league theme, you probably saw the news last week of those who are non-roster invitees to spring training. Here’s a look at how Casey Rasmus’s hometown paper in Columbus, Ga., covered his invite.

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Throwback Thursday: Vince Coleman’s First Home Run

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When you think of Vince Coleman, you likely think of stolen bases. Or maybe the word “tarp” comes to mind.

Vince ColemanRegardless, home runs are certainly not something you associate with the man who as a rookie for the Cardinals in 1985 stole more than twice as many bases as the entire 2013 team total (110 vs. 45).

Yet Coleman did occasionally hit home runs. Very occasionally, anyway — he had 15 during his six years as a Redbird. But his first was during his Rookie of the Year season, on May 21, 1985.

It was his only homer that year (and his next wouldn’t come until Aug. 26, 1987).

The Cardinals were hosting the Braves at Busch Stadium on May 21. They were up 2-1 in the bottom of the third inning when Vince stepped to the plate with one out. He hit the first pitch from Len Barker deep to right field and … watch for yourself from this TBS broadcast.

Yes, of course his first career homer would be an inside-the-parker. And a stand-up one at that.

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Who Would You Choose For a Cardinals Hall of Fame?

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The official Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum will open as part of Ballpark Village next spring, and construction is moving along nicely. Last month, the United Cardinal Bloggers gave our ideas on what we’d like to see in the museum — our choices are here. This month, we take a look at the five individuals we’d like to see inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame.

Like any election, we had rules to follow. All those who the Cardinals have already honored by retiring their numbers are already included in the Hall of Fame. A player must be retired, or seem to be retired (such as, for example, Scott Rolen). And there’s no limit on service time.

So, with those in place, here, in alphabetical order, are the choices for the Cardinals Hall of Fame.

Jack clarkJack Clark

By Michael

No player compressed more moments into three years than The Ripper. People don’t remember, but when the Cardinals lost Bruce Sutter as a free agent to Atlanta after the 1984 season, most everyone was predicting them to finish last or well below .500. But when the Cardinals got Jack Clark for pretty much nothing in a trade with the Giants, I knew better. I knew how great Clark was — he was the NL’s Eddie Murray, the most dangerous guy at the plate in the league.

And he proved it in Game 6 of the 1985 NLCS — top of the ninth, Cardinals looking like they’d face Orel Hershisher in Game 7 in LA, two runners on. First pitch, boom.

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