Cardinals to retire Whitey Herzog's No. 24

That wall's already a bit crowded out there. When Tony hangs 'em up, they'll have to extend it to CF.

I've said it before, but why not do away with the retiring of numbers and just put the names on the stadium ring of honor?

I like retiring numbers. And I like this. Nice honor for the Rat.

Originally Posted by house77

I like retiring numbers. And I like this. Nice honor for the Rat.

OK, I can concede having the HOFer's numbers retired, but guys like McGee, Herr, Simmons, and a few other should have their names displayed on some sort of honor roll.

Great news. Can he pitch?

Originally Posted by Bleacher Creature

OK, I can concede having the HOFer's numbers retired, but guys like McGee, Herr, Simmons, and a few other should have their names displayed on some sort of honor roll.

My heart agrees, but my head doesn't. Those are guys that we remember. However, there were many, many incredible championship Cardinal teams that we don't remember that would likely deserve the same honor.

And Tom Urbani wept.

2071 Cardinals will be out of numbers so we're going to the symbol system. Tommy Herr's great grandson is playing 2b wearing the triangle on the back. So Taguchi's grandson is the square, same as if he were standing on his head. Numbers 1-999 are retired.

but to be honest, I am tickled that Whitey's number is being retired. TICKLED. I love the guy and want my great nieces and nephews to ask who #24 was.

This morning, the mentioned that Herzog was inducted into the HOF today. In listing his accomplishments, they cited improving the Royals dramatically before getting fired when the Royals were 2nd in the division. They also mentioned that he was hired by the Cardinals, but lost the World Series to the Royals in 1985. I laughed. Never mind the World Series he won, let's talk about the one he lost.

Might be the only time Damtoft sheds a tear.

I stress 'might'.

Originally Posted by Bleacher Creature

OK, I can concede having the HOFer's numbers retired, but guys like McGee, Herr, Simmons, and a few other should have their names displayed on some sort of honor roll.

Can we honor Tommy Lasorda & Tom Niedenfuer too?


Niedenfuer was a Cardinal, albeit briefly...

Kurkjian:
Herzog changed way game was played

NYT:
Leaving Mets Put Herzog on a Path to the Hall

Sporting News:
Vince Coleman: 'The players loved to play for' Whitey Herzog

LA Times:
Charismatic Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog was tough act to follow

MLB.com:
Herzog's KC success helped pave way to Hall

Herzog's teams surfed on artificial turf

Toronto Sun:
Herzog's style is timeless

Belleville News Democrat:
Former Cards coach 'thrilled to death' Herzog going into Hall of Fame

It is easy to cop out on retiring Curt Flood's number. Begin by whining that he was not that good a player.

Curtis Charles Flood (January 18, 1938–January 20, 1997) was a Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career as a center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. A defensive standout, he led the National League in putouts four times and in fielding percentage twice, winning Gold Glove Awards in his last seven full seasons from 1963–1969. He also batted over .300 six times, and led the NL in hits (211) in 1964. He retired with the third most games in center field (1683) in NL history, trailing only Willie Mays and Richie Ashburn.

In 1969, despite the lower pitching mound instituted that season which saw a general rise in batting average league wide, Flood's batting average slipped to .285. His brother was arrested during the season, and he participated in a couple of public confrontations with Cardinals' management. Early in the season his conflict with the Cardinals involved his desire for a $100,000 salary[4]. Late in the season he publicly criticized the team for reorganizing the team before they were officially eliminated. He received his seventh Gold Glove this season, just as other events in his career began to affect the entire sport.

Hell no, they will never retire his number.


Point out that his biggest deal was with baseball and the reserve clause, and he lost that battle.

On October 7, 1969, the Cardinals traded Flood, catcher Tim McCarver, outfielder Byron Browne, and left-handed pitcher Joe Hoerner to the Philadelphia Phillies for first baseman Dick Allen, second baseman Cookie Rojas, and right-handed pitcher Jerry Johnson. However, Flood refused to report to the moribund Phillies, citing the team's poor record and the fact that they played in dilapidated Connie Mack Stadium before belligerent – and, Flood believed, racist – fans

In a letter to Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Flood demanded that the commissioner declare him a free agent:
December 24, 1969
After twelve years in the major leagues, I do not feel I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes. I believe that any system which produces that result violates my basic rights as a citizen and is inconsistent with the laws of the United States and of the several States.
It is my desire to play baseball in 1970, and I am capable of playing. I have received a contract offer from the Philadelphia club, but I believe I have the right to consider offers from other clubs before making any decision. I, therefore, request that you make known to all Major League clubs my feelings in this matter, and advise them of my availability for the 1970 season.


I don't care how you sort it all out---it just fucking stinks that his number has not been retired.

Herzog said recently that he would have enjoyed managing the Yankees for George Steinbrenner, partly because of his “sweet spot” for his youthful roots with the franchise but also because of the Boss’s desire to win.

In a conference call, he said Steinbrenner sent him telegrams after the Royals and the Cardinals won division titles, pennants or World Series. In one memorable missive, Steinbrenner wrote, “How in the world can you win a pennant with Joe Oquendo” — actually Jose — “in right field and I can’t win it with Dave Winfield?”

Quitter.

Herzog is so non-PC.

Whitey's giving his HOF speech right now on MLB Network.