Whitey Herzog Dies at 92; Hall of Fame Cardinals Manager Won World Series in 1982
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacek
Featured Columnist IVApril 16, 2024
The St. Louis Cardinals announced Tuesday that former manager Whitey Herzog died.
"The entire Cardinals family is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer and World Series champion manager Whitey Herzog at the age of 92," the announcement read.
In addition to his managerial career, Herzog played in the major leagues for eight seasons for the Washington Senators, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers from 1956 to 1963.
Herzog slashed .257/.354/.365 with 25 home runs, 172 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 634 games during his career as a first baseman and outfielder.
Yet he was better known as a manager in the coming seasons.
His first managerial job came in 1973 when he led the Texas Rangers, and he ended up managing the California Angels in 1974 before leading the Kansas City Royals for five seasons from 1975 to 1979 prior to his 11-year stint with the Cardinals.
"Whitey Herzog was one of the most accomplished managers of his generation and a consistent winner with both 'I-70' franchises," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "He made a significant impact on the St. Louis Cardinals as both a manager and a general manager, with the Kansas City Royals as a manager and with the New York Mets in player development. Whitey's Cardinals teams reached the World Series three times in the 1980s, winning the championship in 1982, by leaning on an identity of speed and defense that resonated with baseball fans across the world.
"On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Whitey's family, his friends across the game and the fans of the Cardinals and the Royals."
Herzog found his most success leading the Cardinals.
He managed the National League team from 1980 through 1990 and went 822-728 overall with three National League pennants. He took home the National League Manager of the Year in 1985 during one of those pennant-winning seasons, although the Cardinals lost the World Series to the Royals in seven games.
While they also lost the 1987 Fall Classic to the Minnesota Twins in seven games, they prevailed in the 1982 World Series with a seven-game victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
It was one of the most memorable moments of Herzog's Hall of Fame managerial career. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2010.