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In our 15th annual feature, we remember 14 former #stlcards who passed away during this last year, including two beloved Hall of Famers. (free) https://t.co/C9VaQ6KgxE pic.twitter.com/r8J8LFcPSt
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) December 29, 2020
It is a sobering but informative task to close each year by remembering the 15 members of the #stlcards community who passed away during the prior 12 months. (free) https://t.co/PjawE13PHj pic.twitter.com/ngiksSz7uN
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) January 1, 2022
Thanks Brian. Is that picture really Joe Cunningham? It is from 2000, but Cunningham would have been close to 70 at that time and the guy in the photo looks about 35. Hard to say with the hat and all, but it does not look like Jersey Joe.
Speaking of the former Cardinal, Cunningham is a guy who would have been considered more valuable in the modern era than when he played due to great OBP during his career. My dad was a big fan of Cunningham.
I always loved watching Kenny Reitz play third base. He seemed to always get off to blazing starts, hitting about .350 in early May before settling back to his typical production.
We are losing our few remaining Browns’ players. I recall a SABR convention in 1992 where Ned Garver was a featured speaker, and he regaled us with fabulous stories of pitching for the Browns and the words of wisdom Sherm Lollar would bring to him when they had mound visits.
That picture of Reitz made me sad. I loved him so much. If the season ended June 1st, he would have been a first ballot HOFer. His 1973 topps along with Hernandez, Aaron, and Clemente were some of the coolest baseball cards ever.
Watching Reitz play third base was a treat. I was at a game in Dodger Stadium, probably 1975. The Dodgers had a guy on first and attempted a sacrifice bunt. The batter sort of popped the ball in the air towards third and Reitz went charging in as if to catch it. Just as he looked to catch it, he let it drop and picked it up on a bounce, and turned it into a 5-4-3 double play.
He was not known for his foot speed. At the winter banquet in January 1977, which KMOX broadcasted, emcee Jack Buck mentioned that Reitz was at the event. Reitz had played the 1976 season in San Francisco and was traded back to the Cardinals after that one season. Buck said “He is so happy to be back in St. Louis he said he would run all the way here from San Francisco. We expect him here in about 5 years.” (Or something to that effect) 🙂
Loved Reitz as a kid. A really good third baseman. That Cunningham fellow seems like my type of player.
In our 17th annual feature, we remember 15 former #STLCards who passed away during the last year, including Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter and executive Lee Thomas. (free) https://t.co/e4X4qxIjRJ pic.twitter.com/x7nqLGAWdp
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) January 2, 2023
In my mind Nolan Arenado has nothing on Kenny Reitz as far as being a slick fielding 3rdbaseman. There was a reason people called Reitz the Zamboni Machine.
But, like Herzog said, he was so slow it took him two trips to haul ass. That was one of the big reasons he got traded.
r/Esteemed Rat
When Bruce Sutter is mentioned a lot of folks think pretty much the same thing, but not me. What I remember is how ticked off I was when Ty Waller was sent to the Cubs as the PTBNL in the Sutter trade. I followed the AAA team in Springfield, IL closely in those days and Waller was a favorite for some reason.
Always tough losing guys who were part of a lot of our childhoods, when we had a passion for baseball. I recall after the Cardinals traded Bill White going into the 1966 season with George Kernek as their first baseman. But he was a flop and GM Bob Howsam made the deal to bring in Orlando Cepeda, coming back after missing most of ‘65 with a serious knee injury, for lefty and former 20 game winner Ray Sadecki.
Dick Schofield had the distinction of being a Cardinal three different times. He came up to the majors as a Cardinal, later being dealt to Pittsburgh. He was re-acquired in ‘68, let go again, then acquired once more in 1971 I believe.
Sutter’s legacy has been well documented. When we acquired David Green, I thought he would be a future star – great size, speed and a terrific arm. Did not realize Chuckie Carr passed away until reading this article. He was thought of as the next Vince Coleman for awhile.
I have some baseball cards of Ed Bauta, a mostly forgotten reliever who came over in the deal with Julian Javier for Vinegar Bend Mizell.
Lee Thomas was a good player for the expansion Los Angeles Angels after starting his career with brief stints as a Yankee. The 1962 Angels shocked the world in a way in that as a second year expansion club, they stayed in pennant contention most of the season. He was a big part of that club, and later made a bigger name as a long time executive, helping build the 1993 Phillies NL pennant winners.
Remember Milt Ramirez as yet another of those good field-no hit shortstops that seemed to be so prevalent in the early ‘70s.
Curt Simmons was a very good lefty that we had a thread about here just after he passed. A Pennsylvania legend as a prep player – one of those “can’t miss” prospects who would have probably been a Hall of Famer if injuries had not taken their toll on him. He still overcame them to a big degree and carved out a long and mostly successful career.
Yeah, it is tough, Bikemike. Especially when I reflect on the fact that these guys were all in ther 20’s and 30’s and were not unlike immortal and invincible titans when I was young boy of 8 to 10 years of age. It hits home personally in the sense that I’m reminded that I’m getting a bit long in the tooth myself. Oh well, I’ll keep stepping up to the plate and taking my rips until the last out…Haha!
Indeed 1TD. What is really sobering is the fact that I am older than some of the guys we lost that are in this grouping.
My hope is to make it about as long as Curt Simmons was with us. But as you said, the important thing is to keep swinging, enjoy the moment, and while we are here be a positive influence in our family and circle of friends.
Always sobering to reflect on those passed. Obviously Sutter was a big loss for me anyway, though he was a former cub, I overlooked that. In my eyes still the best reliever I ever saw when you take account for all things. I always thought David green would turn into a better player than he did. Sad he died so young. Only other player I remember there was littell far as players during my time watching them. Decent pitcher. Guys like George kernek I find interesting. Never was able to get many chances but I bet he enjoyed every moment though I’m sure he wished for more. Great job as always Brian. I either didn’t catch it at time or I forgot that green died. May they all rest in peace.
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