Today, November 9, is a special day for the St. Louis Cardinals and their loyal fanbase, as a certain franchise legend is celebrating a birthday today.
Former manager Whitey Herzog is celebrating his 91st birthday.
Herzog managed the Cardinals from 1980-1990, winning a World Series title in 1982 and taking the Cards back to the World Series in 1985 and 1987.
Prior to his tenure in St. Louis, Herzog managed the Texas Rangers, California Angels, and Kansas City Royals.
On Twitter, the Cardinals paid tribute to Herzog, wishing him a Happy Birthday and posting a picture of him wearing a red Cardinals jacket and joining the rest of the team’s Hall-of-Famers on Opening Day, as is tradition in St. Louis.
Happy 91st Birthday to World Series Champion and Hall of Fame Manager, Whitey Herzog! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/FAZtMTRIC4
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) November 9, 2022
Happy Birthday, Whitey Herzog!
“The White Rat,” as he is affectionately known in St. Louis, helped lead the Cardinals back to prominence after a difficult 1970s decade, and he brought Cardinals baseball back in style with his own brand of baseball.
This brand of baseball was known as “Whitey Ball.”
In the 1980s, the Cardinals were best known for their running game, which is how “Whitey Ball” got its name.
St. Louis had several star players who could steal bases including Willie McGee, Ozzie Smith and Vince Coleman.
Those Cardinals teams also featured stars such as Keith Hernandez, Bruce Sutter, Darrell Porter, Jack Clark, John Tudor, Jim Kaat, Bob Forsch, Tom Herr, Dave LaPoint, and Joaquin Andujar.
In 1982, St. Louis defeated the Milwaukee Brewers to capture their ninth World Series title.
To this day, Herzog is revered in St. Louis as one of the best managers in franchise history.
NEXT: New Cardinals Coach Comments On A Potential Future Endeavor