Whitey Herzog
With his take-charge attitude, Whitey Herzog led Kansas City to three straight American League West division titles, and St. Louis to three National League pennants and a World Series championship in 1982. He guided his teams to first or second place finishes in nine of his 18 years at the helm. His style of baseball, dubbed "Whitey Ball," featured speed, defense and a strong bullpen. Fulfilling that style as general manager of the Cardinals, he orchestrated deals that brought Willie McGee, Ozzie Smith and Bruce Sutter to St. Louis.
Quotes About Herzog
"That Herzog is as smooth a fielder as I've seen for a kid coming up. He has a lot of power, too." — Birdie Tebbetts
Played For
Washington Senators (1956-1958)
Kansas City Athletics (1958-1960)
Baltimore Orioles (1961-1962)
Detroit Tigers (1963)
Managed
Texas Rangers (1973)
California Angels (1974)
Kansas City Royals (1975-1979)
St. Louis Cardinals (1980-1990)
Best Season: 1982
This team bore Herzog's thumb print, since he had acquired four of the eight everyday players, four key bench players, three-fifths of the starting rotation, the closer and virtually the rest of the bullpen. Not only did Herzog's acquisitions make good -- they won the pennant and the World Series. Shortstop Ozzie Smith (Gold Glove, 25 SB), a future Hall of Famer, had come to St. Louis only after Herzog had promised he would be an important part of the Cardinals' team; catcher Darrell Porter (12 HR, .347 OBP) had played for Whitey in Kansas City and after hitting rock bottom and almost leaving baseball because of drug and alcohol addiction, was brought to St. Louis; outfielder Lonnie Smith (120 runs, .307, 68 SB) was acquired in a trade with the Phillies; and center fielder Willie McGee (.296, 24 SB) was swiped from the Yankees' organization. Staff ace Joaquin Andujar (15-10, 2.47) came over in one of Whitey's trades with Houston; closer Bruce Sutter (36 saves, 2.90) was obtained from Chicago in the world-wind Winter Meetings deals after the 1980 season; Doug Bair (2.55, 63 relief games) came in a trade from the Reds in the midst of the '81 campaign; Dave LaPoint (9-3, 3.42) came over in the deal with Milwaukee that sent Ted Simmons and Rollie Fingers away; and Steve Mura (12-11) was a throw-in in the Ozzie-Templeton deal. Holdovers from the pre-Herzog era were first baseman Keith Hernandez, second baseman Tommie Herr, third baseman Ken Oberkfell and outfielder George Hendrick. The Cardinals led the NL in OBP and steals (an even 200), and despite finishing last in the league in homers, they were 5th in runs scored. Their pitching staff was 3rd in ERA (3.37), despite the fewest strikeouts in baseball. They made opposing hitters put the ball in play, where their #1 defense took care of the rest. The Cardinals committed just 124 errors and turned the second most DP's in the league. They beat the Phillies by three games in the NL East, swept the Cardinals in the playoffs (allowing just four earned runs in three games), and faced the Brewers in the World Series. While Robin Yount and Paul Molitor were stealing the headlines with 23 combined hits in the series, the Cardinals blew Milwaukee out in Game Six, 13-0 and won Game Seven, 6-3 as Herzog disciples Andujar and Sutter got the win and save. McGee had two homers in the series and Porter was named MVP for his five RBI, two of which won games.
Future Managers who Played under Whitey Herzog
Jim Fregosi, Frank Robinson, Bobby Valentine, Buck Martinez, Hal McRae, John Wathan, Clint Hurdle, Art Howe, Tony Pena
Born
Dorrel Norman Elvert Herzog was born on November 9, 1931, in New Athens, IL.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: KC1
Major League Debut
April 17, 1956
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1956
Frank Robinson
Luis Aparicio
Bill Mazeroski
Curt Flood
Don Drysdale
Moe Drabowsky
Tito Francona
Charlie Lau
Whitey Herzog
Nicknames
The White Rat
Similar Players
As a player: Joe Christopher, Len Gabrielson, Al Pilarcik; As a manager: Chuck Tanner and Al Lopez.
Post-Season Notes
Herzog's teams played in six Ultimate Games, posting a 204 record: in the '76 ALCS, Chris Chambliss hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth of Game Five to win the game, 7-6... In 1977, the Yankees rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth to win Game Five, 5-3... In Game Seven of the '82 WS, Herzog's Cardinals came back from a 3-1 deficit in the 6th inning to win 6-3 behind Joaquin Andujar and Bruce Sutter, two players Herzog had personally brought to St. Louis... In the game that Herzog called "his most disappointing moment in baseball," the Cardinals lost Game Seven of the 1985 World Series, 11-0. The night before, in Game Six, the Cardinals had lost when an umpire's call at first base gave Kansas City a second chance... In Game Seven of the 1987 NLCS, the Cardinals prevailed 6-0, behind Danny Cox... In the '87 World Series, the Cardinals took an early 2-0 lead in Game Seven but lost to the Twins, 4-2.
Best Strength as a Player
Identifying players with specific skills and putting them in a role that utilized those skills and minimized their weaknesses.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Lack of tact.
Learn More about Whitey Herzog
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