ST. LOUIS — Legendary St. Louis Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog has died, former KSDK Sports Director Jay Randolph confirmed Tuesday morning. Herzog was 92.
Dorrel Norman Elvert “Whitey” Herzog managed the Cardinals to a World Series championship in 1982 with a dynamic, fast-paced playing style known as "Whiteyball." The team's success continued into the late 1980s, making two more World Series appearances in 1985 and 1987.
He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010 and had 1,281 career managerial wins with the Cardinals, Royals, Rangers and Angels. The Cardinals announced Herzog's death in a press release later Tuesday morning.
The Herzog family issued the following statement through the St. Louis Cardinals:
“Whitey spent his last few days surrounded by his family. We have so appreciated all of the prayers and support from friends who knew he was very ill. Although it is hard for us to say goodbye, his peaceful passing was a blessing for him.”
Herzog is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mary Lou Herzog, their three children; Debra, David and Jim, and their spouses; nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, according to a statement from the Cardinals.
The Herzog family is planning a private celebration of life service after a period of grieving, and ask that any donations please be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
Herzog’s last public appearance had been at the Cardinals’ home opener 12 days ago, when he was introduced to the crowd along with the other Hall of Famers present while he was sitting in the stands.
Herzog was hired by Cardinals owner Gussie Busch in June of 1980, replacing Ken Boyer after previous stints managing the Rangers, Athletics and Royals.
When he learned in a couple of months all of the moves that he thought were necessary to rebuild the Cardinals, he persuaded Busch to also make him the general manager. He often joked that carrying both titles at the same time let him “go to sleep and have a meeting.”
Through numerous trades, Herzog quickly turned the Cardinals into a pennant-contending team that won the 1982 World Series. Taking advantage of the astroturf field and big dimensions at Busch Stadium, his Cardinals of the 1980s relied on speed and defense to go on and win the NL pennants in 1985 and 1987 before losing each year in the World Series.
Inspired by that style of baseball, the fans flocked to Busch Stadium, setting attendance records year after year, which Herzog always said he believed was one of his greatest accomplishments.
He managed the Cardinals until 1990 when, after Busch’s death, he was frustrated by ownership questions and the direction of the franchise and resigned. In his 11 years with the Cardinals, Herzog had a record of 822-728.
Overall, in 18 years as a manager, Herzog led his teams to six division titles, three league pennants and one World Series title. He was elected to the baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.
According to the Cardinals, Herzog was the second oldest living National Baseball Hall of Famer. Willie Mays, also 92, was born in May of 1931, six months prior to Whitey (November 9, 1931).
Herzog is originally from New Athens, Illinois, and lived in the St. Louis area after his Cardinals career. He often talked about coming to games at Sportsman’s Park to watch Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst and the other Cardinals’ stars in the 1940s, also played in the majors for eight years, all in the American League before going on to serve in a variety of positions in player development with different teams before becoming a manager.
“On behalf of the entire St. Louis Cardinals organization, I would like to offer our condolences to the family and many friends of Whitey Herzog,” Cardinals’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a press release. “Whitey and his teams played a big part in changing the direction of the Cardinals franchise in the early 1980s with an exciting style of play that would become known as “Whitey Ball” throughout baseball. Whitey loved the Cardinals, their fans, and St. Louis. He will be sorely missed.”
After retiring from baseball, Herzog remained plugged into the team, and said he continued to watch every game. In recent years, he provided the 5 On Your Side Sports Team with his insights every year.
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