December 9 in Cardinals History

In 1965, eleven days shy of his 84th birthday, former Cardinals, Dodgers, and Pirates executive Wesley Branch Rickey, named by ESPN in 1999 as the most influential sports figure of the twentieth century, suffers a heart attack, falling over the podium while beginning his remarks to an audience during his induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. ‘The Mahatma’, who is responsible for breaking the color barrier in 1947 with the signing of Jackie Robinson and implementing the concept of farm systems for the major leagues, will die three weeks later while in intensive care at Boone County Memorial Hospital.

Trading History and Transactions

The Cardinals sign free agent Dexter Fowler to a 5-year contract in 2016.
The Houston Astros sent Mark Ross to the Cardinals as part of a conditional deal in 1985.
The Cubs trade reliever Bruce Sutter to the Cardinals in 1980 for outfielder Leon Durham and infielder Ken Reitz.
The Cardinals purchased Vicente Romo in 1981 from Coatzacoalcos (Mexican) and purchased Eric Rasmussen from Yucatan (Mexican).
The Houston Astros traded Ron Selak (minors) to the Cardinals for Randy Wiles in 1977.
In 1976, the New York Mets traded Leon Brown and Brock Pemberton to the Cardinals for Ed Kurpiel.
Cardinals traded Ron Reed to the Philadelphia Phillies for Mike Anderson in 1975.
The Cardinals, in 1974, traded Ike Brookens to the Detroit Tigers for John Young.
The Cardinals traded Mike Nagy in 1973 to the Houston Astros for Jay Schlueter.
The Boston Braves purchased Red Barrett from the Cardinals in 1946.
In 1935, the New York Giants traded Roy Parmelee, Phil Weintraub and cash to the Cardinals for Burgess Whitehead.