October 26 in Cardinals History

Cardinals History on This Date

In 1985, In Game 6 of the World Series, Don Denkinger’s controversial ninth-inning call at first base enables the Royals to beat the Cardinals, 2-1. The play, in which Jorge Orta is called safe, when it appears first baseman Jack Clark’s throw to Todd Worrell, covering the bag, clearly beats him, gives Dane Iorg the opportunity to hit a two-run walk-off single and to extend the Fall Classic to a decisive Game 7 that Kansas City will win to capture its first World Championship.

Tony La Russa agrees to a one-year contract in 2009, to return for his 15th season as manager of the Cardinals. The Redbirds have appeared in the postseason eight times under their 65-year-old skipper, including a World Championship in 2006

Mark McGwire , in 2009, will join his former manager Tony La Russa on the Cardinals’ bench as the team’s hitting coach, replacing Hal McRae. The one-time single-season home run champ, whose reputation was ruined when he infamously refused to answer questions about the use of steroids during a 2005 congressional hearing, had La Russa for his skipper in 15 of the 16 years he played in the major leagues, both in Oakland and St. Louis.

With runners on second and third with one out in 2013, Jon Jay’s grounder results in Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia easily throwing out Yadier Molina at the plate. After making the tag at home, Boston backstop Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s errant throw to third base causes third baseman Will Middlebrooks to collide with Allen Craig, who had gone to third and appears to be thrown out while advancing to home, but the umpires ruled that the infielder interfered the baserunner, giving the Cardinals an unusual 5-4 walk-off victory in the first World Series game to ever end on an obstruction call.

In 2014, Cardinal rookie Oscar Taveras, who participated in seven postseason games with St. Louis earlier in the month, dies in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic. The 22-year-old outfielder, who batted .320 and slugged .516 as a minor leaguer, was considered by many to be a ‘can’t-miss prospect’.

Trades and Transactions

The Cardinals traded Greg Millikan (minors) and Rudy Arroyo to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Larry Hisle in 1972.

The Cardinals released Eddie Fisher and Lew Krausse and traded Tommy Cruz to the Rangers. in 1973. They also traded Jim Kremmel to the White Sox for Larry Hisle. Then they traded Bernie Carbo and Rick Wise to Boston for Reggie Smith and Ken Tatum. 

1973- The Cardinals traded Tommy Cruz and cash to the Texas Rangers for Sonny Siebert.

The Cardinals purchased Aurelio Lopez from Mexico City Reds (Mexican) in 1977.

Todd Worrell of the Cardinals granted free agency.\ in 1992.

Pat Kelly, in 1998, of the Cardinals granted free agency.

In 2003, the Cardinals granted free agency to Miguel Cairo, Joe Girardi, Orlando Palmeiro, Eduardo Perez, and Brett Tomko. 

Birthdays

  • Charlie Swindells 1878
  • Harry Camnitz 1884
  • Bud Byerly 1920
  • Tommy Glaviano 1923
  • Dick Bolelmann 1926
  • Mark Sweeney 1969
  • Dominic Leone 1991

Deaths

  • Charlie Rhodes 1918
  • Charlie Comiskey 1931
  • Mike Murphey 1952
  • Gus Mancuso 1984
  • Bob Scheffing 1985
  • Russ Derry 2004
  • Oscar Taveras 2004