Cards, Royals icon Whitey Herzog dies at 92

ST. LOUIS, Mo–Cardinal Nation lost an icon Tuesday.

And it’s a grief that is shared on the western side of the state as well.

Whitey Herzog died at the age of 92.

His impact on major league baseball in the Show-Me State won’t ever be forgotten.

A life spent in baseball, Whitey Herzog adapted to his situation.

The Hall of Fame skipper steered an expansion team to prominence in Kansas City.

And helped revive the Cardinals.

Dorrel Norman Elvert Herzog was born in 1931.

And grew up in new Athens, Illinois.

He was signed as an outfielder by the New York Yankees.

In the minors a local Oklahoma sportscaster gave him the nickname “Whitey”.

For his signature blonde flat-topped hair.

In 1956, Herzog made his big league debut with the Washington Senators.

Over the next eight years, Whitey played for four teams before his undistinguished playing career ended in 1963.

“I was the kind of player that everybody wanted. But when they got me they didn’t know what to do with me. I’ll be honest about it,” said Herzog.

After his playing days were over, Herzog had brief coaching and managerial stints before he became the Kansas City Royals manager.

He led the team to its first playoff appearance.

And won three straight division titles.

Herzog’s scrappy style of play garnered more success when he arrive in St. Louis.

Playing his signature “Whitey Ball”, his teams concentrated on speed, defense and a good bullpen.

His hard nosed style took the Cardinals all the way to the 1982 world championship.

“Sutter to the belt to the plate, that’s a winner, that’s a winner, a World Series winner for the St. Louis Cardinals.”

The Cardinals won three national league pennants in the 80’s.

And Whitey was named the Sports Illustrated manager of the decade.

In 2010, Whitey Herzog was honored for his lifetime commitment to the game.

Herzog:”Being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, is like going to heaven. Thank you very much.”

Here’s what major league baseball commissioner Robert Manfred had to say about herzog.
“Whitey Herzog was one of the most accomplished managers of his generation and a consistent winner with both I-70 franchises..
On behalf of MLB, I extend my deepest condolences to whitey’s family, his friends across the game and the fans of the Cardinals and Royals.”

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