Volume 239

Before Interstate 64 was a reality, the most traveled avenue to a ballgame in St. Louis was taking Route 13 until one would reach the Metro East Area. The trip would take you through many small towns including Coulterville, Tilden, Marissa, and New Athens.

The half-way point was close to Tilden where a restaurant called “Harry’s Red Horse Ranch” was an almost must stop for many. I cannot remember a trip with the Carterville baseball leagues that did not include a stop there. At my insistence, as a child, my family often stopped there on the way to Sportsman’s Park. My parents agree to my request, first, because it was much less expensive than the ballpark and their Glorified Burger was a masterpiece that would put Lotta Watta Creek to shame.

Food was not the only conversation on this trip. As many could guess, much of our discussion had to do with baseball. When traveling through Marissa the birthplace of Warren Hacker, he was discussed. Hacker was a pitcher during that era with the Cubs and Phillies. At New Athens and Freeburg, former pitcher Mickey Haefner was mentioned. Haefner had a good career in the forties mostly for Washington. He also owned a tavern in that area during and after his playing days.

Another ball player, from New Athens, was beginning his career during this period. He played for the Senators (Twins) and the Athletics (Kansas City, not Oakland) during that era. He later played for the Orioles and Tigers. He finished his career with a .257 batting average and a total of 25 home runs over eight seasons. Not the kind of statistics that would make opposing pitchers quiver in their spikes. Somehow, though, this journeyman outfielder from southern Illinois would make it to the highest honor his sport allows. It was unthinkable to that boy in the backseat of his family’s Buick, and probably much less likely in the mind of that man himself. Sunday, that man was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His name, as you already know, is Dorrel Norman Elvert Herzog. He is also known by some as “Relly” or “The White Rat”, but to almost all of the Cardinal fans he is known as, just, Whitey.

Herzog spent the first two years after he retired as either a scout or a coach. In 1966 he joined the general manager’s office of the Mets. He remained in that position for seven years. He was greatly credited with the building of the Mets’ organization that led to a World Series crown in 1969.

In 1973 he was named manager of the Rangers and in 1974 guided the Angels. Both were highly unsuccessful campaigns. In 1975, however, he was offered the position of manager with Kansas City. During his five seasons, with the Royals, he won three straight western division championships.

After joining the St. Louis Cardinals, in 1980, he was one of the few people in recent history to serve as GM and field manager at the same time. During his 11 year span as the Cardinals manager he won six divisions, three pennants, and the World Series in 1982.

Even though his last three seasons were under-achieving, he remained very popular with the Cardinal loyalists.

The term Whitey Ball was applied to his style and the way he built his teams, both in Kansas City and St. Louis. The teams were built on good pitching, defense, and speed. Both of the home stadiums, at that time, had a playing surface of artificial turf. This fit right into his strategy. His teams rarely had two people hit more than ten home runs in a season. Yes, he had sluggers such as George Brett, George Hendricks, and Jack Clark, but the supporting cast was made up of free swingers, who hit for a high average. Among them were Hal McRae, Amos Otis, Keith Hernandez, Willie McGee, and Vince Coleman. Not only was this effective with its end results on the field, but this type of players were normally less expensive than the big home run hitters might command.

Statistically Herzog does not, in some people’s eyes, with his 1281 victories as a manager, merit the Hall of Fame honor. After all 33 MLB managers had more victories than him. Tony LaRussa, for example, has more than twice the number of victories as Herzog. Nonetheless, many St. Louis fans will swear that Whitey Ball was the best era of Cardinal baseball. This may be true, but the most recent years and the years of the 1940’s would probably be superior in this writer’s opinion.

Even though Whitey may not have been a great strategist such as Gene Mauch or Paul Richards; neither of which are in the HOF and most likely never will be, he was the right person for his time. Whitey did a lot for the game and even though others may surpass him in certain areas, he is still most deserving of this great honor. Not only that, but he left many in this area with many long-lasting memories.

One thing I do know for sure is the next time I go to a ballgame in St. Louis I will take Route 13 as far as it will take me.

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Even though my lead article was centered on the accomplishments of Whitey Herzog, I do not want to over-look the career of Andre “Hawk” Dawson or that of umpire Doug Harvey. These two, also, received induction honors two days ago.

Dawson, who starred for The Montreal Expos and later for the Chicago Cubs was a player who was dedicated to the game. He was an eight time all star, and named rookie of the year in 1977. He also won eight gold gloves for his performance in center field.

Dawson, who had more knee surgeries (12) than any other MLB player, outside of Mickey Mantle, had lost a step by the time he joined the Cubs in 1987. Nonetheless, he won the MVP Award in his first year playing right field at Wrigley Field. The artificial surface at Montreal probably led to a shortened career and one whose statistics would have been even more impressive without the injuries he suffered.

His statistics are still impressive. One thing that this writer did not remember until this past week is that he is one of only three players to ever hit 400 home runs and steal 300 bases. The other two are Barry Bonds and Willie Mays. That is one very select group!

Dawson was a special player and I am glad he finally got the recognition he rightfully deserves.

Doug Harvey should not be forgotten either. Doug was for 31 years was recognized as the top umpire in the NL. He worked in five World Series and six All Star Games. He was sometimes referred to as “God”, because of his superior knowledge of the rules and their application.

In 1997 Harvey was diagnosed with throat cancer. Since that time he has become a leading spokesperson against smokeless tobacco. He is the first umpire to be named to the Hall in 11 years.

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Meet the Board

It had been this writer’s ambition to have a full section devoted to each of the board members this year. Thus far we have only been successful for 50% of the members. I had thought that this week we would give a brief bio on each. Since the number was higher than I originally thought, we will continue this series for the next couple of months. To those of you I have not got to yet, have patience.

Our Board Member of the week is John Marron. John and his wife, Linda, have lived in the Carterville area since 2001. Even though he is in his third year as a Tri-C Board Member, he has been a coach in girls’ basketball for nine years. The Marrons have three daughters, Tara (18), Molly (17), and Teagan (13).

All three of the girls have participated in Tri-C basketball and softball in the past. For the past three years, John served as Vice-President for girls’ basketball. He has also been the board treasurer for the past two years. In both of these positions he excelled.

John grew up in Midlothian, Illinois and went to Bremen High School for two years. When his parents retired to Ireland in 1976, he went with them to travel Europe and complete his education.

John works as a Pipeline Operator for Texas Eastern Petroleum Pipeline Company (TEPPCO), in Creal Springs. He enjoys spending his Friday evenings in the fall rooting for the Lions football team. He also says he is a big fan of Saluki sports.

In professional sports, he is a fan of the Bears and White Sox. Good choices both. John is able to avoid the Cardinal-Cub wars and prefers the antics of Ozzie Guillen over Piniella.

One wish that John has expressed in the past is that after Carterville gets its new high school, the old high school gym can be made available for use by Tri-C.

Since John is mostly a behind the scenes guy, he does not get the recognition he deserves. It has been a true pleasure working with him and having him serve as board treasurer.

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We are still looking for people’s written comments about the season. We have only received two such emails. That does not include four of the coaches who played in the SIJBL and gave me verbal reports and opinions. If you want to have input, now is the time. Send your comments, regarding any aspect of the program, to brm48@hotmail.com.

The tackle football team is still looking for more 5th and 6th graders to participate. They need at least 15 in order to field a team. At last report that number was at 13. If you know of someone who may be interested please pass along this information.

Last week I wrote about how Lebron James could have authored a book entitled Despicable Me. This week that award goes to Andrew Breitbart. It is one thing to use poetic license and twisting political facts to suit your own agenda, but his work went far beyond. Taking a piece of film and editing it in a manner to give the exact opposite impression, from the full piece, is about as low as one can go. This type of activity and his later denial of any of the subsequent problems incurred by the victim show a lack of any moral fiber. Yes, others including the administration and news media acted inappropriately, but their sins are minor next to those of Breitbart. This type of person only adds to any negative hate-baiting behavior, which divides our people at a time when we need to work together.

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Last week we asked two questions and everyone, who entered, got one question correct and one question wrong. The correct answer to the number of All Star games hosted by the Cubs was correctly answered as being three. The answer to how many All Star games were hosted by the Cardinals was answered incorrectly, by all. One of the people who got the Cubs question correctly was Aimee Cole-Steele, who wins our Blizzard this week. Congratulations Aimee.

We will again ask the question as to how many All Star games the Cardinals have hosted, for a Blizzard this week. In addition, in honor of our featured board member, John Marron, we will ask how many All Star games have the White Sox hosted?

If you know the answer, please email me at brm48@hotmail.com to be included in the drawing for a large Blizzard.

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Until next time,

Pay attention,

Hustle, and always

Use your “noodle.”