HOF Herzog Dies at 92

Hall of Fame hardnosed and no-nonsense skipper Whitey Herzog, who guided the St. Louis Cardinals to the 1982 World Series title, has died at the age of 92.

Herzog’s death was memorialized Tuesday with touching, heartfelt statements by his loved ones, as well as the Cardinals organization and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.

“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,” his family said in a statement released by the Cardinals.

As a manager who constructed offenses in both St. Louis and with the Kansas City Royals that depended heavily on the fundamentals of speed, pitching and defense, Herzog was chosen by the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee for induction into Cooperstown in 2010 after serving as manager for four teams over 18 seasons and posting an overall record of 1,281-1,125.

“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,” said Cardinals chairman and CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. “Whitey loved the Cardinals, their fans, and St. Louis. He will be sorely missed.”

Born Dorrel Norman Elvert Herzog in New Athens, Illinois, Herzog was a standout dual athlete as a baseball and basketball player in high school who made the decision to sign with the ‘Bronx Bombers’ New York Yankees instead of going to college.

According to his SABR biography, Herzog was given the nickname “Whitey” while in the Yankees minor league system because his light blond hair resembled another pitcher, Bob “White Rat” Kuzava.

Herzog was eventually called up to the majors in 1956 after he was dealt to the Washington Senators, playing what would be a career-high 117 games as an outfielder and first baseman. He carved out an eight-year career in the majors, hitting .257 with 25 longballs and 172 RBI for the Senators, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers before hanging up his cleats as a player in 1963.

Herzog got his first crack at a managerial position a decade later, succeeding Ted Williams as skipper of the Texas Rangers. He had a cup of coffee and a donut, lasting less than one season before he was fired and replaced by Billy Martin.

He wore the interim manager tag for the California Angels for four games in 1974 before taking over the Kansas City Royals in the middle of the 1975 season. He went on to have a successful stint in Kansas City, leading the Royals to a trio of division titles and a second-place finish in four full seasons from 1976-79.

Herzog saved his best performance and greatest success for the ‘Red Birds’ and St. Louis. He managed the Cardinals for 73 games in 1980 before being elevated to general manager. But he returned to the dugout for the 1981 season while still retaining his duties as GM.

Under the leadership of Herzog, the Cardinals returned to the playoffs in 1982, capturing the National League pennant and defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in seven games in the Fall Classic. He also piloted the Cardinals to World Series appearances in 1985, when he was voted NL Manager of the Year, and in 1987, but the Cardinals experienced crushing defeat in seven games both times.

Herzog moved upstairs to a front office position for a swan song, serving as the Angels general manager in 1992 and 1993. When he stepped down, it ended his beautiful 45-year relationship with baseball as a player, coach, manager and executive.

“Whitey Herzog was one of the most accomplished managers of his generation and a consistent winner with both ‘I-70’ franchises. He made a significant impact on the St. Louis Cardinals as both a manager and a general manager, with the Kansas City Royals as a manager, and with the New York Mets in player development,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

Herzog was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame for his contributions and accomplishments as a manager, entering Cooperstown as part of the Class of 2010 with outfielder ‘The Hawk’, Andre Dawson and umpire Doug Harvey.

Herzog’s last public appearance had been at the Cardinals’ home opener 12 days ago.