“RIP to the Legend”: Cardinals Fans Mourn Tragic Loss of 92YO Hall of Fame Manager Whitey Herzog

The iconic creator of Whiteyball and St. Louis Cardinals’ tough Hall-of-Fame manager Whitey Herzog is no more. He was 92. The Cardinals’ spokesman Brian Bartow said Tuesday the team had been informed of his death by Herzog’s family. Herzog came in as a revolutionary force during the 80s. Under him, the Cardinals played the sport in a way no one and despite its successes, Herzog’s ways proved to be highly contentious during the 80s.

As he once said, “They (the media) seemed to think there was something wrong with the way we played baseball, with speed and defense and line-drive hitters,” (via his memoir ‘White Rat: A Life in Baseball). However, for the Cards fans, he was nothing short of extraordinary. Herzog’s impact on the team was profound. That has led to fans paying their heartfelt tributes to the legend.

As Fox Sports reported – the crew cut, pot-bellied Herzog was not the usual “buddy-buddy” manager. Instead, he preferred a straightforward, strict, and rather tough way of game management. Under Herzog, it was not uncommon to see the Cardinals winning in low-scoring 1-run games. The Hall of Famer focussed on line drives, base-running, and defense far more than the offense. 

That strategy paid him dividends. Whitey Herzog ended the Cards’ decade-plus-long q3z2sapennant drought. Not only that, under him the team won three NL pennants and one World Series in 1982. Due to his extraordinary achievements, Herzog was voted by the Veterans Committee into the Hall of Fame in 2010. That same year the Cardinals retired his number 24 shirt.

Though a stern individual, Herzog was not without jokes. Whenever asked about his secrets for good management, he’d say “a sense of humor and a good bullpen.” It was this nature that made him beloved by the fans, who flooded the social media with respect for him.

Cardinals fans remember the huge impact of Whitey Herzog

Apart from the St. Louis Cardinals, Herzog also managed the Texas Rangers, California Angels, and Kansas City Royals. Fans of all these teams noted the high impact that Herzog had on baseball. “Great with Royals. Even better with the Cards. RIP Whitey. 1985 was still yours,” a fan’s X post read. 

A fan shared the feelings that millions had during the 80s. “Whitey Ball. Most excitement in baseball.”  Old fans shared their gratitude and happiness that they were able to witness Whitey Ball during the heyday of Herzog. “So happy I was witness to Whitey Ball! What an incredible manager and great part of the STL Cards history. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.” 

“Great manager. One of a kind. So glad he won the World Series in 1982. His magic year,” a post read. The baseball lovers just couldn’t stop talking about the highly entertaining teams that Herzog managed. His brand of baseball somehow still resonates with the fans. “He was the man in the 80’s. My condolences to your loss. He and Lasorda made the national league and the game great,” a fan said.

Rarely do individuals have such a transcendent impact on baseball. The baseball world has come together in mourning for Herzog and celebration of his extraordinary baseball journey. Rest in Peace Whitey Herzog – there can never be another.

Read more: Who Has the Most Strikeouts In World Series History?