Larry Jaster's exploits in MLB earned him not one, but two nicknames: The Creeper and The Dodger Killer. This spotlight of an unsung hero covers Larry's five decades in baseball as a player and coach. He shares his recollections of helping the Cardinals win the pennant in '67, being the first person to pitch in Canada for the Expos, shutting out the Dodgers five times in a row, and rubbing elbows with legends like Willie McCovey, Ted Simmons, and George Kissell.

His story about Bob Eucker is not to be missed.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

"No-Chin" Willis kept his chin up as he worked his way through the minor leagues and into a position to help the St. Louis Cardinals win the WS in '67 and the NL pennant in '68. His adventures include being on fire in the Cardinal dugout and being among the league leaders in saves in '67.

This episdoe also includes an interview with a guard at Busch Stadium in the late '60s who recounts his duties and interactions with various players.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

What former Cardinal, while pitching a minor league game, collapsed on the mound and was taken to a hospital where he was issued his last rites? Surviving this near fatal experience, years later he provided key pitching for the Redbirds in their championship seasons of ’67 and ’68.

The answer is the unsung hero of this episode: Joe Hoerner.

An All-Star reliever, Hoerner had an interesting life full of peaks and valleys. Consider these examples:

• Wins a state championship. Then almost dies in a hospital with heart problems.

• Wins Rookie of the Year in the minors, then is stuck there for many years, moving 35 different times.

• He earns a WS ring. Then he is involved in a tragic boating accident that killed two different people.

Enjoy the ups and downs of professional baseball life during the late 60s and 70s in this spotlight of Joe Hoerner.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

Many father/son duos have been on the field of play in MLB: Ken/Ken Jr. Griffey, Bobby/Barry Bonds, Sandy/Roberto Alomar, Felipe/Moises Alou, Ray/Bob Boone, and Jose/Jose Jr. Cruz to name a few. However, only one duo had both the father and son sporting multiple WS rings with each of them having a WS ring as a St. Louis Cardinal.

This episode reveals this duo, focusing mainly on the father from Joliet, IL. It covers the career of this unsung hero, his ups and downs as a player and as a father.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

Your hosts, Tom and Jon, are taking a much needed break from producing episodes this month. We will be back in March to share more spotlights on unsung heroes from the storied St. Louis Cardinal franchise.

Meanwhile, enjoy this previously released episode that interviews this rookie who beat out Tom Seaver for the 1967 MLB The Sporting News Rookie of the Year. He's the same guy who led the Cardinals in wins that year. He was a 29-year-old rookie who picked up the mantle when Gibson went down with a broken leg, leading the team with 16 wins, only becoming a regular starter in May. He's currently an eighty-six-year-old who delights us with an interview that covers his adventures from minor league ball to pitching in Fenway as he helped lead the Cardinals to a World Series Championship. Don't miss his recollection of battling Hank Aaron.

Dick is accompanied by his wife Ann who provides unique perspective in living through professional baseball in the 60s.

Your hosts, Tom and Jon, are taking a much needed break from producing episodes this month. We will be back in March to share more spotlights on unsung heroes from the storied St. Louis Cardinal franchise.

Meanwhile, enjoy this previously released episode that features Car Warwick, his wife Nancy, and their son Greg. Carl was a critical component of the 1964 WS Champion Cardinals. Because of Carl's dementia, Nancy carries this interview with her hilarious recollections of what it was like for a family stuggling to make it in minor and major league baseball during the 60s. She shares anecdotes that feature Bob Eucker, Bob Gibson, and others. It's a fascinating look at this lifestyle from the wife's perspective. Nancy's a hoot. This episode has only the second half of our interview with Nancy; if you enjoy this, go back through our episode catalog and hear the first half of the interview.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

Mentored by Dave Ricketts and George Kissell, Danny Sheaffer played for various MLB teams, including the Cardinals in the mid 90s. Armed with the knowledge of Ricketts and Kissell, Danny made an impact on recent Redbird stars such as Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright. Powerful anecdotes concerning both Molina and Waino are depicted in this episode along with his experiences with Ricketts, Kissel, Tony Larussa, Jose Altuve, and others.

Sheaffer provides unique insight into how baseball was when he played and how it has changed today.

If you enjoyed this episode, please look at recent episodes where Sheaffer and Terry Kennedy- a 4X MLB All-Star mentored by Ricketts- speak at length about their reverence for Mr. Ricketts.

How does a catcher "manage" a pitcher?

What did Bob Gibson tell his catcher to do when the catcher was uncertain of which pitch to signal for?

What does pre-game prep for pitchers and catchers look like?

What was it like having a locker next to Ted Simmons, especially if you were the person trying to take his position?

In July of 1980, with a field temperature of 149 degrees, while catching a 14 inning game, how many pounds did Terry Kennedy lose?

The answers to these question are in our 50 minute rivoting insider look at MLB from the perspective of Terry Kennedy, a former Cardinal who spent four decades in professional ball.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com