Whitey Herzog, Hall of Fame manager who led Cardinals to 1982 World Series title, dies at 92

Whitey Herzog, the Hall of Fame manager who guided the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series title, has died. He was 92.

“Whitey spent his last few days surrounded by his family,” the Herzog family said in a statement released by the Cardinals. “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.”

“Whitey Herzog was one of the most accomplished managers of his generation and a consistent winner with both ‘I-70’ franchises,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “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. Whitey’s Cardinals’ teams reached the World Series three times in the 1980s, winning the championship in 1982, by leaning on an identity of speed and defense that resonated with baseball fans across the world.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Whitey’s family, his friends across the game and the fans of the Cardinals and the Royals.”

The entire Cardinals family is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer and World Series champion manager Whitey Herzog at the age of 92. pic.twitter.com/PLwAM6PV4V

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 16, 2024

“On behalf of the entire St. Louis Cardinals organization, I would like to offer our condolences to the family and many friends of Whitey Herzog,” said Cardinals chairman and CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. “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. Whitey loved the Cardinals, their fans and St. Louis. He will be sorely missed.”

Born Dorrel Norman Elvert Herzog, he was given the nickname “Whitey” by MacAlester, Oklahoma, sportscaster.

Before he was a manager, Herzog played for the Washington Senators, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers over seven years.

The start of his post-playing days saw Herzog serve as a scout for the Athletics and then as a third base coach and later director of player development for the New York Mets. He was part of the organization when the “Amazin’ Mets” won the World Series in 1969.

“Baseball has been good to me since I quit trying to play it.”After being passed over to replace Gil Hodges as Mets manager in 1972, Herzog moved on and took over as manager of the Texas Rangers. He was fired before season’s end as the team accumulated 100 losses.

Herzog was hired in 1974 by the California Angels to coach first base and eventually took over as interim manager. One year later, he replaced Jack McKeon in the dugout as manager of the Kansas City Royals, where he would remain through 1979.

It was beginning in 1980 where Herzog would find success as an MLB manager. He was hired by the Cardinals and adapted their playing style to the artificial turf at Busch Stadium. Speed on the base paths, quality fielding, timely hitting, and reliable pitching became known as “Whiteyball,” and it would help lead the franchise to a World Series title in 1982.

Herzog didn’t just manage the Cardinals. He was also general manager from 1980-1982 where he helped acquire future Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith from the San Diego Padres.

The Cardinals would win two more pennants under Herzog — 1985 and 1987 — but fall in the World Series to the Royals and Minnesota Twins.

After a decade in charge, Herzog would resign as Cardinals manager on July 6, 1990 with a record of 822-728 in St. Louis, a World Series title, and three NL pennants

“I came here in last place and I leave here in last place. I left them right where I started,” Herzog said after he resigned.

Herzog would never manage again and finished with 1,281 careers wins with four different teams. He won six division titles and was named NL Manager of the Year in 1985.

In 2009, Herzog was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame via the Veterans’ Committee and was inducted in July 2010. That same year the Cardinals retired his No. 24, which had previously been worn by pitcher Rick Ankiel.