The Baseball World Says a Sad Farewell to Hall-of-Famer Red Schoendienst

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The Baseball World Says a Sad Farewell to Hall-of-Famer Red Schoendienst

It’s a sad time for the entire Cardinal Nation. One of the best is gone…

“Red Schoendienst has the greatest pair of hands I’ve ever seen.”-Stan Musial

Old-Time Baseball Photos can’t let the day go by without mentioning the passing yesterday of Red Schoendienst at the age of 95.

Red Schendienst’s playing career spanned 19 years (1945-1963) with the Cardinals (1945–1956, 1961–1963), Giants (1956–1957) and Braves (1957–1960).  He managed the Cardinals from 1965 – 1976,  the second-longest managerial tenure in the team’s history behind Tony La Russa, guiding the Cardinals to the 1967 and 1968 National League pennants and the 1967 World Series championship.   

Over his career, Red compiled a .289 batting average, with 2,449 hits, 1223 runs, 427 doubles, 84 home runs, 773 RBIs, and 89 stolen bases. His best year was probably 1953, when he hit .342, with 107 runs, 79 RBIs, 15 home runs, a .405 on-base percentage, and a 135 OPS+ (100 being the major league average). In his rookie year of 1945, he led the National League in stolen bases with 26. In 19 post-season games, Red hit .269.

The sure-handed and steady Schoendienst was considered one of the best defensive second basemen of his era, often among the league leaders in defensive categories over his career. He handled 320 consecutive chances without an error in 1950. His 1956 league record fielding percentage of .9934 stood for 30 years until broken by Ryne Sandberg. His career fielding average was .983.

Red was a member of five World Series Championship teams (1946, ’57, ’64. ’67, ’82). He managed the Cardinals for 14 seasons, posting a 1041- 955 (.522) record. He was named National League Manager of the Year for both 1967 and 1968. He was elected to St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Fame, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame (1989). His uniform #2 has been retied by the Cardinals.

Prior to his death, Red was the oldest living player in the Hall of Fame. He had worn a major league uniform for 74 consecutive years as a player, coach, or manager, and had served 67 of his 76 years in baseball with the Cardinals.

This old Cub fan says: Rest in Peace, Red. You were a good man…

Gary Livacari

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from the Red Schoendienst Wikipedia page.

Check out my two books, both now available on Amazon in e-book and paperback:  “Paul Pryor in His Own Words: The Life and TImes of a 20-Year Major League Umpire” and “Memorable World Series Moments.” All profits go to the Illinois Veterans Foundation