Optimism Abounds
The next season, 1915, finds optimism abounding in St. Louis for another good season. Early in the year, pitcher Lee “Specs” Meadows becomes the first major leaguer to wear his eyeglasses regularly.
Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby makes his major league debut on September 10 and goes hitless in two at-bats. Four days later he makes his first start and is headed for a Hall of Fame career. Not before he has a not so spectacular season batting .256. He works on his uncle’s farm and gains almost 25-30 lbs which seemed to help.
Sixth Place
The team completes the year in sixth place and is 72-81 and 18.5 games behind the pennant-winning Philadelphia Phillies.
Starters
Here are the players that played at each position the most number of games:
Catcher Frank Snyder
1B Dots Miller
2B Miller Huggins
SS Art Butler
3B Bruno Betzel
LF Bob Besher
CF Chief Wilson
RF Tom Long
Pitchers Bill Doak, Dan Griner, Lee Meadows, Hank Robinson
Closer -Slim Sallee
Highest Paid Player-Rogers Hornsby $1,200
“I don’t like to sound egotistical, but every time I step up to the plate with a bat in my hands, I feel sorry for the pitcher.” – Rogers Hornsby
One odd note from the season happened on August 30th when the Cardinals lost in the 10th inning after a flyball hit by “Possum” Whitted of the Phillies bounced off the wall, hit the left fielder (Bob Bescher) in the chest and bounded over the wall for a home run.