Red Schoendienst becomes the manager.
The mid-1960s saw changes both on the field and off – all while retaining the core of a remarkable successful franchise and its renewed popularity in St. Louis. Schoendienst’s replacement of Keane had been preceded a few weeks earlier by general manager Bing Devine’s firing, the redemption of the final pennant drive having come too late to assuage owner August Busch’s dwindling patience. Devine was replaced by Bob Howsam, who made a number of moves to shore up a talented but aging team which struggled through the 1965 campaign, finishing mired in 7th place at 80–81. A capable GM if not Devine’s equal, Howsam made some moves that worked – and some that did not. Howsam traded aging veterans Bill White, Dick Groat, and utility catcher Bob Uecker to Philadelphia in return for Pat Corrales, Art Mahaffey, and Alex Johnson. Popular third baseman Ken Boyer was dispatched to the Mets in exchange for pitcher Al Jackson. Finally, pitcher Ray Sadecki was traded to the Giants for first baseman Orlando Cepeda in 1966. The latter moves worked better than the former, but the Cardinals still finished in 6th place in 1966, resulting in Howsam’s replacement by none other than Cardinals legend Stan Musial. Musial’s most notable move was to acquire Yankees’ star Roger Maris.
Pitcher Bob Gibson, first baseman Bill White, and outfielder Curt Flood won Gold Gloves this year.
Cardinals Amateur Draft a Bust
The first amateur draft takes place and on June 8th the Cardinals select pitcher Joe DiFabio. He doesn’t make it to the major leagues.
Bob Gibson Handles the Bat
Bob Gibson has a good season and hits his fifth home run of the year with a grand slam on September 29th off of Gaylord Perry.
Opening Day starters
Ken Boyer
Lou Brock
Curt Flood
Dick Groat
Julián Javier
Bob Purkey
Dave Ricketts
Bob Skinner
Bill White[
Team is Traded Away
The Cardinals finish in seventh place with a 80-81 record and the Cardinals begin to dismantle the team.
On October 20, Ken Boyer, former World Series MVP, is traded to the Mets for Al Jackson and Charley Smith. A week later on October 27th, Bill White, Dick Groat and Bob Uecker are traded to the Phillies.