January 6 Cardinals History
In 1967, former major league manager Johnny Keane dies in Chicago, IL from a heart attack at the age of 55. Keane guided the St. Louis Cardinals to the 1964 World Series but left to become the manager of the New York Yankees, whom the Cardinals had beaten in the World Series. After an unsuccessful stint with the Yankees, Keane became a scout with the California Angels.
Birthdays
Jack Slattery 1878 – was a catcher and first baseman for the Boston Americans, Cleveland Naps, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Washington Senators for parts of four seasons between 1901 and 1909. He was never used regularly, and some of his Major League stops were very short (he played only four games for the Naps). He went to college at Boston College and Fordham University. He was head baseball coach at Harvard from 1920 to 1923 and Boston College from 1924 to 1927. In 1928, he was convinced to lead the Boston Braves for a year, but his stint with the Braves lasted only 31 games, going 11–20. He resigned as manager and owner Emil Fuchs hired Rogers Hornsby to replace him.-
Mul Holland 1903 – He played parts of three seasons in the majors, each with a different team. He played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1926, the New York Giants in 1927, and the St. Louis Cardinals in 1929.with last game on July 16, 1929.
Dan Lewandoski 1923 – was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played in two games with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1951 with 0-1 lifetime pitching career.
Ed Bauta 1935 – His pro career extended for 14 seasons, from 1956 to 1964, 1967 to 1969, and 1972 to 1973. Originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was sent to the Cardinals in a May 1960 trade that had a positive impact on both teams. The Pirates received starting pitcher Vinegar Bend Mizell, who helped them win the 1960 National League pennant. Along with Bauta, the Cardinals got a minor league second baseman whose path to the majors was blocked by a future Baseball Hall of Famer, Bill Mazeroski. The young second baseman, Julián Javier, would play for the Cardinals for a dozen seasons, make two National League All-Star teams, and help St. Louis win three pennants and two World Series championships.
Ruben Amaro 1936 – He made his MLB debut in a Cardinals uniform on June 29,1958 and finished 21st in voting for the 1964 National League Most Valuable Player for playing in 129 games and having 299 at-bats, 31 runs, 79 hits, 11 doubles, 4 home runs, 34 runs batted in, 16 walks, a .264 batting average, a .307 on-base percentage, and a .341 slugging percentage.
Marlon Anderson 1974 -was the Phillies starting second baseman in 1999, 2001 and 2002. In 2003, because neither his offense nor his defense were considered exceptional, Plácido Polanco replaced him as the Phillies second baseman (also Chase Utley was then a top prospect of the Phillies’ Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons); Anderson was not offered a contract by the Phillies and signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In 2004, Anderson signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and filled a niche as a utility infielder. He also became known for his skill at pinch hitting, tying for the National League lead in pinch hits with 17 that year. Complete his career with a .275 batting average.
Deaths
Jack Boyle 1898
Jack Stenzel 1899
Harry Camnitz 1911
Charley O’Leary 1934
Tom Poholsky 2001
Bob Sadowski 2017
Bill Campbell 2023
Other Baseball History
1916 – King Cole, the pitcher who gave up Babe Ruth’s first hit in 1914, dies in Bay City, MI at age 29. Cole was a stellar pitcher while playing for the Chicago Cubs, helping his team to the 1910 World Series.