Whitey Herzog Finally Goes into the Hall of Fame

Dorrel Norman "Whitey" Herzog from New Athens, Illinois was selected to the class of 2010's baseballs Hall of Fame. Whitey will be inducted into Cooperstown this coming July.

Herzog, who is 78, becomes the tenth manager of the Cardinals to enter the Hall of Fame. He is the 19th manager to be inducted. He spent 18 seasons as a baseball manager and won six division titles. He won three with the Kansas City Royals and three with the Cardinals. He has won World Series title in 1982 with the Cardinals.

While in St. Louis, Herzog was both General Manager and Field Manager at the same time. During the 80's, he relied on speed, gap hitting and pitching to develop in St. Louis what was called "Whitey Ball."

Herzog was selected along with former umpire Doug Harvey. The two were chosen from a 16 person panel. Each needed 12 votes to get in. Herzog got 14 and Harvey got 15. They both were selected by the Veteran's Committee.

Herzog began his career as a utility first baseman. He hit 257 and had 25 home runs in an 8 year career. In 1973, he became manager of Texas and went 47-91 before being fired in September. He got his second chance as manager with the Kansas City Royals. He managed them from 1975-79. He won three division titles. but, they lost to the New York Yankees all three times in the play-offs. He was let go after the 79 season.

Gussie Busch hired Herzog in 1980 and gave him free reign over the ball club. With his player personnel changes, Herzog won pennants in 1982, 85 and 87. Herzog not only won games, attendance soared to all time highs. Twice, the club drew over three million people in attendance. After the Cardinals, Whitey finished his career with the California Angels.

Herzog compiled a winning percentage of .532 as a manager. Some feel that a call made by umpire Don Dinkinger in the 1985 World Series might of kept Herzog from entering the Hall sooner. Dinkinger and Herzog are best of friends today.

Herzog can be found in attendance at many St. Louis sporting events. Besides appearing at baseball games, he can be seen at Blues hockey and Rams football games. However, one sport that Whitey also loves is High School Basketball.

sources; Rick Hummel, www.stltoday.com , www.espn.com