Whitey Herzog: About Time

There is no doubt that Whitey Herzog is one of the greatest managers of all-time. This great baseball mind didn't nee power bats or power arms to succeed and become one of the most recognizable figures in baseball history. Whitey played in the bigs registering a .257 career batting average and picking up 414 career hits. Whitey as a manager was a mind like no other. He founded a managerial style called "Whiteyball" which basis his team's game around defense, speed and pitching. No home runs were needed to win games with "Whiteyball". Whitey had an attraction to hitter's that knew how to draw walks and have a high on-base percentage, this was essential to him.

The kind of players Whitey liked included Jack Clark, Keith Hernandez, Willy McGee and Ozzie Smith. These payers knew how to play the game the right way, with class and speed, just like Whitey expected them too. Whitey's career record was 1,281-1,125. Along with that Whitey collected a World Series victory and two pennants in his stint with the St. Louis Cardinals. Along with his playing and managerial career Whitey was also the general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1980-1982.

Whitey deserved more then a veteran's committee selection, he deserved a writer's entry. Besides his staggering numbers he put up in the 1980's, Whitey truly valued the game of baseball. He was passionate and enthusiastic about managing, I believe Whitey truly loved his job and if he continued to manage a little longer he would have been a first ballot hall of famer. Him and Earl Weaver were probably two of the biggest hot head managers in all of the game, and that's the way Whitey wanted it. He always wanted to be loyal to his players as his players wanted to be loyal to him, and this though paid off in the long run.