ST. LOUIS — Legendary St. Louis Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog has died. He was 92.
Dorrel Norman Elvert “Whitey” Herzog managed the Cardinals to a World Series championship in 1982 with a dynamic, fast-paced playing style known as "Whiteyball." The team's success continued into the late 1980s, making two more World Series appearances in 1985 and 1987.
The Herzog family issued the following statement through the St. Louis Cardinals:
“Whitey spent his last few days surrounded by his family. We have so appreciated all of the prayers and support from friends who knew he was very ill. Although it is hard for us to say goodbye, his peaceful passing was a blessing for him.”
Herzog is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mary Lou Herzog, their three children; Debra, David and Jim, and their spouses; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, according to a statement from the Cardinals.
The Herzog family is planning a private celebration of life service after a period of grieving, and ask that any donations please be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
Throughout the day Tuesday, people in the baseball world were reacting to his passing.
Bob Costas
Costas called in to MLB Network's High Heat to highlight Herzog's career and baseball life.
Bill DeWitt Jr.
“On behalf of the entire St. Louis Cardinals organization, I would like to offer our condolences to the family and many friends of Whitey Herzog. Whitey and his teams played a big part in changing the direction of the Cardinals franchise in the early 1980s with an exciting style of play that would become known as “Whitey Ball” throughout baseball. Whitey loved the Cardinals, their fans, and St. Louis. He will be sorely missed.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred
"Whitey Herzog was one of the most accomplished managers of his generation and a consistent winner with both ‘I-70’ franchises. He made a significant impact on the St. Louis Cardinals as both a manager and a general manager, with the Kansas City Royals as a manager, and with the New York Mets in player development. Whitey’s Cardinals’ teams reached the World Series three times in the 1980s, winning the Championship in 1982, by leaning on an identity of speed and defense that resonated with baseball fans across the world.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Whitey’s family, his friends across the game, and the fans of the Cardinals and the Royals.”
Adam Wainwright
Albert Pujols
Matt Carpenter
St. Louis Blues
Will Leitch
Will Leitch, a contributing editor for MLB.com and lifelong Cardinals fan, spoke about Herzog on MLB Network's "MLB Now".
