RetroSimba

From 1979 through 1994, the Cardinals often had three or more switch-hitters in their lineups.

In 1986, 1988 and 1990, the Cardinals began seasons with five switch-hitters in the lineup. In 1986 and 1988, the five were second baseman Tommy Herr, shortstop Ozzie Smith, third baseman Terry Pendleton, left fielder Vince Coleman and center fielder Willie McGee. In 1990, second baseman Jose Oquendo joined Smith, Pendleton, Coleman and McGee.

On July 8, 1988, a Friday night at San Francisco, the Cardinals started a lineup with six switch-hitters: first baseman Jose Oquendo, second baseman Luis Alicea, shortstop Ozzie Smith, third baseman Terry Pendleton, left fielder Vince Coleman and center fielder Willie McGee. Catcher Tony Pena and right fielder Tom Brunansky batted right-handed.

Stacking the batting order with switch-hitters didn’t work for manager Whitey Herzog that night, though. Giants right-hander Mike LaCoss pitched a four-hitter in San Francisco’s 1-0 victory. Boxscore

For LaCoss, it was his only shutout of the season and the last of his big-league career. Three of the Cardinals’ hits were singles by switch-hitters Alicea, McGee and Oquendo.

St. Louis’ switching-hitting infield that night was reminiscent of the 1965 Dodgers, who also started four switch-hitting infielders _ first baseman Wes Parker, second baseman Jim Lefebvre, shortstop Maury Wills and third baseman Jim Gilliam _ in the World Series against the Twins. Boxscore

In 1993, the Mets opened the season with six switch-hitters in their lineup: catcher Todd Hundley, first baseman Eddie Murray, shortstop Tony Fernandez, third baseman Howard Johnson, left fielder Vince Coleman and right fielder Bobby Bonilla Boxscore.

Here are my picks, by position, for the all-time Cardinals switch-hitting team (Note: statistics shown are for their time as Cardinals, not total big-league career statistics):

Catcher: Ted Simmons (.298 batting average, .366 on-base percentage, 1,704 hits).

First baseman: Rip Collins (.307 batting average, .370 on-base percentage).

Second baseman: Red Schoendienst (.289 batting average, 1,980 hits).

Shortstop: Ozzie Smith (1,944 hits, 433 stolen bases).

Third baseman: Frankie Frisch (.312 batting average, .370 on-base percentage, 1,577 hits).

Left fielder: Vince Coleman (549 stolen bases).

Center fielder: Willie McGee (.294 batting average, 1,683 hits, 301 stolen bases).

Right fielder: Reggie Smith (.293 batting average, .371 on-base percentage).

Utility players: Terry Pendleton, Garry Templeton, Tommy Herr, Gregg Jefferies, Carlos Beltran, Lance Berkman and Felix Jose.