RetroSimba

(Updated Aug. 28, 2022)

George Kernek was so highly regarded by the Cardinals they chose him to replace Bill White as their starting first baseman and issued him the uniform number previously worn by third baseman Ken Boyer.

Kernek was the Opening Day first baseman for the 1966 Cardinals, but the rookie held the job for less than a month, was sent back to the minor leagues and never played in the majors again.

Awarded a key position with a storied franchise, Kernek represented one of the biggest misjudgments made by Bob Howsam during his tenure as St. Louis general manager.

After the 1965 season, Howsam shocked St. Louis fans by breaking up his all-star infield. He traded Boyer to the Mets and sent White and shortstop Dick Groat to the Phillies.

News reports speculated the Cardinals would try to acquire a veteran first baseman such as Joe Pepitone of the Yankees, Donn Clendenon of the Pirates or Gordy Coleman of the Reds. Instead, the Cardinals preferred Kernek.

A basketball and baseball standout at the University of Oklahoma, Kernek signed with the Cardinals in 1961 and was assigned to Winnipeg of the Northern League. As he worked his way through the farm system, Kernek developed a reputation as an opposite-field hitter with little power. In his first four minor-league seasons, the left-handed batter averaged about six home runs a year.

Before the 1965 season, Fred Hawn, the scout who signed Kernek, told him he needed to hit with power to reach the big leagues. Kernek began a weight-training program, focusing especially on strengthening his wrists. He also switched to a lighter bat, at one point using a Stan Musial model. With the increased strength and lighter bat, Kernek began to consistently pull the ball.

Playing for Class AAA Jacksonville in 1965, Kernek led the International League in total bases. He hit .295 with 19 home runs and 86 RBI for manager Grover Resinger.

“I owe a lot to Grover,” Kernek told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “The last thing he did for me at Jacksonville was to shorten my swing and encourage me to use a lighter thin-handled bat. I got around on the ball better with only a short stroke.”

The Cardinals rewarded Kernek with a call to the big leagues in September 1965 and he impressed with a .290 batting average in 10 games.

In November 1965, White was traded, and Kernek became the leading candidate to replace him.

The Sporting News reported, “Vice president Stan Musial insists the Redbirds are not concentrating on landing a first baseman. The Man feels that there’s a good chance the first base job will be in good hands with George Kernek, Bob Tolan and veteran Tito Francona available.”

Kernek told the Associated Press, “Man, I’m in a heck of a spot. I think one of my biggest problems will be replacing Bill White in the hearts of the St. Louis fans. He’s really a great guy. When I came up at the end of last season, he gave me some good pointers.”

The Cardinals sent Kernek to their Florida instructional camp that winter and George Kissell worked with him on fielding. Kernek mostly had played outfield for Jacksonville in 1965. Kernek’s daily program with Kissell included making 25 throws to the pitcher covering first base, 25 throws to the second baseman on double-play attempts and 25 throws to home plate.

As for hitting, Cardinals coach Dick Sisler said, “I certainly like the way Kernek swings. There’s no use in fooling around with him.”

On March 4, 1966, the Associated Press reported manager Red Schoendienst had tabbed Kernek, 26, the favorite to win the first base job. Three days later, during a rundown play in a practice session, Kernek twisted a knee. He sat out a week before playing his first exhibition game on March 15.

A day later, Kernek, using a Bill White model bat, hit a three-run home run against Orlando Pena of the Tigers. “He’s a better hitter than people give him credit for being,” Cardinals coach Joe Schultz said. “He has good power.”

Troubling signs, however, emerged. Kernek completed spring training with a .224 batting average. In the season opener against the Phillies, Kernek made an error, went 0-for-2 and was lifted for pinch-hitter Mike Shannon with two on and one out in the seventh. Boxscore

Adding to expectations, Kernek was assigned White’s locker and given the uniform number 14 previously worn by Boyer.

Displaying almost no power, Kernek remained the starting first baseman through May 1. After Schoendienst benched him, the Cardinals went with a platoon of Francona and Phil Gagliano for five games.

On May 8, 1966, the Cardinals dealt pitcher Ray Sadecki to the Giants for first baseman Orlando Cepeda. “We needed somebody at first base, a big guy who could hit the ball,” Schoendienst said.

In 20 games, Kernek hit .240 with no doubles, no home runs and three RBI. He was sent to Class AAA Tulsa on the same day the Cardinals acquired Cepeda.

“It was pretty tough being sent down,” Kernek said to The Daily Oklahoman.

Kernek spent the remainder of the 1966 season and all of the 1967 season at Tulsa. Though he had solid numbers (18 home runs, 84 RBI for 1966 Tulsa and 14 home runs, 68 RBI for 1967 Tulsa), he no longer fit in the Cardinals’ plans.

After the 1967 season, Kernek was dealt to the White Sox for outfielder Jim Hicks. Kernek spent 1968 and 1969 with White Sox Class AAA clubs.

In 1970, Howsam, general manager of the Reds, brought Kernek into the Cincinnati organization. Kernek finished his professional career with Class AAA Indianapolis, managed by one of his former Cardinals instructors, Vern Rapp.