(Updated Sept. 20, 2022)
Embarrassed by their inability to stop the Dodgers from stealing bases and convinced they needed to find a solution in order to win a pennant, the 1964 Cardinals turned to an unlikely source for help: Bob Uecker.
The second-string catcher couldn’t slow Dodgers speedsters, but he did provide a defensive upgrade to a 1964 Cardinals club that won its first pennant and World Series title in 18 years.
On April 9, 1964, the Cardinals traded outfielder Gary Kolb and catcher Jim Coker to the Braves for Uecker.
Even then, at age 29, well before he became known as a broadcaster and for his comedy roles on television and in the movies, Uecker had a reputation throughout baseball as a funnyman.
Wrote The Sporting News: “Those who know him regard new Cardinals catcher Bob Uecker as a good-humor man.”
“Yes, I guess you can call me a stand-up type of comic,” Uecker said to St. Louis reporter Jack Herman.
The Cardinals, though, were serious about finding a way to overtake the Dodgers.
Armed for defense
In 1963, the Cardinals finished in second place at 93-69, six games behind the National League champion Dodgers. The Cardinals were 6-12 against the Dodgers in 1963 and stolen bases were a significant reason for that.
The Dodgers were successful on 27 of 33 stolen base attempts (82 percent) against the 1963 Cardinals. For the second season in a row, Dodgers speedster Maury Wills had 11 steals in 12 attempts versus the Cardinals.
“If we have a catcher who can throw well, they might think twice about running,” Cardinals manager Johnny Keane said.
Tim McCarver became the starting catcher for the Cardinals after Gene Oliver was traded to the Braves in June 1963 and his primary backup was Carl Sawatski.
McCarver nailed 38 percent of runners (28 of 73) attempting to steal in 1963 and Sawatski nabbed 30 percent (7 of 23). When Sawatski retired after the 1963 season, the Cardinals went looking for a backup for McCarver.
Uecker spent seven seasons in the Braves’ minor-league system. The Braves had groomed Joe Torre to replace veteran Del Crandall as their starting catcher.
In stints with the 1962 and 1963 Braves, Uecker impressed with his arm. He caught 5 of 7 runners attempting to steal in 1962 and 1 of 2 in 1963.
Office politics
Cardinals general manager Bing Devine was ready to make the trade for Uecker, but club consultant Branch Rickey opposed it, in part, because he didn’t want Gary Kolb to be dealt. Rickey had the support of Cardinals owner Gussie Busch and that gave him a voice in any proposed trade.
In his book “October 1964,” author David Halberstam wrote, “As both Keane and Devine pushed hard for the trade, Rickey resisted with a vehemence out of all proportion to the importance of the players at stake.”
As spring training neared its end, Keane asked Devine to make another attempt for Uecker.
“I’m sorry, Johnny, but I can’t go back there anymore,” Devine replied. “I’ve gone as far as i can go on that one.”
According to Halberstam, Devine suggested that Keane could approach Busch and appeal to him to approve the deal. Keane did and Busch granted his permission.
“We got Uecker to help Timmy and make our catching solid,” Keane said. “We’re certainly not vulnerable behind the plate anymore.”
In Uecker’s 1982 book “Catcher in the Wry,” McCarver said, “Uke really did have some talent. The first thing you looked at was his defensive ability _ his throwing arm and glove. I envied his arm (and) his relaxed, quick hands.”
On his first day with the Cardinals, Uecker was introduced to Rickey. According to Halberstam, Uecker extended his hand and said, “Mr. Rickey, I’m Bob Uecker, and I’ve just joined your club.”
“Yes, I know,” Rickey replied, “and I didn’t want you. I wouldn’t trade 100 Bob Ueckers for one Gary Kolb.”
Then Rickey turned and walked away.
Tough test
The 1964 Cardinals opened the season against the Dodgers at Los Angeles. With left-hander Sandy Koufax starting, Keane put Uecker, a right-handed batter, in the Opening Day lineup. (Uecker, the prankster, posed in a left-handed batting stance for his 1965 Topps baseball card.)
Uecker went 0-for-2 at the plate and 0-for-3 in attempting to prevent stolen bases that night. Willie Davis, Maury Wills and Jim Gilliam swiped bases against Uecker and starting pitcher Ernie Broglio.
“Uecker’s arm was not at fault,” The Sporting News reported. “The Dodgers speedsters just got too much of a jump on Ernie Broglio and the catcher’s strong throws were a little too late.” Boxscore
For the season, the 1964 Dodgers had 11 steals in 14 attempts (78 percent) against the Cardinals, but on July 16, 1964, Wills twice was caught attempting to steal against the Cardinals at St. Louis. McCarver was the catcher. Ray Sadecki was pitching the first time Wills was caught; Mike Cuellar was on the mound the second time. Boxscore
Overall, Uecker threw out 38 percent (8 of 21) of all attempted base stealers in 1964. He was 0-for-5 against the Dodgers; 8-for-16 against the rest of the National League. He hit .198, but his defense and his clubhouse popularity enabled him to stick with the Cardinals throughout the season.
The Phillies and Reds turned out to be the Cardinals’ main competition for the crown. Each finished a game behind St. Louis. The Dodgers were 80-82, in sixth place, 13 games behind the Cardinals.
RetroSimba 
I had forgotten that he played for us. I took some time to look at a couple articles and discovered a statement by Tim McCarver where he”s convinced that without Bob’s relaxing and funny presence in the clubhouse, they may not have been able to get past the Yankees in the Series. And what’s this about being intentionally walked by the great Sandy Koufax? WOW !!
Your comment prompted me to do some digging and, indeed, Sandy Koufax issued an intentional walk to Cardinals batter Bob Uecker. It happened on July 24, 1965, at Dodger Stadium. In his first 2 at-bats vs. Koufax in the game, Uecker singled in the third and hit a solo home run in the fifth. His next time up, in the seventh, the score was 2-2 and the Cardinals had a runner on second with 2 outs. Koufax intentionally walked Uecker to bring up pitcher Ray Sadecki, who struck out. It was the first time as a big-leaguer that Uecker was issued an intentional pass. The Cardinals won, 3-2, in the 10th with an unearned run off Ron Perranoski. I’ll have to do a post on this at some point. Here is the box score: https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1965/B07240LAN1965.htm
Just by chance I came across an article where I read that Branch Rickey was very upset that the team traded Kolb for Uecker. Mr. Rickey even let Bob know what he thought of the trade when Uecker first introduced himself to Branch Rickey.
Thanks. You might enjoy this piece on Gary Kolb because it explains why Branch Rickey liked him and opposed trading him: https://retrosimba.com/2019/07/26/how-gary-kolb-caught-the-attention-of-cardinals-legends/
McCarver’s first appearance in the opening day starting lineup didn’t occur until 1966. Uecker was also behind the plate on opening day, 1965, at Wrigley Field. He was injured in that 10-10 mess, and Dave Ricketts filled in for the next few games.
Good stuff. I never realized that Tim McCarver, who debuted with the Cardinals in 1959, never made an Opening Day start for them until 1966.
Branch Rickey wouldn’t trade 100 Bob Ueckers for one Gary Kolb? I am trying to figure out how that’s an insult to Uecker. It sounds like he would rather have 100 Bob Ueckers instead of one Gary Kolb.
My take on it is that because the Cardinals received Bob Uecker for Gary Kolb, Branch Rickey was saying he wouldn’t take 100 Ueckers, let alone one, for Kolb.