(Updated April 17, 2022)
The Cardinals tried for a year to acquire second baseman Fernando Vina and, when they finally succeeded, they were rewarded for their effort.
On Dec. 20, 1999, the Cardinals got Vina from the Brewers for pitchers Juan Acevedo and Matt Parker, plus catcher Eliezer Alfonzo.
Vina gave the Cardinals the consistent leadoff batter they’d been lacking and solidified the infield defense.
AL all-star
Vina was born and raised in Sacramento, Calif., where his parents settled after immigrating to the United States from Cuba. In 1989, when Vina was attending Arizona State, he toured Cuba with Team USA.
A left-handed batter with speed, Vina played for the Mariners (1993), Mets (1994) and Brewers. In five seasons with the Brewers (1995-99), Vina batted .286 and produced 559 hits in 528 games. His best season with them was 1998 when he was named a National League all-star and batted .311 with 198 hits and 101 runs scored.
After the 1998 season, the Brewers shopped Vina because he had “the highest trade value” on their roster, The Sporting News reported, and rookie Ronnie Belliard was available to replace him.
The Cardinals, seeking a replacement for departed free agent Delino DeShields at second base, became serious suitors for Vina in December 1998, according to The Sporting News, but couldn’t come up with a pitcher the Brewers wanted.
On May 9, 1999, Vina collided with Brewers teammate Jeromy Burnitz while pursuing a pop fly and injured his left knee. He returned to the lineup three weeks later, developed tendinitis in the knee and was shut down for the season after June 3.
High praise
Joe McEwing was the Cardinals’ second baseman in 1999 and batted .275, but the the club wanted a leadoff batter with a high on-base percentage and speed.
The Cardinals pursued a deal with the Dodgers for second baseman Eric Young, offering reliever Ricky Bottalico, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported, but when talks stalled they turned their attention to Vina. The Cardinals offered pitcher Garrett Stephenson, but the Brewers insisted on Acevedo and the deal was made.
“He’s a legitimate top of the lineup guy,” said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.
Vina said, “My plan is to get on base any way I can. This lineup is incredible … If I get on base, good things are going to happen.”
At spring training in 2000, Vina impressed Cardinals coach and former second baseman Jose Oquendo, who said, “He’s the best I’ve seen turning the double play, ever.”
Vina said, “Defense is a big part of my game. I don’t underestimate the momentum that can turn our way when you come up with a good defensive play or turn a double play.”
Vina also impressed Cardinals instructor Lou Brock, who cited Vina’s passion for wanting to improve his base stealing ability.
“I’ve learned more from Lou Brock about stealing bases in my first three weeks in spring training than I knew all my life,” Vina told Cardinals Magazine. “It’s incredible the little keys that can help you be that much better and help you steal more bases.”
After Vina hit .350 with a .426 on-base percentage in spring training exhibition games, general manager Walt Jocketty called him “the catalyst that we were hoping he’d be.”
Key contributor
On April 3, 2000, in the season opener against the Cubs at St. Louis, Vina had a successful Cardinals debut, producing two singles, a triple, scoring a run, driving in a run and turning a double play. Boxscore
Vina, who turned 31 two weeks into the season, batted .300 for the 2000 Cardinals, scored 81 runs, had an on-base percentage of .380 and led National League second basemen in fielding percentage.
He also was hit by pitches a league-leading 28 times in 2000. He achieved the total even though he was on the disabled list for two weeks in June because of a hamstring injury and sat out 14 September games because of a rib injury.
The Cardinals’ single-season record for most times hit by pitches is 31 by Steve Evans in 1910.
Vina had three more seasons of double-figure hit-by-pitch totals for the Cardinals _ 22 in 2001, 18 in 2002 and 11 in 2003.
According to The Sporting News, “Vina is the key to jump-starting the team’s offense … When Vina gets on, it makes it easier for No. 2 hitter (J.D.) Drew to hit the ball in the hole.”
Vina had his best Cardinals season in 2001 when he batted .303 with 191 hits and 95 runs scored.
He won Gold Glove awards for his defense in 2001 and 2002.
Vina played four seasons (2000-2003) with the Cardinals, generated 570 hits in 488 games and sparked them to three postseason appearances.
Ill-advised decision
After an injury-marred 2003 season, Vina became a free agent and signed with the Tigers. In December 2007, he admitted using Human Growth Hormone, a performance-enhancing drug banned by Major League Baseball, with the 2003 Cardinals in an attempt to heal more quickly from hamstring and knee ailments.
“I tried everything rehabbing,” Vina said. “I came to a point that I was desperate.
“Was it right? No. Obviously, it was wrong. I’m embarrassed by it. Bottom line, it was stupid. I’m embarrassed now, and it didn’t help, either.”
RetroSimba 
The Cardinals persistence payed off. We won this trade. The two minor league prospects we gave up never made it to the big leagues and Acevedo had a mediocre year with Milwaukee. Fernando was also a very good post season player. In the playoffs he hit. 333 and made only one error. And anyone with the courage to admit he made a mistake will always have my respect and admiration.
I miss the pesky, classic Cardinals leadoff hitters like Fernando Vina and David Eckstein.
Yes. “Just put the ball in play!”, instead of “strike three!”
Amen.
Vina was actually a National League All-Star with the Brewers. Their first season in the National League was 1998.
Good catch. Thank you. I have made the fix.