Mike Gallego fielded with reliable consistency, but he had trouble hitting and staying healthy during his time with the Cardinals.
On Jan. 11, 1996, the Cardinals signed Gallego, a free agent, for one year at $300,000.
The deal reunited Gallego with Tony La Russa, the manager who was in his first season with the Cardinals. Gallego played for La Russa with the Athletics and they were part of three American League championship teams.
Like Gallego, La Russa had been an infielder who fielded better than he hit. Gallego became such a La Russa favorite that Cardinals coach Rene Lachemann dubbed him “Michael La Russa,” according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Versatile and valuable
Gallego was born and raised in the Los Angeles area and played college baseball at UCLA. The Athletics selected him in the second round of the 1981 amateur draft. He played multiple infield spots, but considered second base to be his natural position.
While in the minors in 1983, Gallego learned he had testicular cancer. He had surgery and returned to the lineup two months later.
Gallego reached the majors with the Athletics in 1985. In 1990, he was their Opening Day second baseman. When Walt Weiss got hurt in the playoffs, Gallego was the shortstop in the World Series against the Reds.
“Most guys think about getting the game-winning hit,” Gallego said. “For me, I’ve always gotten a bigger thrill out of a great defensive play.” Video
Granted free agency in October 1991, Gallego signed with the Yankees. He had a stellar season in 1993, hitting .283 with 20 doubles as a utility player.
A free agent after the strike-shortened 1994 season, Gallego rejoined La Russa and the Athletics. He was the Opening Day second baseman in 1995, but severely injured his left heel in May and spent nearly three months on the disabled list.
Familiar face
After the 1995 season, the Cardinals pursued a pair of free agents, Craig Biggio and Tony Phillips, for the second base job, but Biggio stayed with the Astros and Phillips went to the White Sox.
That left injury-prone Geronimo Pena as the incumbent at second base.
The Cardinals wanted an experienced backup to Pena. Gallego, 35, was sought by the Rangers, but went with the Cardinals, in large part, because of La Russa.
“I love him a lot,” La Russa told the Post-Dispatch.
General manager Walt Jocketty said, “He has a flair about him, whether he’s diving or turning the double play.”
The Cardinals’ plans went awry at spring training. Pena suffered a stress fracture of the right knee and ended up in the minors.
Gallego injured his right hamstring when he dived for a ball. He returned later in spring training, but tore the same hamstring running the bases.
Another potential option, Jose Oquendo, no longer was effective. He was released and chose to retire. That left David Bell, entering his second season in the majors, as the Cardinals’ second baseman.
Wanting more, the Cardinals signed Luis Alicea, waived by the Red Sox, to play second. Alicea had been with the Cardinals for five seasons before being traded.
Getting a chance
Gallego went to Scottsdale, Ariz., for two months to heal his hamstring. In the last week of May, he showed up in St. Louis to field grounders and take swings. The Cardinals sent him to their farm club in St. Petersburg, Fla., to test his leg in minor-league games.
“Gallego has a lot to show me,” La Russa said. “It’s going to be tricky. The club has a good feeling and you don’t like to mess with the chemistry.”
Alicea made the decision easier for La Russa. On July 11, in a game against the Cubs, Alicea made his 19th error of the season and committed a baserunning mistake. Boxscore
“I’ve played poorly defensively,” Alicea said. “To win, you’ve got to have good defense. I’ve never played so bad before.”
The next day, Gallego made his Cardinals debut, getting the start at second base versus the Cubs. Boxscore
“There is an opportunity for Gallego to earn a lot of playing time,” La Russa said. “If we keep him healthy, you’ll see some second base play.”
Wizard at second
Gallego was as good as gold with his glove. After Gallego made two diving stops on July 17 against the Reds, La Russa told the Post-Dispatch, “I’m 100 percent sincere when I say this but he plays second base like Ozzie Smith plays short.” Boxscore
Gallego said, “Being compared to Ozzie Smith obviously is a great compliment, but I could never put myself in his league.”
Gallego made no errors in his first 163 fielding chances for the Cardinals. The problem was his hitting. He batted .189 in July and .208 in August. Alicea returned to the starting lineup in late August and was the primary second baseman in September when the Cardinals clinched a division title.
In the 1996 regular season, Gallego played 359.2 innings at second base and made three errors. Alicea played 954 innings at second base and committed a league-high 24 errors. Gallego hit .210 for the season. Alicea hit .258.
In Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Braves, Alicea hyperextended an elbow in a collision with Chipper Jones, La Russa said. Gallego started five of the six remaining games. He made one error and hit .143.
End of the line
After the 1996 postseason, the Cardinals went shopping for an upgrade at second base. They pursued Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs and Jeff King of the Pirates before landing Delino DeShields, a free agent who left the Dodgers.
Alicea, a free agent, signed with the Angels. Gallego was in limbo. The Cardinals didn’t offer him salary arbitration, meaning he was ineligible to play for them until May 1, 1997.
Shortly before the start of spring training, Gallego signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals and was invited to camp. “My main objective was to prove to them and myself that I could still play,” Gallego said.
When the 1997 regular season began, Gallego stayed in extended spring training, then joined the Louisville farm club. He got called up to the Cardinals in May to fill a utility role.
Gallego fielded well but hit .163.
In July 1997, the Cardinals gave Gallego the chance to return to Louisville, but he declined and was released.
“We had a really good run together,” La Russa said. “We had a lot more good times than tough ones.”
RetroSimba 
The 1996 Cardinals team had a number of players who, had either previously played for TLR. Or, had played against him in an ALCS or WS. When we look back at those Oakland A’s teams, we probably think about the power hitting or pitching. And yet, those teams were very solid defensively. In 1988 they had the 3rd best fielding percentage. In 1990 they had the best. Mike Gallego was a big part of that.
Yep. When Mike Gallego was in the lineup, that 1996 Cardinals club had an impressive “up the middle” defense with Tom Pagnozzi at catcher, Gallego at second, Royce Clayton at shortstop and Ray Lankford in center.
“I’m 100 percent sincere when I say this but he plays second base like Ozzie Smith plays short.”
Tony, Roberto Alomar would like a word with you.
Hah! That’s a good one.
Tony meant he was 100 percent sincere in his hyperbole……