RetroSimba

After leading American League catchers in home runs in 1966, Johnny Romano was a backup to Tim McCarver for the 1967 champion Cardinals.

On Dec. 14, 1966, the Cardinals traded pitcher Don Dennis and outfielder Walt Williams to the White Sox for Romano and pitcher Leland White.

Romano spent the entire 1967 season with the Cardinals, who won the National League pennant and World Series title, but he seldom played.

His most important contribution to the Cardinals occurred off the field: It was Romano who provided the tip that enabled Lou Brock, the Cardinals’ catalyst, to end a slump.

Catcher with clout

Romano debuted in the big leagues with the 1958 White Sox. He hit 15 or more home runs in six of seven seasons from 1960-66 with the Indians and White Sox. An American League all-star in 1961 and 1962, Romano achieved career highs in home runs (25) and RBI (81) with the 1962 Indians.

In 1966, Romano produced six home runs and 11 RBI during an eight-game White Sox winning streak from Aug. 3-12.

Asked by The Sporting News to explain his hot hitting, Romano said, “When you play every day, you feel more comfortable at the plate. Timing and confidence are the answers to batting success and you can’t have it if you don’t play.”

A right-handed batter, Romano, 32, finished the 1966 season with 15 home runs and a slugging percentage of .404. He also ranked third among American League catchers in fielding percentage at .993.

The White Sox made him available because they were grooming Duane Josephson, 24, to become their catcher. Romano also clashed with White Sox manager Eddie Stanky, who wanted him to hit behind the runner instead of swinging for the fences.

A proposed trade of Romano to the Red Sox was discussed, but the talks ended when the White Sox sought outfielder Carl Yastrzemski, The Sporting News reported.

New role

The Cardinals wanted a backup catcher who could reduce the workload of McCarver and generate offense against left-handed pitching.

McCarver, who caught in 148 games, had 19 doubles, 13 triples and 12 home runs for the 1966 Cardinals, but his batting average against left-handers (.238) was 50 points lower than against right-handers (.288). His backup, Pat Corrales, batted .181 overall and hit no home runs.

The Cardinals projected Romano as the answer to their need.

“Romano likes to hit against left-handers (.255 in 1966) and he will give McCarver a chance to rest once in a while,” Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst said.

Said Cardinals general manager Bob Howsam: “Romano should give us some right-handed power.”

Bob Broeg, in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, concluded “the Cardinals appeared to help themselves … at no sacrifice” when they acquired Romano.

The Sporting News, however, noted Romano “understandably sounded upset when informed that he would be a No. 2 catcher.”

Tough task

At spring training in 1967, the combination of McCarver and Romano received praise.

Coach Joe Schultz said Cardinals catchers “could be the best in the league, offensively and defensively.”

Asked to rank the catching staffs in the National League, Astros manager Grady Hatton said, “I’d have to rate McCarver and Romano as No. 1.”

In its April 1, 1967, edition, The Sporting News again cautioned “Romano isn’t overly delighted with his second-fiddle rating,” but added, “It’s inconceivable that the sturdy right-handed swinger still doesn’t have some thunder left in his big bat.”

When the 1967 season got under way, Romano struggled to adapt to being a reserve. He produced two hits in his first 25 at-bats. “It’s tough when you don’t get to play often,” Romano said.

By June, Dave Ricketts took over as the primary backup catcher and Romano spent most of his time warming up pitchers in the bullpen.

Batting coach

In midseason, the Pirates offered to trade outfielder Manny Mota, catcher Jim Pagliaroni and pitcher Al McBean to the Cardinals for outfielder Curt Flood, pitcher Hal Woodeshick and Romano, but the Cardinals declined, The Sporting News reported.

In July, Brock, the Cardinals’ leadoff batter, went into a hitting funk. As the slump continued, Brock became more rigid at the plate and Romano detected the flaw. “I noticed Lou was locking his elbows before he swung and he was fouling off a lot of good pitches to left field,” Romano said. “I remind Lou every game about locking his elbows.”

Brock “applied Romano’s tip and went on a long-awaited surge,” The Sporting News reported. “Starting July 24, he went on a 24-for-56 binge, a .429 clip, and he hit safely in 13 straight games through Aug. 6.”

With Brock igniting the offense _ he generated 113 runs, 206 hits and 52 stolen bases _ the Cardinals cruised to a championship.

Romano, who batted .121 (7-for-58) with no home runs and two RBI for the 1967 Cardinals, was left off their World Series roster, but he was voted a full World Series share of $8,314.81, according to The Sporting News.

On Oct. 20, 1967, the Cardinals released Romano and he retired.

(Updated Sept. 12, 2025)

Johnny Mize, the franchise’s all-time best left-handed power hitter, practically was given away by the Cardinals after he ran afoul of management.

On Dec. 11, 1941, the Cardinals traded Mize, a first baseman, to the Giants for pitcher Bill Lohrman, catcher Ken O’Dea, first baseman Johnny McCarthy and $50,000.

Though the Cardinals didn’t receive fair value for Mize _ McCarthy never played for the Cardinals, Lohrman earned one win for them and O’Dea primarily was a backup _ the deal didn’t hurt them. Buoyed by the emergence of their all-time best player, outfielder Stan Musial, the Cardinals won three consecutive National League pennants and two World Series titles from 1942-44. Meanwhile, Mize missed three prime seasons (1943-45) while serving in the Navy during World War II.

Still, trading a player who set the franchise standard for slugging by a left-handed batter and who would earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame remains one of the most lopsided and controversial in Cardinals lore.

Pace setter

In six years (1936-41) with the Cardinals, Mize produced a .336 batting average and a .419 on-base percentage, but what made him extra special was his power.

Mize remains the Cardinals career leader for:

_ Highest career slugging percentage (.600) by a left-handed batter. Among Cardinals, only right-handed batters Mark McGwire (.683) and Albert Pujols (.617) are ahead of him.

_ Most home runs (43) in a season by a left-handed batter. Only McGwire (70 in 1998 and 65 in 1999) and Pujols (49 in 2006, 47 in 2009 and 46 in 2004) hit more than 43 as Cardinals.

With the Cardinals, Mize also won a NL batting title (.349 in 1939), a NL RBI title (137 in 1940), two NL home run titles (28 in 1939 and 43 in 1940) and three times led the NL in slugging percentage, total bases and extra-base hits.

In the book “Few and Chosen,” seven-time National League home run champion Ralph Kiner said, “The hitter Mize most reminded me of is Stan Musial. I think of him and Musial alike, great (batting) average hitters who used the whole field.”

Bad vibes

After the 1940 season, Mize got crossways with club owner Sam Breadon and general manager Branch Rickey when he held out in a failed effort for a substantial increase to his annual salary of $16,000.

“When you hold out a couple of times against the Cardinals, you know you’re finished with the organization,” Mize told the St. Louis Star-Times. “I sensed the change in attitude toward me during the (1941) season. I was pretty certain I wouldn’t be with the club in 1942.”

Also, with the Cardinals battling the Dodgers in the pennant stretch, Mize was out of the lineup for the final 10 games of the 1941 season because of an arm injury. During his recovery, Mize watched Cardinals games from the grandstand instead of from the dugout. That disappointed Cardinals manager Billy Southworth, who wanted Mize in uniform and on the bench in case needed as a pinch-hitter, according to The Sporting News.

Though Mize still was producing at a high level _ he hit .317 with 39 doubles, 16 home runs and 100 RBI in 126 games for the 1941 Cardinals _ and, at 28, just entering his prime, the Cardinals made it known he was available.

The Cardinals were confident Johnny Hopp or Ray Sanders, both 25, could take over for Mize at first base. Hopp hit .270 for the 1941 Cardinals. Sanders had 40 doubles and 120 RBI for the Cardinals’ Columbus (Ohio) farm team in 1941.

Double dealing

The Dodgers, who won the 1941 pennant and finished 2.5 games ahead of the Cardinals, appeared poised to acquire Mize at the baseball winter meetings.

What the Cardinals wanted most for Mize was cash and a catcher.

Dodgers executive Larry MacPhail offered to deal first baseman Dolph Camilli and catcher Herman Franks for Mize, with the understanding the Cardinals would send Camilli to the Braves for cash, The Sporting News reported.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MacPhail “thought he had the Mize situation well in hand.”

However, as the winter meetings neared an end, a hitch developed in the proposed deal and talks stalled. Breadon told Rickey “to waste no further time dickering and to take any fair offer for (Mize),” according to the Post-Dispatch.

The Giants had been trying to get the Cardinals to trade Hopp to them, The Sporting News reported. When Rickey dangled Mize and the Giants agreed to include $50,000, the deal was done.

“Larry MacPhail probably was the most surprised person … when it was announced that Mize had been traded to the Giants,” wrote the Post-Dispatch.

Young and affordable

In response to criticism of the trade, Breadon told the Star-Times, “We haven’t weakened our club at all.”

“It has always been our policy to move up young men and we feel that either Hopp or Sanders will do a fine job,” Breadon said.

Noting that the Mize deal followed the 1930s trades of two other hard-hitting St. Louis first basemen, Jim Bottomley and Rip Collins, the Post-Dispatch opined, “Mize was disposed of by the Cardinals in accordance with their policy of getting rid of veterans when young and promising replacements are available.”

Mize batted .305 with 26 home runs and 110 RBI for the 1942 Giants, who finished at 85-67 and 20 games behind the champion Cardinals (106-48).

Though neither Hopp (.258 batting average, three homers, 37 RBI) nor Sanders (.252, five homers, 39 RBI) produced exceptional numbers, the 1942 Cardinals were boosted by superb pitching and the excellence of Musial (.315 batting average, 32 doubles, 10 triples, 10 homers) in his first full season with the club.

(Updated Sept. 15, 2025)

Weakened by injuries that stripped him of his power and reduced his mobility, Roger Maris appeared unwanted and was considering retiring after the 1966 season, five years after he hit 61 home runs for the Yankees and broke Babe Ruth’s major-league record. Unexpectedly, the Cardinals took a chance on him.

On Dec. 8, 1966, in a deal made by Bob Howsam and sealed by Stan Musial, Maris was sent to the Cardinals for third baseman Charlie Smith.

Though Maris was a marquee name, he no longer was a marquee player. His diminished skills, along with a reputation for surliness, caused some to wonder why the Cardinals wanted him.

Damn Yankees

In 1965, Maris, who’d broken the hamate bone in his right hand, hit .239 with eight home runs in 46 games. The hand still was weak when he returned in 1966. Then he injured his left knee in a collision at home plate with Tigers catcher Bill Freehan. Maris hit .233 with 13 home runs in 119 games for the 1966 Yankees.

Unhappy in New York and embarrassed by his declining performance, Maris planned to assess his future during the off-season and make a decision about whether to continue playing.

At 32, Maris was “almost positive” he would retire, according to the book “Roger Maris: Baseball’s Reluctant Hero.”

In November 1966, Yankees general manager Lee MacPhail called Maris and asked about his plans. Maris said he wanted to wait until spring training to declare his intentions, then added, “If you’re going to trade me, tell me now and I’ll send in my retirement papers to you right away.”

MacPhail told Maris the Yankees didn’t intend to trade him.

Let’s make a deal

A month later, at the baseball winter meetings, Howsam, the Cardinals’ general manager, was having lunch when he was approached by Yankees manager Ralph Houk, who had managed the Denver Bears in the 1950s when Howsam was the minor-league club’s top executive.

“I started to kid Ralph and said, ‘Hey, when are we going to make a trade?’ ” Howsam told Neal Russo of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Houk then said, ‘Would you be interested in Maris?’ I told him that I’d have to think it over. When I got on the plane heading back to St. Louis, I figured we might be able to use Maris.”

In St. Louis, Howsam met with Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst and asked him whether he’d like to have Maris on the club. Replied Red: “Who wouldn’t?”

Mike Shannon, the Cardinals’ right fielder, had worked during the off-season on learning to play third base. Howsam and Schoendienst were certain Shannon could make the move to third, opening right field for Maris.

In his book, “Season of Glory,” Houk said, “After the 1966 season, (Maris) told me he wouldn’t come back (to the Yankees). He was going to quit baseball. When Roger left the Yankees, he was pissed off at the world. Then we made the deal with St. Louis.”

Healthy outlook

Maris learned of the trade from a news photographer who showed up at the Maris house in Independence, Mo., to get reaction shots.

Contacted by the Post-Dispatch, Maris said, “I wouldn’t say I’m overjoyed about the trade.”

In an article for the Post-Dispatch, Joe McGuff, a Kansas City journalist who knew Maris well, explained, “Maris is concerned about his physical condition and he doesn’t want to play if he feels he can’t give the Cardinals a good effort … At this stage, pride is more important to Maris than money. It would mean a great deal to Maris to bow out with a big year.”

McGuff added: “If Maris decides to play for the Cardinals, he will be a definite asset. If he is sound physically, he could bring them a pennant.”

Johnny Keane, who had managed the 1964 Cardinals to a World Series championship before becoming Maris’ manager with the 1965-66 Yankees, told Post-Dispatch sports editor Bob Broeg, “If Roger is interested, if he’ll be aroused by this challenge, he could do a big job for the Cardinals.”

Said Schoendienst: “Maris is a real threat. He’ll help in more ways than one. He’s a good outfielder and has good judgment on the bases.”

The reaction in New York, though, was that Maris was through.

In his syndicated column, Red Smith wrote of Maris, “More surprising than yesterday’s deal and the modest price accepted was the fact that the Yankees found a club willing to accept their damaged goods. There was no secret about the guy’s being marked disposable … When Lee MacPhail dropped his name into conversations at the recent winter meetings, people walked away.”

Smith concluded, “He could have owned New York. Now he’s gone and won’t be missed. He was a demigod. Now he is a line in the record book, with an asterisk.”

Cardinal Way

Soon after the trade, Howsam left the Cardinals to join the Reds. Musial, a team vice president, replaced Howsam. In one of his first moves as general manager, Musial invited Maris and his wife Pat to St. Louis for lunch with he and his wife Lil.

When Maris returned home, he received in the mail from Musial a 1967 contract for $75,000, an increase from what the Yankees had paid him.

Maris was in no rush to commit and Musial didn’t pressure him. Impressed, Maris told Musial in early February he’d report to the Cardinals.

At spring training, Maris gained the trust of Cardinals players by working hard and selflessly on the field and interacting happily and humbly off the field. “He meshed well with his new teammates, joining them in barbecues and chatting and joking often with them at the club’s motel,” Neal Russo reported.

In the book “Few and Chosen,” Cardinals catcher Tim McCarver said, “I will admit that when he came to us, most of the players were suspicious and curious. Were we wrong! Roger was a terrific teammate … He was a good guy with a sense of humor, and an outstanding all-around ballplayer.”

With defense, hustle, smart baserunning and solid fundamentals, Maris’ value to the Cardinals transcended statistics. They won two National League pennants and a World Series title in his two seasons with the club. McCarver described him as “the missing piece to the puzzle.”

Maris produced 18 doubles, seven triples, nine home runs, 55 RBI and hit .261 in 125 games in 1967. In the World Series against the Red Sox, Maris hit .385 with a home run and seven RBI.

Maris played in 100 games in 1968 and had 18 doubles, five home runs, 45 RBI and hit .255.