(WatchDogReport.org) – Legendary Major League Baseball manager Whitey Herzog died at age 92 on April 16th from heart issues at his house in St. Louis, Missouri. In a statement, his family said that three days before his death, he had to be taken to a hospital as he got worse from the heart complications he had been struggling with over the last few years. The family also explained that he died surrounded by his loved ones.
The news of his death came as a surprise to many, as he attended the Busch Stadium for the St. Louis Cardinals’ opening game on April 4th. The chair for the Hall of Fame’s board of directors, James Forbes, said in a letter that Herzog will never be forgotten. Forbes called him a legendary player and manager who always dedicated his life to a sport he loved more than anything else. He added that Herzog was an extraordinary leader who always managed to bring the best out of every single baseball player he trained.
Herzog’s career as a player and manager was extraordinary. As an outfielder, he was known for his speed and defensive skills, playing with numerous teams, including the Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Athletics, and the Washington Senators. However, he reached legendary status during his managerial career at the California Angels, the Texas Rangers, the Kansas City Royals, and especially the St. Louis Cardinals.
With the so-called “Birdinals,” Herzog reached the World Series three times, leading the team to victory in 1982 by emphasizing a solid defense and aggressive baserunning to push rivals constantly. The strategy earned him the nickname of “White Rat,” which was eventually the name he used for his autobiography.
Experts believe that his impact on baseball was so profound that his influence can be seen in the way many managers train and execute their strategies on the field today. Herzog was inducted into the MLB’s Hall of Fame in 2010.
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