1977 St. Louis Cardinals season
Encyclopedia
The 1977 St. Louis Cardinals
season was the team's 96th season in St. Louis, Missouri
and its 86th season in the National League
. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East
, 18 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies
.
Vern Rapp
took over as the Cardinals' manager this year, after the twelve-year reign of their longtime manager Red Schoendienst
. On August 29, Cardinals left-fielder Lou Brock
broke the modern-day stolen base record, by stealing bases 892 and 893 in a game against the Padres
in San Diego.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
season was the team's 96th season in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
and its 86th season in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
, 18 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies
1977 Philadelphia Phillies season
The 1977 Philadelphia Phillies season was the 95th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their second consecutive National League East division title with a record of 101-61, five games over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies lost the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers, three...
.
Vern Rapp
Vern Rapp
Vernon Fred Rapp is a retired Major League Baseball manager and coach. A career minor league catcher and a successful skipper in the minors, Rapp had two brief tours of duty as a big league manager.-Minor League playing career:...
took over as the Cardinals' manager this year, after the twelve-year reign of their longtime manager Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
. On August 29, Cardinals left-fielder Lou Brock
Lou Brock
Louis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
broke the modern-day stolen base record, by stealing bases 892 and 893 in a game against the Padres
1977 San Diego Padres season
-Offseason:* October 22, 1976: Diego Seguí was purchased from the Padres by the Seattle Mariners.* November 5, 1976: Chuck Hartenstein was purchased from the Padres by the Toronto Blue Jays....
in San Diego.
Offseason
- October 20, 1976: Willie CrawfordWillie CrawfordWillie Murphy Crawford was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played with Los Angeles Dodgers , St. Louis Cardinals , Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics . Crawford was born in Los Angeles, California. He batted and threw left-handed...
, John CurtisJohn Curtis (baseball)John Duffield Curtis is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft out of Smithtown High School in Smithtown, New York, but did not sign, choosing instead to attend Clemson University...
and Vic HarrisVic Harris (second baseman)Victor Lanier Harris is a former Major League Baseball player. He played all or part of eight seasons in the majors between and...
were traded by the Cardinals to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for Mike Caldwell, Dave RaderDave Rader (baseball)David Martin Rader is a former professional baseball player. From through , he was a catcher in Major League Baseball, playing for the San Francisco Giants , St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago Cubs , Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox...
and John D'AcquistoJohn D'AcquistoJohn Francis D'Acquisto , is a former Major League Baseball player who pitched for six teams in his ten year career that spanned from to ....
. - November 6, 1976: Bill GreifBill GreifWilliam Briley Greif is a retired professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1971–76, for the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals.- Astros :...
, Ángel TorresAngel TorresÁngel Rafael Torres Ruiz , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in with the Cincinnati Reds. He batted and threw left-handed. Torres had a 0-0 record, with a 2.16 ERA, in five games, in his one year career. He was signed by the St...
and Sam MejíasSam MejíasSamuel Elías Mejías [may-hee'-ahs] is a former backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the St. Louis Cardinals , Montreal Expos , Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds . Listed at 6'0", 170 lb., Mejías batted and threw right-handed...
were traded by the Cardinals to the Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
for Pat Scanlon, Steve DunningSteve DunningSteven John Dunning is a former professional baseball player who played seven seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, California Angels, Montreal Expos, and Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball...
, and Tony ScottTony Scott (baseball)Anthony Scott is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Montreal Expos:Scott was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 71st round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft. After five seasons in their farm system, he received a September call-up to the Expos in...
. - November 6, 1976: Lee RichardLee RichardLee Edward "BeeBee" Richard is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors, between and , for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. He played primarily at shortstop, especially early in his career, but his defense was poor, and he later...
was released by the Cardinals. - November 21, 1977: Luis DeLeónLuis DeLeónLuis Antonio DeLeón Tricoche is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched all or part of seven seasons in the majors between and . He was the co-closer for the San Diego Padres in and , sharing the role with Gary Lucas.DeLeón pitched 206 games over the first six seasons of his career,...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cardinals. - December 6, 1976: Roger FreedRoger FreedRoger Vernon Freed was a Major League Baseball outfielder and pinch hitter. He played all or part of eight seasons between and for five different major league teams.-Orioles:...
was selected by the Cardinals from the Montreal ExposWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
in the rule 5 draftRule 5 draftThe Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. - January 11, 1977: Jesse OroscoJesse OroscoJesse Russell Orosco is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who holds the major league record for career pitching appearances. He pitched most notably for the New York Mets in the 1980s. He won a World Series in 1986 with the Mets and in 1988 with the Dodgers. He threw left-handed,...
was drafted by the Cardinals in the 7th round of the 1977 Major League Baseball Draft1977 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1977 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The White Sox raised some brows when they passed on right-handed pitcher Bill Gullickson, a native of nearby Orland Park, IL, and selected outfielder Harold Baines as the number one...
, but did not sign. - February 28, 1977: Mark Covert (minors) was traded by the Cardinals to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Buddy SchultzBuddy SchultzCharles Budd "Buddy" Schultz , was a Major League Baseball player who played pitcher from -. He played for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals....
. - March 24, 1977: Tom WalkerTom Walker (1970s pitcher)Robert Thomas Walker is a former professional baseball pitcher. Walker pitched all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1972 until 1977, for the Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and California Angels....
was released by the Cardinals. - March 28, 1977: Bill CaudillBill CaudillWilliam Holland Caudill is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. One of the wackier players to play the game, Caudill was also one of baseball's top closers from to . Caudill is perhaps most notable for being agent Scott Boras' first client.-Early years:Caudill was drafted by the St...
was traded by the Cardinals to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Joel YoungbloodJoel YoungbloodJoel Randolph Youngblood III is a former Major League Baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants from to . Youngblood was a versatile player who could play many different positions, as well as pinch hit...
. - March 30, 1977: Doug ClareyDoug ClareyDoug Clarey was a Major League Baseball infielder. He played one season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1976. He hit one home run in four at bats and finished his brief career with a 1.000 Slugging percentage...
was traded by the Cardinals to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for Benny AyalaBenny AyalaBenigno Ayala Felix is a former Major League Baseball player who had a 10-season career from to . He played outfield, first base, and designated hitter. He played for the New York Mets and St...
. - March 31, 1977: Ken RudolphKen RudolphKenneth Victor Rudolph , is a retired American professional baseball player. A catcher, he appeared in 328 Major League games played between – for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and Baltimore Orioles...
was purchased from the Cardinals by the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.
Opening Day starters
- Lou BrockLou BrockLouis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
- Héctor Cruz
- Pete FalconePete FalconePeter Frank "Pete" Falcone , is a left-handed former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1975–84.-High school and college:...
- Keith HernandezKeith HernandezKeith Barlow Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a baseball analyst working for the New York Mets, for whom he played from –, on SportsNet New York and WPIX television broadcasts...
- Don KessingerDon KessingerDonald Eulon Kessinger is a former American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop from to for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox...
- Bake McBrideBake McBrideArnold Ray "Bake" McBride , also nicknamed "Shake n' Bake" and "The Callaway Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder, known primarily as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies' teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s. He made his major league debut for the St...
- Ken ReitzKen ReitzKenneth John Reitz is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball. A right-handed hitter, Reitz played for the St...
- Ted SimmonsTed SimmonsTed Lyle Simmons is an American former professional baseball player and coach. A switch-hitter, Simmons was a catcher for most of his Major League Baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals , the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves...
- Garry TempletonGarry TempletonGarry Lewis Templeton, nicknamed "Jumpsteady", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991...
Notable transactions
- May 17, 1977: John D'AcquistoJohn D'AcquistoJohn Francis D'Acquisto , is a former Major League Baseball player who pitched for six teams in his ten year career that spanned from to ....
and Pat Scanlon were traded by the Cardinals to the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Butch MetzgerButch MetzgerClarence Edward "Butch" Metzger is a former Major League Baseball player. Metzger was a relief pitcher, specifically a closer...
. - June 7, 1977: Neil FialaNeil FialaNeil Stephen Fiala is a former Major League Baseball player. He played in five games in the majors in September , all as a pinch hitter. He pinch-hit three times for the St...
was drafted by the Cardinals in the 32nd round of the 1977 Major League Baseball Draft1977 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1977 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The White Sox raised some brows when they passed on right-handed pitcher Bill Gullickson, a native of nearby Orland Park, IL, and selected outfielder Harold Baines as the number one...
. - June 15, 1977: Bake McBrideBake McBrideArnold Ray "Bake" McBride , also nicknamed "Shake n' Bake" and "The Callaway Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder, known primarily as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies' teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s. He made his major league debut for the St...
and Steve WaterburySteve WaterburySteven Craig Waterbury is former Major League Baseball pitcher. Waterbury played for the St. Louis Cardinals in . He batted and threw right-handed.He was signed by the Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1971....
were traded by the Cardinals to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Tom UnderwoodTom UnderwoodThomas Gerald Underwood was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , St...
, Dane IorgDane IorgDane Charles Iorg is a retired Major League Baseball infielder and outfielder. He played for ten seasons for four teams, including eight seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the brother of former third basemen Garth Iorg; they played against each other in the 1985 American League...
, and Rick BosettiRick BosettiRichard Alan Bosetti is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder who played from to for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Oakland Athletics....
. - June 15, 1977: Joel YoungbloodJoel YoungbloodJoel Randolph Youngblood III is a former Major League Baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants from to . Youngblood was a versatile player who could play many different positions, as well as pinch hit...
was traded by the Cardinals to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for Mike PhillipsMike Phillips (baseball)Michael Dwaine Phillips , is a veteran of professional baseball who played shortstop, second base, and third base in the majors from 1973-1983. The first-round draft choice of the San Francisco Giants in 1969, he saw action for the Giants, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and...
. - August 20, 1977: Don KessingerDon KessingerDonald Eulon Kessinger is a former American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop from to for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox...
was traded by the Cardinals to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Steve Staniland (minors). - August 31, 1977: Clay CarrollClay CarrollClay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St...
was traded by the Cardinals to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for players to be named later. The White Sox completed the deal by sending Nyls NymanNyls NymanNyls Wallace Rex Nyman is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of four seasons with the Chicago White Sox from until ....
to the Cardinals on September 2, and sending Dave HamiltonDave Hamilton (baseball)David Edward Hamilton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who won three World Series championships as a member of the Oakland Athletics in the early 1970s.-Oakland A's:...
and Silvio MartínezSilvio MartínezSilvio Ramón Martínez Cabrera is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Martínez pitched all or part of five seasons in the majors, from until , for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.-Sources:...
to the Cardinals on November 28.
Roster
| 1977 St. Louis Cardinals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 150 | 516 | 164 | .318 | 21 | 95 | |
| 1B | 161 | 560 | 163 | .291 | 15 | 91 | |
| 3B | 157 | 587 | 153 | .261 | 17 | 79 | |
| SS | 153 | 621 | 200 | .322 | 8 | 79 | |
| LF | 141 | 489 | 133 | .272 | 2 | 46 | |
| CF | 95 | 292 | 85 | .291 | 3 | 41 | |
| RF | 118 | 339 | 80 | .236 | 6 | 42 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 134 | 32 | .239 | 0 | 7 | |
| 43 | 122 | 32 | .262 | 4 | 20 | |
| 66 | 114 | 30 | .263 | 1 | 16 | |
| 48 | 87 | 21 | .241 | 0 | 9 | |
| 49 | 83 | 33 | .398 | 5 | 21 | |
| 13 | 31 | 7 | .226 | 0 | 2 | |
| 25 | 27 | 5 | .185 | 0 | 1 | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 233 | 11 | 17 | 3.48 | 120 | |
| 26 | 149.2 | 8 | 8 | 4.51 | 60 | |
| 27 | 124 | 4 | 8 | 5.44 | 75 | |
| 11 | 39.1 | 2 | 6 | 4.58 | 6 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8.1 | 0 | 0 | 4.32 | 9 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2.50 | 34 | |
| 41 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 4.70 | 30 | |
| 40 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2.32 | 66 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15.43 | 1 |
Awards and honors
- Lou BrockLou BrockLouis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
, Lou Gehrig Award - Garry TempletonGarry TempletonGarry Lewis Templeton, nicknamed "Jumpsteady", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991...
, National League leader, tripleTriple (baseball)In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
s (19)