Red Schoendienst, Cardinals great, at 95
ST. LOUIS — If there was ever anyone who lived his life The Cardinal Way, it was Red Schoendienst.
Right down to his ruby name. The team color, of course.
Mr. Schoendienst, the Hall of Fame second baseman who managed St. Louis to two pennants and a World Series championship in the 1960s, died Wednesday. He was 95.
The Cardinals announced Mr. Schoendienst’s death before the third inning of their game against the Miami Marlins. A photo was shown on the video board with “1923-2018” written below. Fans gave a standing ovation, while players stood and applauded.
“Red Schoendienst was one of the most beloved figures in the rich history of the St. Louis Cardinals, the franchise he served for 67 years,” Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “He was a wonderful ambassador for our game.”
Mr. Schoendienst wore the Cardinals uniform for 45 seasons as a player, coach and manager, and remained involved with the team in later years as a special assistant to general manager Walt Jocketty. Into his 80s, Mr. Schoendienst hit fungos to fielders in pregame practice.
In the same statement, Mr. Schoendienst’s family said he died surrounded by loved ones.
A 10-time All-Star with the Cardinals, Giants and Braves, Mr. Schoendienst was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1989 by the Veterans Committee. His best season was 1953 when he batted .342, second in the NL, with 15 home runs and 79 RBIs. He led the league with 200 hits in 1957. On defense, he tied or topped the league in fielding seven times.
He broke in with the Cardinals in 1945, filling in while Hall of Fame left fielder Stan Musial was serving in the U.S. Army. Mr. Schoendienst led the National League with 26 stolen bases that year, then moved to third base and shortstop before settling at second. He and Musial were roommates on the road for several years.
The switch-hitter batted .300 seven times, led the National League with 43 doubles in 1950 and appeared in three World Series, two with the Milwaukee Braves.
As manager, Mr. Schoendienst’s Cards beat the Red Sox in a sevengame World Series in 1967.