Dorrel Norman Elvert “Whitey” Herzog was born on November 9, 1931 in New Athens, Illinois. As a left-handed outfielder, he was originally signed by the New York Yankees, but was traded to the Washington Senators in 1956 and went on to make his major league debut with the Senators in April of that year. As a player, Herzog played for the Senators (1956-1958), the Kansas City Athletics (1958-1960), the Baltimore Orioles (1961-1962), and the Detroit Tigers (1963).
After a couple of years with the Athletics as a scout and a coach, Herzog joined the New York Mets, where he went on to become the director of player development. He left the Mets at the end of the 1972 season, thus embarking on his managerial career. Herzog served as manager for the Texas Rangers (1973), the California Angels (1974), the Kansas City Royals (1975-1979), and the St. Louis Cardinals (1980-1990). Over the course of his career as a manager, Herzog led six division winners, three pennant winners, and one World Series winner (the 1982 Cardinals) while compiling a 1,281–1,125 (.532) career record.
Herzog was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans’ Committee on December 7, 2009. Following his induction, the Cardinals retired the jersey number 24, which he wore during his managerial tenure with the club. Whitey Herzog died on Monday, April 15, 2024 at the age of 92.
Rest in peace.
