Bing Devine
| Birthdate | 03/01/1916 |
| Death Date | 01/27/2007 |
| Debut Year | |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Cardinals, Mets |
| Position | Executive |
Bing Devine was a major architect of four National League champions and three World Series champions in the six years between 1964 and 1969.
In the collection:
Bing Devine letter signed one month into first GM job
Bing Devine letter signed one month into first GM job
Vaughan “Bing” Devine became General Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in November, 1957 and proceeded to construct a championship caliber roster. The Cards won it all shortly after Devine was fired in August, 1964. The 1968 championship core was predominantly Devine’s men as well. In the collection is this letter dated one month after Devine took charge of the Cardinals. He writes to Phillies GM Roy Hamey thanking Hamey for congratulating Devine on the new position. Written on St. Louis letterhead, the letter features a postscript in Devine’s hand below his signature. “PS Although I expressed appreciation personally, I still wanted to make it official.”
Devine was later the New York Mets President and General Manager in 1966 and 1967 helping put together the Miracle Mets championship team of 1969.
Bing Devine signs off on trade of former MVP Cepeda for future MVP Joe Torre
Bing Devine signs off on trade of former MVP Cepeda for future MVP Joe Torre
One of Bing Devine’s greatest trades was the acquisition of future MVP Joe Torre for the aging former MVP Orlando Cepeda. In the collection is the document formalizing this trade. Dated on St. Patrick’s Day 1969, the agreement is signed “Vaughan Devine” at the bottom by the St. Louis General Manager. Trades involving Hall of Famers are uncommon, especially in a one-for-one deal.
Devine writes of recognizing St. Louis trainer Bob Bauman
Devine writes of recognizing St. Louis trainer Bob Bauman
Bob Bauman was the athletic trainer for the St. Louis Browns from 1938-1954 before serving in the same position for the Cardinals from 1954-1984. Along the way he was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame and the Greater St. Louis Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1967 and St. Louis University Hall of Fame in 1975. In this letter dated September 16, 1970, Bing Devine writes about honoring Bauman. Devine has signed this letter neatly and boldly at the bottom.
