Whitey Herzog
| Birthdate | 11/9/1931 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | |
| Year of Induction | 2010 |
| Teams | Angels, Athletics, Cardinals, Orioles, Rangers, Royals, Tigers |
| Positions | Manager, Outfield |
A player, scout, general manager, coach, and farm system director, Whitey Herzog gained Hall of Fame recognition as a manager.
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Whitey Herzog played for four teams in eight MLB seasons
Whitey Herzog played for four teams in eight MLB seasons
Whitey Herzog was a 24-year old when he made his big league debut in 1956. The following year he appeared in the 1957 Topps set. Shown here is his rookie card autographed by the White Rat.
Overall Herzog played eight seasons from 1956-1963 suiting up for the Senators, Athletics, Orioles, and Tigers. Herzog played in 634 games, ending his MLB career with 414 hits, 172 RBI, and a .257 average.
Herzog's best seasons came from 1959-1962 with Kansas City and Baltimore
Herzog's best seasons came from 1959-1962 with Kansas City and Baltimore
Though he was a Hall of Fame manager, Whitey Herzog had a nondescript playing career. He posted a positive WAR in half of his eight big league seasons. Each of those seasons came from 1959-1962 when his WAR totals fluctuated between 1.4 and 1.8.
His highest WAR total came in 1959 with the Kansas City Athletics. That season he hit .293 with a .446 on-base percentage. In 1961 Herzog played for the Baltimore Orioles. That year he saw action in 113 games and hit .291.
A career .257 hitter, Herzog hit .268 in two seasons in KC and .280 in a pair of years in Baltimore.
Shown here is Herzog’s 1960 Topps card with his signature front and center on the card. An outfielder, pinch hitter, and first baseman, Herzog had 1,884 career plate appearances.
Herzog guided the Royals to 3 straight division championships from 1976-1978
Herzog guided the Royals to 3 straight division championships from 1976-1978
Whitey Herzog got his start as a big league manager in with the 1973 Texas Rangers. In 1974 he started the season as the Angels third-base coach. When Bobby Winkles was fired in mid-season, Herzog was named interim manager for 8 games. Dick Williams picked up from there for the remainder of the year.
In 1975 the Royals tabbed Herzog as a midseason replacement after manager Jack McKeon went 50-46. Kansas City responded by going 41 of their remaining 67 games under Herzog.
Herzog’s first full season as a manager came in 1976 with the Royals. He enjoyed immediate success. He led the team to three straight American League Western Division titles. Over those three seasons the Royals won 90, 102, and 92 regular season games.
Herzog couldn’t quite break through with the Royals and bring a World Series title to Kansas City.
Shown here is the 1978 Topps Herzog card autographed by the Hall of Fame manager.
Whitey Herzog's St. Louis teams won three pennants and a World Series
Whitey Herzog's St. Louis teams won three pennants and a World Series
Whitey Herzog’s first season as Cardinal manager came in 1980. The third of four St. Louis skippers that season, Herzog piloted the team to a 38-35 mark before moving to the front office as GM. He was replaced by Red Schoendienst for the final 37 games of the year.
Herzog returned to the dugout in ’81 in the duel role of manager and GM. He helmed St. Louis until 1990. Along the way Herzog helped take them to three National League Championships and the 1982 World Series title.
In his 11 seasons in St. Louis the Cardinals posted a 882-728 record good for a .540 winning percentage.
Herzog was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
