Here is a pocket schedule from the 1986 season. Note that season's theme of "Catch Us If You Can." The Cardinals were coming of a 1985 season in which they had won the National League Pennant, largely by running, running and running. They stole an amazing 314 bases (132 more than any other team in baseball that season). Jack Clark was the team's one "big bat," hitting 22 home runs. That figure accounted for more than 25% of the team's total.
The autographs on the schedule are from the following players:
- Clint Hurdle - 1986 was his only year with the Cardinals. He would later manage the 2007 Colorado Rockies to an improbable National League pennant.
- Bob Forsch - One of my favorites as a kid, he is the only Cardinal pitcher to throw two no-hitters. He was an all-around nice guy, seemingly never willing to say "no" to young autograph seekers.
- Andy Van Slyke - Just before the 1987 season, Van Slyke would be traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Tony Pena. He would help lead them to NL East crowns in 1991-1993, which were also their last three winning seasons. On a personal note, after he retired, Van Slyke and I actually attended the same church for a while.
- Tom Herr - Another Christian (note the "John 3:16" beneath his autograph), Herr accomplished the amazing feat of getting 110 RBIs in 1985 despite hitting only 8 home runs.
I get especially nostalgic when I look at the ticket prices on the schedule. Bleachers were $3, General Admission was $4, Reserved Seats were $7 and Box Seats $9.50. Every seat in the park was less than $10. Those were the days!
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