Whitey Herzog was a deserving candidate for election into the Hall of Fame today. Many don’t realize that Herzog had an eight year career as an outfielder. His best season came in 1961 with the Orioles as he batted .291 with 5 homers and 35 RBI. Of course, the “White Rat” as affectionately referred to by Mets fans, was honored because of his career as a front office executive and field manager, specifically with the St. Louis Cardinals. There is a New York connection here as Herzog started his career with the Mets first as a coach, then six years as head of their player development. In 1973 he took over the helm of the Texas Rangers. He would go on to success with Kansas City and St. Louis winning six divisions, three pennants, and a World Series in 1982. He believed in a style of baseball built on speed, defense, and a strong bullpen. Combing through the archives many believe letting Whitey Herzog leave the organization was one of the biggest failings of then team president M. Donald Grant.

Some point to the trade of Tom Seaver as when the Mets franchise went bad, but the decision to hire Yogi Berra, instead of Whitey Herzog, after Gil Hodges death in 1972 might have been worse. Herzog was the man responsible for the development of the Mets young talent and their ascent from the NL cellar. Under his direction they went from a laughingstock to one of the best pitching staffs in the history of the game. Some believe he was against the deals for Rusty Staub and Nolan Ryan. Even though Staub was an integral part of the 73’ pennant winning team, both Ken Singleton and Nolan Ryan would have been more helpful to the seventies Mets than three and a half seasons of Staub and a washed up Jim Fregosi. At the very least he would have been a better tactical manager than Berra, which could have been the difference against Oakland in the 73’ World Series.

The Mets have never had a consistent philosophy throughout their history. Herzog was able to develop his own brand of baseball in St. Louis and, even with an inferior team, win more pennants than Davey Johnson’s mighty Mets. While the Mets partied and enjoyed the spoils of winning in New York, Herzog found ways to neutralize their talent by acquiring the right players and putting them in positions to succeed. Imagine what he could have done with Doc, Darryl, Kid, and the rest? Maybe Keith Hernandez wouldn’t be part of it, but I am sure he would have found an acceptable replacement.

Herzog would win over 1,200 games in his 18 year career. Not many individuals are successful as a coach, manager, scout, and executive. Herzog seemed to succeed at it all and is a deserving candidate for the Hall. It’s a shame he is more remembered as a Mets nemesis than for much of the good he did while a member of their front office. It was probably better for his career that he went on to greener pastures, but it does make you think what could have been if he stuck around. Maybe today we would be celebrating the greatest manager in Mets history who was responsible for a New York Mets dynasty. You just never know.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

Mike Silva

View all posts by Mike Silva
Mikes website

Tags: Gil Hodges, Jim Fregosi, Kansas City Royals, Ken Singleton, M. Donald Grant, New York Mets, Nolan Ryan, Rusty Staub, St Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Whitey Herzog, Yogi Berra