On Monday morning, during the St. Louis Cardinals winter warm-up, Team President Bill DeWitt III appeared and made a special announcement: the newest candidates up for induction into the Cardinals Hall of Fame class of 2016.
The candidates that were announced were as follows: Chris Carpenter, Keith Hernandez, Jason Isringhausen, Mark McGwire, Matt Morris, Edgar Renteria, Scott Rolen, and Joe Torre.
“I’m sure any two of that group will be great representatives of the Cardinals and the Hall of Fame,” said DeWitt III.
As with previous inductions, the fans will be able to select two candidates up for induction, while a separate committee votes for a “veteran” inductee… one who hasn’t played for 40+ years. An example of a player eligible for the “veteran” committee is Pepper Martin.
Carpenter, Isringhausen, and Rolen are not only the three newest players added onto the ballot, but they also all were a part of the Cardinals 2006 World Series team, of which only Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright are still active from, as far as within the organization is concerned.
Playing in Major League Baseball for 15 seasons, Carpenter finished with a career record of 144-94, an ERA of 3.26, struck out 1697 batters, and won the 2005 Cy Young Award (as of 2016, the most recent Cardinal to do so). Rolen and Isringhausen were staples of the Cardinals in the 2000’s, showing exceptional skills, whether at third base or on the mound. Morris was a two-time All-Star pitcher and in 2001, led the National League in wins, with 22 victories.
Renteria was a two-time World Series champion, and 2010 World Series MVP, though neither with the Cardinals. But while a part of the organization from 1999-2004, he hit 71 homes runs, 451 RBI’s, totaled nearly 140 steals and 1,000 hits.
After a successful career with the Athletics, “Big Mac” hit 220 home runs and 473 RBI’s in his five years with St. Louis, most notably in his famous 1998 season in which he hit a then-record 70 home runs in the regular season.
Hernandez and Torre were both affiliated with the Cardinals during the 1970’s, and Hernandez actually shared the 1979 MVP with Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Torre also managed the Cardinals from 1990 to 1995, compiling a record of 351-354.
Whichever players that will be inducted will be placed among some of the greatest players in baseball history.
The ceremony will take place at Ballpark Village in August.
(Photo credit: USATSI)
