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The third degree with … Whitey Herzog

Sporting News, The, Nov 1, 2004 by Brendan Roberts

Whitey Herzog managed the Rangers, Angels, Royals and Cardinals in 2,409 games, winning 1,281 of them. Herzog, who turns 73 on November 9, was a master of small ball--a style of play that almost has disappeared since he last managed in 1990. TSN's Brendan Roberts talked with the White Rat last week.

TSN: Do you still get excited about the baseball playoffs?

WH: Actually, it's so much different now with that double-tier system. When I managed, it was much tougher to get to the playoffs. I don't like the setup now. They talk about Joe Torre having the Yanks in nine consecutive playoffs. Hell, in the old one-division system, you had to win like 154 games to get into the World Series, and winning the division used to be a big thing. Nowadays, you can't even remember who loses in the Division or Championship Series. But I watch a lot of playoff ball. I'll sit back and second-guess managers, or praise them, just like everyone else.

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TSN: How has the game changed since you last coached or managed?

WH: The game is out of balance because of the home run. The ERAs are bigger than your hat size. Baseball has had a history of those trends. It's a dead ball, then a live ball. But sheesh. The way it is now, all these home runs--when I managed in St. Louis, we'd have good teams that hit only 60-something homers all year. And there's no running today. Everybody is afraid to get runners thrown out because they're afraid the next guy will hit a home run. The ballparks are about the same size, basically, but the balls are flying out of 'em. But I still think there should be more running on ideal counts. Movement disrupts defenses. You just don't see managers be aggressive. Sit and wait. That's the strategy now.

TSN: What would you do with the offense Tony La Russa has?

WH: Exactly what he does. Sit back and let 'em play!

TSN: What do you miss about the game?

WH: I watch it, but I haven't missed it much. I enjoyed turning in the lineup card and competing. I enjoy the game, but I sit and watch a game and see where some of them balls are hit and think, "Holy moly." I went to a game with Stan Musial recently, and I told him three balls were hit in the center field bleachers in my 10 years of managing here (in Busch Stadium). There were three hit there in the first inning that day. Stan was saying all the records would be broken, but I told him we need to have B.S. and A.S. records--before supplements and after supplements. Something like that.

TSN: You are a legend in St. Louis. Other than your success, what about you or the city makes you so revered?

WH: Well, I'm a Midwestern guy. I'm candid and honest. I took a proud organization that was down in the dumps and made it a World Series champion and yearly contender. St. Louis is a blue-collar town. And those Cards teams, we were going to put on a show, play fundamentally well, have dirty uniforms ... and St. Louis fans love that type of baseball.

TSN: Rumor has it you'd listen to offers for coaching or managing again. Have Dick Vermeil and Jack McKeon inspired you?

WH: You got the wrong dope. Naw, if I were called and offered the right place and the right situation, I'd listen. But I'm not soliciting.

The third degree with … Whitey Herzog

Sporting News, The, Nov 1, 2004 by Brendan Roberts

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