Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Aged 1964 Cardinals' scorecard a keepsake

Bill Bishop's mom gave away his vast baseball card collection when he was in college many moons ago.
What she kept, though, was equally priceless.
It was his program and scorecard from the Oct. 4, 1964 St. Louis Cardinals 11-5 victory over the hapless New York Mets to clinch the National League pennant and vault the Redbirds into the World Series where they beat the New York Yankees in seven games.
Bishop was 16 when he went to that game and filled out the scorecard in ink.
It's brown with age and frayed around the edges, but it is a precious keepsake.
Suitable for framing, indeed.
The Cards' lineup contains names that are among baseball's royalty.
Centerfielder Curt Flood.
Leftfielder Lou Brock.
First baseman Bill White.
Third baseman Ken Boyer.
Shortstop Dick Groat.
Catcher Tim McCarver.
Rightfielder Mike Shannon.
Second baseman Dal Maxvill.
Pitcher Curt Simmons.
Maxvill was playing for Julian Javier, whose name is scratched out.
Penciled in for relief was the incomparable Bob Gibson, who pitched on practically no rest.
There were more names on the scorecard roster that still resonate, especially the pitchers.
Nelson Briles, Steve Carlton, Mike Cuellar, Ray Sadecki.
There's a bench player on there, too, the very first one on the numerical roster, whose name still makes you smile.
No. 9 Bob Uecker, catcher.

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