{"id":124426,"date":"2026-06-26T13:48:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T17:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=124426"},"modified":"2026-06-26T13:48:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T17:48:24","slug":"honoring-cardinal-lost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/06\/26\/honoring-cardinal-lost\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating 20 Years at Busch Stadium III: Honoring Those Cardinal Nation Has Lost- Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Welcome to the third installment of our \u201cCelebrating 20 Years at Busch III\u201d series. We continue to look at memorable events and individuals throughout the 20-year history of Busch Stadium III. In April, we took a look at the Cardinals\u2019 championships and pennants<\/a>. Last month, we looked at the numbers retired<\/a> by the Cardinals at Busch III. This month, we will remember those in the Cardinals\u2019 family whom we have lost over the last 20 years.<\/p>\n

Celebrating 20 Years at Busch III: Honoring Those Cardinal Nation Has Lost<\/h2>\n

The purpose of this installment is to honor the memories of those we have lost. The Cardinals have such a rich history, with many individuals contributing to it. Sadly, many are no longer with us.<\/p>\n

Due to many names needing to be honored, we are splitting this into two articles. We will go through this chronologically, starting with a tragic loss that shocked Cardinal Nation.<\/p>\n

Josh Hancock<\/a><\/h3>\n

Josh Hancock<\/a> joined the Cardinals in 2006 and had his best season yet. He posted a career-best 4.09 ERA and was used in multiple situations out of the bullpen. Although he did not pitch in the 2006 World Series, Hancock was on the roster and thus earned a World Series ring.<\/p>\n

On April 29th, 2007, Hancock was killed in a car accident. Hancock, while driving intoxicated, hit the rear of a tow truck that was parked to assist another individual. The Cardinals’ game later that day against the Chicago Cubs was postponed.<\/p>\n

For the rest of the season, the Cardinals honored Hancock\u2019s memory by wearing a #32 (his number) patch on their sleeves and posting a \u201cJH 32\u201d decal on the bullpen wall.<\/p>\n

George Kissell<\/h3>\n

George Kissell may not be a household name to casual fans, but inside the Cardinals’ organization, he was one of the most influential figures in franchise history. He spent decades as a coach, instructor, scout, and mentor, shaping generations of Cardinals players. His work helped define what people often call \u201cthe Cardinal Way,\u201d an unwritten manual on how practices should be conducted and how players should respond to situations during a game. It gradually became a mindset that the organization adopted and continues to maintain today.<\/p>\n

Kissell\u2019s impact was less about one season and more about culture. He taught fundamentals, professionalism, and respect for the game. Many Cardinals greats credited him as a teacher and guide, making him one of the quiet pillars behind the organization\u2019s long-term success.<\/p>\n

Kissell died on October 7, 2008, from injuries sustained during a car accident.<\/p>\n

Marty Marion<\/a><\/h3>\n

Marty Marion<\/a> was one of the greatest defensive shortstops in Cardinals\u2019 history and a key figure in the club\u2019s 1940’s dynasty. Nicknamed \u201cThe Octopus\u201d because of his long reach and defensive range, Marion helped lead St. Louis to multiple pennants and World Series championships. He won the 1944 National League MVP Award, a rare honor for a defense-first shortstop.<\/p>\n

His legacy with the Cardinals is built on winning, steadiness, and elite defense. Marion represented an era when the Cardinals were one of baseball\u2019s dominant organizations, and his glove was central to that identity. He later managed the Cardinals as well, adding another chapter to his connection with the franchise.<\/p>\n

Marion died on March 15, 2011, from an apparent heart attack.<\/p>\n

Stan Musial<\/a><\/h3>\n

Stan Musial<\/a> is, without a doubt, the greatest Cardinal of all time. \u201cStan the Man\u201d<\/a> spent his entire 22-year career with St. Louis, becoming the face of the franchise and one of baseball\u2019s most beloved figures. He was a three-time National League MVP, a 24-time All-Star, a three-time World Series champion, and an amazing hitter, with 3,630 hits in his career.<\/p>\n

Musial\u2019s impact went far beyond numbers. He represented consistency, humility, loyalty, and excellence. For generations of Cardinals’ fans, he was the standard by which every great Cardinal is measured. His statue outside Busch III says it best: \u201cHere stands baseball\u2019s perfect warrior. Here stands baseball\u2019s perfect knight.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

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Musial died on January 19, 2013, of natural causes. For the next week, Cardinal Nation celebrated his life. Fans laid flowers at the base of his statue and stories were shared. The celebration of life culminated in his funeral at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, where fans stood outside in cold temperatures to honor \u201cStan the Man.”<\/p>\n