{"id":124659,"date":"2026-06-28T08:00:36","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T12:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=124659"},"modified":"2026-06-27T19:18:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T23:18:46","slug":"honoring-cardinal-lost-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/06\/28\/honoring-cardinal-lost-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating 20 Years at Busch Stadium III: Honoring Those Who Cardinal Nation Has Lost- Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Part 2 of a special “Celebrating 20 Years at Busch III” installment. We continue honoring those Cardinal Nation has lost<\/a> in the 20 years since Busch Stadium III opened.<\/p>\n

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

Joe Cunningham<\/a><\/h3>\n

Joe Cunningham was one of the Cardinals’ most reliable hitters during the late 1950s and early 1960s. A two-time All-Star, Cunningham was known for his exceptional ability to get on base and for his disciplined approach at the plate. In 1959, he batted .345 and leading the league in on-base percentage. Although he played before the Cardinals’ championship run of the 1960s reached its peak, Cunningham helped bridge the gap between earlier eras and the teams that would soon contend for titles.<\/p>\n

Even in retirement, Cunningham continued to have an impact on the Cardinals. He spent time as a coach, both in the minors and the majors, and helped create community programs, such as high school games at Busch Stadium and elementary programs<\/a> to help children say no to drugs.<\/p>\n

Cunningham died on March 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

Bruce Sutter<\/a><\/h3>\n

Bruce Sutter changed the role of the relief pitcher in St. Louis and throughout baseball. Acquired by the Cardinals before the 1981 season, Sutter became one of the most feared closers<\/a> in the game. Armed with his devastating split-finger fastball, he anchored the bullpen for Whitey Herzog<\/a>‘s Cardinals and played a critical role in the club’s 1982 World Series championship.<\/p>\n

\"Bruce
Mar 14, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals hall of fame pitcher Bruce Sutter watches the action against the Atlanta Braves at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Braves 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sutter saved the final game of the 1982 World Series and became a symbol of the Cardinals’ winning teams of the 1980s. His dominance helped pave the way for modern closers and earned him election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. For Cardinals fans, he remains one of the most important pitchers in franchise history and a defining figure of the Whiteyball era.<\/p>\n

Sutter died on October 13, 2022. He had been recently diagnosed with cancer. Following his passing, Commissioner Rob Manfred honored his legacy<\/a>:<\/p>\n

“Bruce Sutter was the first pitcher to reach the Hall of Fame without starting a game, and he was one of the key figures who foreshadowed how the use of relievers would evolve. Bruce will be remembered as one of the best pitchers in the history of two of our most historic franchises.”<\/p>\n

Tim McCarver<\/a><\/h3>\n

Tim McCarver enjoyed two highly successful careers connected to the Cardinals\u2014first as a player and later as a broadcaster. As a catcher, he helped guide the Cardinals’ pitching staffs and was a key contributor to the 1964 and 1967 World Series championship teams. His close working relationship with Bob Gibson<\/a> became one of the most famous pitcher-catcher partnerships in baseball history.<\/p>\n

After retiring as a player, McCarver became one of baseball’s most recognizable broadcasters, working alongside Joe Buck for many seasons on Fox. His insight, preparation, and ability to explain the game made him a fixture on national broadcasts for decades. After stepping down from the national role, McCarver continued his broadcasting career for the Cardinals, working alongside Dan McLaughlin.<\/p>\n

McCarver died of heart failure on February 16, 2023.<\/p>\n

Mike Shannon<\/a><\/h3>\n

Mike Shannon occupied a unique place in Cardinals history because he became beloved both on the field and behind the microphone. As a player, he helped the Cardinals win World Series titles in 1964 and 1967 and was a member of the 1968 National League championship team. Though injuries shortened his playing career, his connection to the franchise was far from over.<\/p>\n

For more than 50 years, Shannon served as the voice of Cardinals baseball on the radio. His colorful stories, humor, and unmistakable broadcasting style made him a companion to generations of fans listening across the Midwest. His home run call of \u201cget up, baby! Get up! Oh yeah!\u201d is ingrained in the minds of Cardinal Nation. Few people have ever represented Cardinals baseball for as long or as passionately as Shannon, making him one of the most cherished figures in franchise history.<\/p>\n