A year of Lou Brock

[David W]

Backing up a year to 1967 again, here is a ruler that I overlooked, similar to the 1966 ruler. I have seen an occasional 1966 and 67, but never any other years so perhaps they were only made these 2 years.

[David W]

Transitioning from 1968 to 1969, here are some buttons. 1967 National League Champs, 1969 MLBPA large pin (identified looking at the back, and along the edge where the pin meets the metal, you can make out 1969 MBLPA), 1969 Kelly's Potato Chips (also says 1969 MLBPA along back edge), and 1969 MLBPA small pin (also identified by looking at the back along the edge of the pin).

After the Cards successes in 1967 and 68 Lou would be on many issues the next few years. However the Cards were about to head into a long dry spell with little success, due in part to some really bad personnel decisions.

[ALR-bishop]

Steve Carlton and Rick Wise come to mind

...40s, good--50s, bad--60s, good-- 70s, bad-- 80s, good-- 90s, bad-- 2000s, good.

Historically, only the Yankees have been more successful --18 appearance, 11 wins

[David W]

In 1970 the rotation featured Jerry Reuss age 21, Mike Torrez age 23, and Carlton age 25. All traded for various reasons.

In 1968 they traded 22 year old Bobby Tolan for 30 year old Vada Pinson.

In 1971 they brought up 21 year old Jose Cruz and sold him in 1974 to the Astros.

Fireballing Jim Bibby came up in 1972 - traded to the Rangers in 1973.

1974 nice trade for Reggie Smith - 1976 traded him for catcher Joe Ferguson when you had Ted Simmons????

Bake McBride wins ROY 1974 traded 1977 for spare parts.

Then Vern Rapp as manager....... yikes........

Fortunately Whitey Herzog came along........

[stlcardsfan]

Also had Mike Cuellar but...

June 15, 1965: Traded by the St. Louis Cardinals with Ron Taylor to the Houston Astros for Chuck Taylor and Hal Woodeshick.

[ALR-bishop]

All we got was a Wood Chuck ?

[David W]

Finishing out 1968 - I don't really collect all the numerous magazine covers and baseball periodicals Brock appeared on, there are dozens from SI to Baseball Digest to whatever, but after the 67 World Series the Cards toured Japan (despite the loss to the Tigers). Here is a magazine on extremely cheap paper all in Japanese which was I assume sold in Japan. How it got to the U.S. I don't know. Brock, Gibson, and Cepeda are featured prominently, however the bulk of the magazine is Japanese players and teams.