Cardinals retire Herzog's number

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals retired former manager Whitey Herzog's No. 24 in a ceremony Saturday before St. Louis played the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The sold-out crowd at Busch Stadium gave the newly inducted Hall of Famer a prolonged standing ovation after team owner Bill DeWitt made the announcement.

"You built a platform that we are happy to still have going today," DeWitt said. "We will permanently retire No. 24 in your honor today."

The 78-year-old Herzog was brought onto the field in a carriage pulled by two Clydesdales, Diamonds and Pops. Also in attendance were members of the 1985 National League championship team led by Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.

"It's a wonderful experience," Herzog said. "I was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., and it was a wonderful honor. But let me tell you folks, to be here tonight with my number being retired at Busch Stadium in front of these players who are responsible for me being here and you fans, that's really great."

Herzog, a native of New Athens, Ill., was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame a week ago along with outfielder Andre Dawson and umpire Doug Harvey.

Herzog managed 18 seasons. He spend 16 of them with St. Louis (1980 to 1990) and Kansas City (1975 to 1979). He won three division titles with Kansas City and two NL pennants with the Cardinals and one world championship in 1982.

Some of the players on Herzog's 1985 National League championship team on hand for a 25th anniversary celebration were Jack Clark, Vince Coleman, John Tudor, Jose Oquendo, Andy Van Slyke, Tito Landrum and Danny Cox.

-- Associated Press