Diminutive Al Jackson, nicknamed "Little Al", twice took on the formidable Bob Gibson and beat him 1-0, both complete game victories. This occurred just before the Cardinals traded for Jackson in 1966. Jackson went on to help the Redbirds win a pennant and World Series championship as a starter and a reliever. Via phone interview, teammates Dick Hughes and Larry Jaster share their memories of Al while we also give you the highs and lows of Jackson's exploits with the woeful Mets.

Also, enjoy another edition of a regular feature "Redbird Recall," where our listeners share memories about their run-ins with players or memories of games or other Cardinal moments. Ricky Carroll of Little Rock, Arkansas, tells us about his elevator run-in with Lars Nootbaar and Victor Scott II.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

Jaster, an integral member of the Cardinals success in the late ‘60s, spent an hour with Jon and I, talking about the World Series and pennant championships he helped to secure. You’ll hear more about Eucker and his antics along with anecdotes about Tom Seaver, Willie McCovey, and others. This is part II of our conversation with our salute to Larry Jaster. Check out part I to learn how he earned the nicknames of “The Creeper” and “The Dodger Killer” along with other highlights from his 40 plus years in baseball.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

When a Clemente line drive broke Bob Gibson's leg in '67, "The Creeper" stepped up.

With ace pitcher Gibson out of commission for a large part of the '67 season, the Redbirds had their wings clipped, but on the arms of his teammates like Larry "The Creeper" Jaster, they persevered, not only winning the pennant but ultimately taking the World Series trophy.

In part 1 of our interview with 82-year-old Jaster, he shares his memories of that championship season, including how he earned his two nicknames, The Creeper and The Dodger Killer. He also reminisces about the many legends he interacted with such as Ted Simmons, Red Schoendienst, George Kissell, and others. Be a part of yesteryear baseball as he talks about what it was like to be a part of the inaugral season for the Montreal Expos.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

Larry Jaster's exploits in MLB earned him not one, but two nicknames: The Creeper and The Dodger Killer. This spotlight of an unsung hero covers Larry's five decades in baseball as a player and coach. He shares his recollections of helping the Cardinals win the pennant in '67, being the first person to pitch in Canada for the Expos, shutting out the Dodgers five times in a row, and rubbing elbows with legends like Willie McCovey, Ted Simmons, and George Kissell.

His story about Bob Eucker is not to be missed.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

"No-Chin" Willis kept his chin up as he worked his way through the minor leagues and into a position to help the St. Louis Cardinals win the WS in '67 and the NL pennant in '68. His adventures include being on fire in the Cardinal dugout and being among the league leaders in saves in '67.

This episdoe also includes an interview with a guard at Busch Stadium in the late '60s who recounts his duties and interactions with various players.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

What former Cardinal, while pitching a minor league game, collapsed on the mound and was taken to a hospital where he was issued his last rites? Surviving this near fatal experience, years later he provided key pitching for the Redbirds in their championship seasons of ’67 and ’68.

The answer is the unsung hero of this episode: Joe Hoerner.

An All-Star reliever, Hoerner had an interesting life full of peaks and valleys. Consider these examples:

• Wins a state championship. Then almost dies in a hospital with heart problems.

• Wins Rookie of the Year in the minors, then is stuck there for many years, moving 35 different times.

• He earns a WS ring. Then he is involved in a tragic boating accident that killed two different people.

Enjoy the ups and downs of professional baseball life during the late 60s and 70s in this spotlight of Joe Hoerner.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

Many father/son duos have been on the field of play in MLB: Ken/Ken Jr. Griffey, Bobby/Barry Bonds, Sandy/Roberto Alomar, Felipe/Moises Alou, Ray/Bob Boone, and Jose/Jose Jr. Cruz to name a few. However, only one duo had both the father and son sporting multiple WS rings with each of them having a WS ring as a St. Louis Cardinal.

This episode reveals this duo, focusing mainly on the father from Joliet, IL. It covers the career of this unsung hero, his ups and downs as a player and as a father.

The Essential links:

Website: https://stlouiscardinalsbeyondthehof.libsyn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRx0bBfd2KyDcY9MEvdPaPhli56Ou4Ow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559227930441

Email address: tommyjonstlcardinalspodcast@gmail.com

Your hosts, Tom and Jon, are taking a much needed break from producing episodes this month. We will be back in March to share more spotlights on unsung heroes from the storied St. Louis Cardinal franchise.

Meanwhile, enjoy this previously released episode that interviews this rookie who beat out Tom Seaver for the 1967 MLB The Sporting News Rookie of the Year. He's the same guy who led the Cardinals in wins that year. He was a 29-year-old rookie who picked up the mantle when Gibson went down with a broken leg, leading the team with 16 wins, only becoming a regular starter in May. He's currently an eighty-six-year-old who delights us with an interview that covers his adventures from minor league ball to pitching in Fenway as he helped lead the Cardinals to a World Series Championship. Don't miss his recollection of battling Hank Aaron.

Dick is accompanied by his wife Ann who provides unique perspective in living through professional baseball in the 60s.