Baseball Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst, who spent more than six decades in the Cardinals organization as a player, manager, coach and executive, died Wednesday at his St. Louis-area home. He was 95.
Schoendienst's family announced the news Wednesday evening.
"He inspired all that knew him to always do their best. Red was a great ball player, but his legacy is that of a great gentleman who had respect for all. He loved his family, friends, teammates, the community and his country. He will be greatly missed," the family's statement read in part (per MLB.com).
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The Cardinals also issued a statement praising Schoendienst, who was a fixture at Busch Stadium well into his later years as he regularly instructed players on the field prior to games.
"His influence on this organization cannot be overstated. Red was a great player, a great manager, and a wonderful mentor to countless players, coaches, and members of the front office. He was also a fan favorite who connected with millions of Cardinals fans across multiple generations. He will be sorely missed," principal owner William O. DeWitt Jr. said.
Schoendienst, who was born Feb. 2, 1923, in Germantown, Ill., was in uniform or a member of the front office for each of the Cardinals' last six World Series championships (player in 1946; manager in 1967; coach in 1964 and 1982; executive in 2006 and 2011) and their five other World Series appearances (manager in 1968; coach in 1985 and 1987; executive in 2004 and 2013). The Cards signed him in 1942 out of a tryout camp.
He also played on the then-Milwaukee Braves' 1957 world championship team and was briefly a member of the then-New York Giants in the mid-'50s.
A second baseman by trade, Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst (nicknamed for his red hair) collected 2,449 hits over a 19-year playing career (1945-63) that included 10 All-Star Game selections. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.
The Cardinals, who were playing at home Wednesday night against the Marlins, retired Schoendienst's No. 2 in 1996, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"He's going to be missed around here," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told reporters postgame (per MLB.com). "We've already been missing him, even though we've been staying in contact. We miss seeing him around and we're blessed to have been able to spend the time with him that we did."
Two franchise luminaries were quick to offer tributes.
Albert Pujols:
It was a privilege to know and learn from one of baseball’s best, Red Schoendienst. Truly one of the greatest mentors in the game. He always made time for me and I will cherish the great times we spent together. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. pic.twitter.com/c3UDDBx3lF
— Albert Pujols (@PujolsFive) June 7, 2018
Tony La Russa (to the Post-Dispatch):
"He was one of the most beautiful individuals you’d ever want to meet. In every way, he was beautiful."
