1982 World Series Champions: Where Are They Now?

In the first edition of Where Are They Now?, we take a look back at the 1982 World Series champions, including some of the players that had some playing time during the regular season but were not on the World Series roster in the postseason. Some guys were easier to find what they were up to these days than others were. In addition, for some, no information could be found. Sadly, there are a few who have left us much too soon.

1982 St. Louis Cardinals
Manager
Whitey Herzog: the White Rat was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2010 after receiving 14 of 16 votes by the Veterans’ Committee. Herzog has accepted an invitation from Mike Matheny to visit spring training in 2012.

Coaches
Chuck Hiller: the 3B coach for the 1982 champions died in 2004 at the age of 70. After working for the Cardinals, Hiller would serve in the Mets organization for many seasons.

Hub Kittle: The former pitching coach of the 1982 champions passed away in 2004 at the age of 86 following complications from kidney failure and diabetes. Prior to his death, he was serving the Seattle Mariners as a special pitching instructor.

Hal Lanier: after serving as 1B and 3B coach for the Cardinals, Lanier went on to manage the Houston Astros and later had a stint with the Philadelphia Phillies. After leaving Major League Baseball in 1988, he has been managing teams in independent leagues. Most recently, he served as the manager of the Normal CornBelters. However, his contract was not renewed for next season.

Dave Ricketts: The former bullpen coach died of cancer in 2008 at the age of 73. Prior to his death, he coached catchers in the Cardinals farm system.

Red Schoendienst: the Hall of Fame second baseman remains with the Cardinals as a Special Assistant to the GM. As of 2011, he has worn a uniform for 66 consecutive seasons.

Pitchers
Joaquin Andujar: Wikipedia shows that he has a trucking business in the Dominican Republic and has been involved with hurricane relief efforts but I have not found another source that confirms this information.

Doug Bair: In 2008, he was the pitching coach for the Dayton Dragons. This past season, he provided some color commentary as a guest in the television broadcast booth for Dayton.

Bob Forsch: died during the first week of November 2011. Prior to his death, he was the pitching coach for the Billings Mustangs, the A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

Jim Kaat: During the 2011 season, he was a broadcaster for the MLB Network. He has an online presence at JimKaat.com.

Jeff Keener: The former pitcher is now the Assistant Principal at Murphysboro High School.

Jeff Lahti: He is currently offering pitching lessons.

Dave LaPoint: Starting this past year, he was the first manager of the Rockland Boulders, a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball (Can-Am League).

Mark Little: The former pitcher, who retired during the middle of the 1982 season, is the inventor of the Nutty Buddy.

John Martin: He is retired and living in Florida.

Steve Mura: He currently owns a pool service in California.

Eric Rasmussen: He played during the month of September for the Cardinals in 1982 but now he serves as a pitching coordinator for the Minnesota Twins.

Andy Rincon: No information could be found for the former pitcher who made his final MLB appearance in May 1982.

John Stuper: Currently serving as the head coach of the Yale Bulldogs.

Bruce Sutter: He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. In the final weeks of the 2010 season, he was a pitching consultant for the Phillies minor leagues.

Catchers
Glenn Brummer: The only recent thing I could find is that he was a hitting coach for the Charlotte Rangers (FSL) back in 2002.

Darrell Porter: The World Series MVP passed away at the age of 50 in 2002.

Orlando Sanchez: If you don’t remember him, that’s because he was backup catcher in 1982 and did not play in the postseason. Anyway, he was fired as a manager in the Mexican League this past summer.

Gene Tenace: He retired as the Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach following the 2009 season.

Infielders
Julio Gonzalez: No information could be found.

Keith Hernandez: The former first baseman is an analyst for SNY broadcasts of New York Mets games.

Tom Herr: The former second baseman was let go as manager of the Lancaster Barnstormers after the 2010 season.

Ken Oberkfell: He was not retained as a bench coach for the New York Mets following the 2011 season.

Kelly Paris: No information

Mike Ramsey: No information

Ozzie Smith: Owns a sports academy, amongst other things.

Outfielders
Steve Braun: Runs winter and summer programs for aspiring ballplayers.

David Green: No information

George Hendrick: Since 2005, he has been the first base coach for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Dane Iorg: He’s doing something with Synergy.

Tito Landrum: Played in 79 games during the 1982 season but 1985’s postseason was memorable for him. Currently, he is a physical therapist.

Willie McGee: Formed the Wille McGee Foundation

Gene Roof: He only played 11 games in 1982 but is currently the baserunning coordinator for the Detroit Tigers.

Lonnie Smith: He’s currently a stay-at-home father.

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