For Cardinals Fans Only!

Rich Wolfe’s book, For Cardinals Fans Only, was recently published by Triumph Books. Wolfe admits to being a Cardinals fan in the preface and has compiled some interviews/essays from many Cardinals fans across the nation.
Cover Image supplied by Triumph Books
The thoughts expressed by fans stretch back to memories from way back to when Stan Musial was playing, if not longer. Some of the reminiscences are emotional, such as the time that Jack Buck visited a burn victim in the hospital. The memories shared are funny, sad, happy, and sometimes even downright crazy.

All the topics are covered from Harry Caray to Mike Shannon and John Rooney to the World Series winners and Cardinals managers.

The one memory that stood out to me was from Southwestern Illinois College baseball coach Neil Fiala. Fiala played, briefly for the Cardinals in September 1981. All his Cardinals appearances came as a pinch-hitter in 3 games. He was traded with Joe Edelen to the Cincinnati Reds that month for Doug Bair. The trade was one that helped the Cardinals win the 1982 World Series.

Of course, no Cardinals book is complete without some thoughts from sports broadcaster Bob Costas. Costas didn’t share the memories that he would likely be known for. Instead, he shared his thoughts on the Roger Freed game. It was the game that took place on May 1, 1979. Freed stepped up to the plate with 2 outs and bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th inning. The score was 6-3 with the Houston Astros leading. Steve Swisher was on first, Ken Oberkfell was standing at second, and Tony Scott was on third. Next thing you know, Freed hits a game-ending walk-off grand slam that scores 4 runs to beat the Astros with a final score of 7-6. Some might even put the Freed grand slam up there with the time that Glenn Brummer stole home with two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning on August 22, 1982, to beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4.

Wolfe will be signing the book at the Barnes and Noble in St. Peter’s, Missouri, on June 15th at 1 PM local time.