Who am I? Name that Cardinal

The St. Louis Cardinals have always been known for playing hard game of baseball.  There has always been a respect of the game and how it is supposed to be played.  They are also known for having dedicated and respectful fans.  The fans in St. Louis are known for respecting the hard play of their players.  In a way it is demanded if you wear the Birds on the Bat.  Honestly, no one truly gets a pass on the hustle aspect.  There was always an underlying grumbling when Albert Pujols didn’t give everything he had when on the base paths.  I will admit that it was usually overlooked because everything else he brought to the field.  But it was a sticking point with many.

Yadier Molina has shared some of that same disapproval by fans when it appears that he is not hustling.  Don’t get me wrong, we still love him here, but we want to see hustle all the time.  That is the way the game is supposed to be played.  The history of the competitors here in Baseball Heaven has set the bar high.  When your past includes people like Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson and modern day Chris Carpenter you better bring it every time you step on the field.

However, just because you may throw the anchor out a little early doesn’t mean you can’t still be a fan favorite in St. Louis.  We overlook some of these times when you produce.  Well, that brings me to this week’s, “Who am I? Name that Cardinal”.  This week I will focus on a player that was dearly loved here in St. Louis, but sometimes would slip the gear shift into neutral instead of kicking it up a notch or two.  He is one of those “characters” that endeared him to the fans and was definitely his own institution while here in St. Louis.  Let’s see if you can figure this one out.  Here are the clues:

I was born October 18, 1949 in Los Angeles, California

I was drafted by the Oakland Athletics as a 1^st round draft pick in the 1968 Amateur Draft

I made my Major League debut on June 4, 1971

On March 24^th 1973, I was traded to the Cleveland Indians with Dave Duncan, the long time pitching coach of the Cardinals for Ray Fosse and Jack Heidemann.

After three years in Cleveland I was traded to the San Diego Padres for Johnny Grubb, Fred Kendall and Hector Torres

Even though I only played three years with the Indians I was voted one of the top 100 players in franchise history

On May 26, 1978 I became a St. Louis Cardinal.  I was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Eric Rasmussen

While in St. Louis I was a consistent RBI man and was considered to be a long ball hitter for that era of baseball

During my career, I was a 4 time All Star, twice with the Cardinals

I was a two time Silver Slugger with the Cardinals, 1980 and 1983

I played right field for the World Champion 1982 Cardinals

I was known for other things as well as my play.  I was one of the very first ball players to wear my pants legs down to my ankles

I was not known for my hustle.  I was called Jogging George or Captain Easy

But beyond those nicknames, I was known as Silent George, because I had a long standing policy of not talking to the media

I was traded in December 1984 by the St. Louis Cardinals with Steve Barnard (minors) to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Brian Harper and John Tudor

I finished my career as a California Angel in 1988

I was back in Cardinal Red as the hitting coach in 1996 and 1997

I have been the first base and outfield coach for the Rays since 2006

Who am I?  Click here for the answer.

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