Mike Shannon honored by Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

Mike Shannon, a long time St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster, has been honored by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as a Missouri Sports Legend.
Apr 29, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny (22) talks with broadcaster Mike Shannon before a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Also honored yesterday were late Cardinals outfielders Curt Flood and Roger Maris in addition to Yankees scout Tom Greenwade, who was notable in signing Mickey Mantle.

"“I’m so humbled and honored here today,” said Shannon, who played nine seasons for St. Louis from 1962 to 1970, played on three World Series teams and has worked in the broadcast booth since 1972.“We need to pat ourselves on the back. … This is the greatest Hall of Fame there is. There is a great one in Cooperstown, OK?,” Shannon said. “But I’m going to tell you something – they don’t have the great citizens they have here in the Missouri hall of fame.”"

Red Schoendienst, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1989, was in attendance yesterday as well. The longtime Cardinal was there to speak for the 1964 and 1967 Cardinals teams as they were honored by being named to the Honor Roll of World Champions.

Curt Flood’s daughter had the following to say about her father being honored.

"“We’ve been out there trying to get people to understand what his sacrifice was about, what the reserve clause was about,” Flood’s daughter said, referring to a baseball clause that a court eventually struck down. “Those of you who sit before me understand. But the masses don’t understand.”"

It was Curt Flood’s refusal to play for the Philadelphia Phillies that paved the way for ballplayers to become free agents.

Randy Maris accepted on the behalf of his father Roger, who is considered by some to still be the single-season home run king.

"“When my dad was traded to St. Louis, it became one of the happiest times in his career,” Randy Maris said. “He was so blessed not only to have the support of all of his teammates but what I consider to be the most best fans in baseball, the most knowledgeable fans in baseball.”"

Congratulations to everyone that was honored yesterday.