St. Louis Cardinals: Is Lonnie Smith the forgotten hero of 1982?

CINCINNATI, OH - CIRCA 1982: Lonnie Smith #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on during batting practice prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds circa 1982 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Smith played for the Cardinals from 1982-85. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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Is Lonnie Smith the forgotten hero of 1982? A close look at his season during that Cardinals championship seems to say so.

When St. Louis Cardinals fans remember the 1982 World Championship season, many names come to mind: Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee, Keith Hernandez, Tommy Herr, and Bruce Sutter. All are members of the team Hall of Fame.

We also remember Darrell Porter was the NLCS and World Series MVP. Many have never forgotten Glenn Brummer stealing home in the bottom of the 12th inning to beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4 in a key late August game. Or Willie McGee’s leaping catch in Game 3 of the World Series that robbed Gorman Thomas of a home run.

But rarely does Lonnie Smith’s name ever come up when we talk about that 1982 World Championship season. However. the case can be made that Smith was the best offensive player for the Cardinals in 1982. Let’s take a close look.

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