Cardinals: 5 memorable moments from 1982 Championship Season

ST. LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 20: (L-R) MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn presents the World Series trophy to Gussie Busch and Whitey Herzog of the St. Louis Cardinals as NBC broadcaster Bob Costas looks on during World Series game seven between the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers on October 20, 1982 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals defeated the Brewers 6-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 20: (L-R) MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn presents the World Series trophy to Gussie Busch and Whitey Herzog of the St. Louis Cardinals as NBC broadcaster Bob Costas looks on during World Series game seven between the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers on October 20, 1982 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals defeated the Brewers 6-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 02: Chris Stratton #30 of the St. Louis Cardinals and Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate their teams 6-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on August 2, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 02: Chris Stratton #30 of the St. Louis Cardinals and Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate their teams 6-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on August 2, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /

The Willie McGee game

Keith Hernandez once said, “Without Willie, we don’t win it in 1982.” He could of been talking about Willie McGee’s impact during the 1982 season, or he could could’ve been talking about Game 3 of the 1982 World Series.

Likely Hernandez was talking about both. Nevertheless, McGee almost single handedly saved Game 3 of the World Series by himself. And, without Willie’ Game 3 performance, the Cardinals don’t win the 1982 world Series.

The series was tied 1-1, and had moved to Milwaukee for the next three games. With Joaquin Andujar and Pete Vuckovich on the mound, the game was locked in a scoreless tie going into the 5th inning. McGee hit a three run homer to break up the scoreless game, and later added another home run in the seventh.

But it was McGee’s leaping defensive snare in the ninth by robbing Gorman Thomas of a home run which made Willie a Cardinal legend.  Additionally, he made a running catch of a Paul Monitor line drive in the first inning.

Willie’s heroics led the Cardinals 6-2 win, and a 2-1 lead in the Series. Arguably, many consider McGee’s performance in this game as one of the best in World Series history.