The Aughts Part 3: 2002

Written by: Bill Ivie on 31st December 2009

The Aughts Part 3: 2002 | read this item

The year was 2002. The world and the nation were still recovering from the attacks on September 11th the previous year. The United States of America establishes the Department of Homeland Security. President George W. Bush faints after choking on a pretzel. Her Majesty, the Queen Mother of England, Elizabeth was laid to rest. Brazil would win the World Cup of soccer. And, of course, there was baseball…

The Cardinals would prepare for another run towards the post season with some changes in the offseason. Mark McGwire, no longer feeling he could perform at the level he held himself responsible for, would retire from baseball, personally voiding his contract and informing the Cardinals that he would not collect on anymore of the funds due to him under that contract. The front office, attempting to stay aggressive in their approach to winning, would sign free agent Tino Martinez to a contract to be the heir to the first base throne.

Mike Matheny continued to call the games from behind the plate as well as continuing to solidify himself as one of the most respected teammates and baseball minds to come through the city. The aforementioned Tino Martinez would play first base, hitting .262 with 21 home runs and 75 RBI, none of which seemed to live up to the expectations of the fans. Around the infield, Fernando Vina, Edgar Renteria and Placido Polanco would begin the year in their normal places. By midseason, a blockbuster trade would send Polanco to Philladelphia in exchange for Scott Rolen, bringing together a trio of stars for St. Louis that would soon become known as MV3 in Rolen, Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds.

While Mattheny built respect behind the plate, Edmonds continued to command respect in the outfield. Players around him, like Right Fielder JD Drew, were improving and crediting Edmonds approach, coaching, and personality for assisting them. Albert Pujols would join the pair in Left Field and prove that a “sophomore slump” was not in his cards, as he built a .314 batting average, 34 home runs and 127 RBI.

Leadership on this team would grow no larger than the Cardinals “ace” Darryl Kile. With Matt Morris, Woody Williams, and Andy Benes back in the rotation, Kile was the clubhouse leader to all. Young Jason Simontacchi would round out the rotation and midseason acquisition Chuck Finley would prove invaluable to the Cardinals.

Jason Isringhausen was signed during the offseason to provide the bullpen with a legitimate “closer” and defined the role for the team for the first time in the still young decade, saving 32 games for the team in 2002.

It was June 18, 2002 when the Cardinals season took a turn off the field that few could ever forget. St. Louis would say goodbye to one of it’s most beloved sons, one of the most decorated and celebrated announcers the game had seen anywhere, and a man that personified the organization, the game and the fans that loved all of the above. Jack Buck lost his lengthy battle with many ailments in the early morning hours of June 18. Within hours, long before sunrise, his bust outside of the stadium was being turned into an altar with fans lighting candles, leaving flowers, and leaving letters thanking him for everything he shared with them. Flags in the city flew at half staff. Local television news anchors wore black suits for a week afterwards. A public visitation was held at the stadium before the next game and all mourners who paid their respects were given free admission to the game. Jack touched multiple generations of baseball fans, Cardinal fans and otherwise and left behind words, phrases and sounds that many of us will never forget.

The city and team were wearing their hearts on their sleeves when they arrived for a day game against the rival Chicago Cubs on June 22, 2002. During pregame warm ups, players and personnel became worried that Darryl Kile had not reported to the stadium. After a lengthy delay, the player representative for the Cubs, Joe Girardi, came to the field and made an announcement, “I thank you for your patience. We regret to inform you because of a tragedy in the Cardinal family, that the commissioner has canceled the game today. Please be respectful. You will find out eventually what has happened, and I ask that you say a prayer for the St. Louis Cardinals’ family”. He openly wept and reminded all of us watching that while the Cardinal fans will always hate the Cubs, and the Cubs fans will always hate the Cardinals, life was bigger than the game of baseball. Darryl Kile was pronounced dead of a coronary attack in his hotel room, leaving behind a wife and twin children.

Later that year, the Cardinals clinched the National League Central Division, posting a record of 97 wins and 65 losses. They would clinch the division against the Houston Astros and as the players rushed the field to celebrate, the cameras would focus on the young Albert Pujols, who ran onto the field carrying a jersey on a hanger bearing the number 57 and the name “Kile” on the back. Pictures of Matt Morris, the player that seemed the most effected by Kile’s death entering the dugout on multiple occasions throughout the season to touch Kile’s jersey for guidance were numerous.

The Cardinals would exact revenge from the season before as they defeated the Diamondbacks in the first round of the playoffs, only to lose to the San Fransisco Giants, four games to one, in the championship series.

Share on Tumblr

Topics: 2002, Albert Pujols, Blockbuster, Bush Faints, Darryl Kile, Department Of Homeland Security, Edgar Renteria, Fernando Vina, George W. Bush, Jack Buck, Jim Edmonds, Mark McGwire, Mike Matheny, Mv3, outfield, Placido Polanco, President George W Bush, Queen Mother Of England, Right Fielder, Scott Rolen, Sophomore Slump, St. Louis Cardinals, The Aughts, Tino Martinez, World Cup Of Soccer