Chris Carpenter, Joe Torre Headline Cardinals Hall of Fame Class of 2016

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced the selections for the team Hall of Fame Class of 2016.

Congratulations to the following 4…

Chris Carpenter: Fan Selection

Chris Carpenter played nine seasons with the Cardinals, won the 2005 Cy Young award and was selected as a National League All Star three times: 2005, 2006 and 2010.  He made 18 starts for St. Louis during the postseason, including a start in Game 3 of the 2006 World Series vs. Detroit pitching 8.0 shutout innings, allowing no runs on three hits and striking out six.  The game that solidifies Carpenter into Cardinals fans hearts may be Game 5 of the 2011 Division Series vs. Philadelphia when he pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout, clinching the Division Series on the way to the team’s 11th World Championship.  He was the National League Cy Young award winner in 2005 after a 21-5 season, and National League Comeback Player of the year in 2009.  Carpenter’s .683 winning percentage ranks 2nd on the Cardinals franchise All-Time list and his 1085 strikeouts rank 4th All-Time.  He is also the Cardinals All-Time postseason wins leader with 10 and innings pitched leader (108.0).

Joe Torre: Fan Selection

Joe Torre played six seasons with the Cardinals at catcher, first base and third base from 1969-74.  He was the 1971 MVP and a four-time All-Star while playing for St. Louis, being named to the team in 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973.  Torre was named the National League MVP in 1971, after leading the league with a .363 batting average, 137 RBI and 230 hits.  His 230 hits in ’71 were the most since Stan Musial had 230 in 1948 and still rank as the 4th highest single season total in franchise history.  He posted a career batting average with the Cardinals of .308, ranking 9th in Cardinals franchise history.  During his six seasons with the Cardinals, Torre had over 100 RBI three times and never had less than 149 hits or a batting average lower than .282.

Terry Moore: Red Ribbon Panel Selection

Terry Moore played for the Cardinals from 1935 through 1942, and again from 1946 through 1948.  His three year gap away from the club during the prime of his career was due to his military service during World War II.  Known as “Captain” to his various Hall of Fame teammates, Moore manned centerfield for the 1942 and 1946 World Series Championship clubs.  A career Cardinal, Moore was a four-time All-Star from 1939 to 1942 while ranking in the National League’s top ten in stolen bases six times, doubles three times and homeruns twice.  Moore also finished in the top 20 of National League MVP voting in five of his eleven total seasons.  After his playing career concluded, Moore continued to work in major league baseball as a coach with the Cardinals through the 1950s.

Sam Breadon: Owners Selection

Sam Breadon became a minority investor in the St. Louis Cardinals team in 1917 and by 1920 was majority owner.  He became club President in 1920 and, along with Branch Rickey, helped to develop the modern day farm system.  Under Breadon’s leadership, he helped to turn the St. Louis Cardinals from a struggling team into the successful franchise it is today.  The Cardinals won their first World Championship in 1926 over the New York Yankees, and he would see his clubs win nine National League pennants and six World Championships during his time as owner.

Current St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame members: (30 + 4 above to be inducted

Jim Bottomley, Ken Boyer, Lou Brock, Jack Buck, August A. “Gussie” Busch Jr., Dizzy Dean, Jim Edmonds, Curt Flood, Bob Forsch, Frank Frisch, Bob Gibson, Chick Hafey, Jesse Haines, Whitey Herzog, Rogers Hornsby, George Kissell, Tony La Russa, Marty Marion, Willie McGee, Joe Medwick, Johnny Mize, Stan Musial, Branch Rickey, Red Schoendienst, Mike Shannon, Ted Simmons, Enos Slaughter, Ozzie Smith, Billy Southworth and Bruce Sutter.

Note: About 95% of this post is ripped right from the Cardinals press release they sent out. I’m trusting that they know what they’re talking about. I did, however, pick the YouTube clips, so it’s not complete laziness.

Photo: MLB