ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - When you think of the "Whiteyball" style of baseball that dominated the 1980s, Whitey Herzog is the first name that comes to mind as the genius and the innovator of the concept, then after that, two particular names come up to mind.
Ozzie Smith and Willie McGee both saw unmitigated success while playing for Herzog in the 1980s, with Smith achieving nine Gold Gloves, nine All-Stars appearances and a Silver Slugger under Herzog, while McGee not only made four All-Star appearances and won three Gold Gloves, he also won the 1985 National League MVP and a batting title.
Both Smith and McGee talked to KMOX about the influence Herzog had on their careers and the brilliance of him as a manager.
"It's a tough day for me and whole lot of people," said McGee, whose now a coach on the Cardinals coaching staff before Tuesday's 3-2 win against the Oakland A's. "He was the greatest manager, baseball mind, the greatest person. He had just all the skills of a manager."
McGee says Herzog was the perfect manager for him, as he didn't get into the way of the team during the game and that's what made him a great manager.
"What was so great about him, and I always tell people that once the game started, you didn't even know he was over (in the dugout)," said McGee. "He just let you and trust that you can go out there and play and let us do our thing."
Smith, who was on the golf course when he heard the news of Herzog's death, says that Herzog probably was the person who had a bigger impact in his life as anybody.
"When he came to San Diego, I can remember him telling me 'if you come play for us, there's no reason we can't win it all'" said Smith. " He said 'I think you are the missing piece of the puzzle'. When someone has that type of belief and confidence in you, it was only a matter of time before I okayed that trade to come to St. Louis."
Smith believes Herzog had a big of an impact on Cardinals baseball in the last 20 years.
"When he came in, baseball (in St.Louis) was down," said Smith. "Then when he came in as general manager and manager, he changed the culture and got us back to winning ways. I think that's one thing people will remember about him. We'll be talking about Cardinals baseball, "Whiteyball", for years to come long after we're gone."
Smith says the one thing he's going to miss with Herzog is that he won't be with Smith when they attend the Baseball Hall of Fame ceremonies in Cooperstown, New York, in July, an event Smith loves to attend.
"Every year I go to the Hall of Fame and ask myself 'whose isn't going to be there next year'" said Smith to KMOX's Matt Pauley. " Over the last 5-10 years, (The Cardinals) had a very large contingent of Hall of Famers at the Hall of Fame and it's dwindling very quickly now."