Countdown to Opening Day #9

Only 9 more days until the first Cardinals game on Sunday Night Baseball against the Cubs.  Continuing the count down, I bring you two players who wore #9.  First up is Terry Pendleton

2003 Donruss Recollection 35/53

Pendleton played with the Cardinals from 19984-1990.  He was a member of 2 World Series team in 1985 and 1987.  He hit one of the most memorable home runs for the Cardinals in 1987 against Roger McDowell of the Mets during a mid September game that helped the Cardinals maintain their lead in the division and eventually win he NL East.  He later won the 1991 NL MVP as a member of the Braves.  He is currently the Braves first base coach.

2001 Donruss Signature Team Trademarks 145/215

Enos "Country" Slaughter played for the Cardinals from 1938-1953.  He did not play from 1943-1945 due to military service.  He played on 2 Cardinals World Series Chapionship teams in 1942 and 1946.  He is famous for his Mad Dash during the 1946 Worls Series Game 7 where he scored from first base on a base hit to center field.  He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.  

I have fond memories of both of these players.  The 1985 Cardinals are one of my favorite teams.  I loved the style of play of that team which used base running and excellent defense to get to the World Series.  Pendleton was a key part of that team.  I obviously never saw Slaughter play, but did have the pleasure of meeting him at a baseball card show in 2001.  Slaughter was 84 or 85 years old, but he was still pretty sharp for his age.  Stan Musial was at the same show.  He played the harmonica while Slaughter sang Take Me out to the Ballgame.