Published: December 10, 2009 10:28 am      

Herzog and Harvey elected by Veterans

By ERIC AHLQVIST
Cooperstown Crier

Former Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog will join former players George Brett, Ozzie Smith and Bruce Sutter in the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer.

Herzog and longtime umpire Doug Harvey were both elected by the Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee on Monday. Harvey managed in the major leagues for 31 seasons, including five World Series appearances and six All Stars Games.

Herzog has been on the ballot for many years, and said Monday he tried not to think about Monday’s announcement over the weekend.

``It certainly took a little while, but I’m very happy to be elected,’’ said Herzog, 78, during a press conference form St. Louis’s Busch Stadium on Monday morning.

``I’m happy I’m still on this side of the grass.’’

After short managing stints with the Texas Rangers and California Angels, Herzog was hired as the Royals manager in 1975, Brett’s rookie season.

Herzog guided Kansas City to three straight division titles from 1976-78, losing to the Yankees in the playoffs every season, including twice in five games.

After being fired by the Royals after the ’79 season, Herzog was hired by the Cardinals in 1980, and managed them to three World Series appearances during the next decade.

They defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in seven games in 1982, and then lost seven game Series to both the Royals (1985) and Minnesota Twins (1987).

Herzog became both the team’s manager and general manager beginning in the 1982 season, and tailored the team around the Cardinals spacious home field, Busch Stadium, with a premium on speed and defense.

Players like Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, leadoff man Vince Coleman, centerfielder Willie McGee and outfielder Vince Coleman epitomized the types of players Herzog coveted.

Herzog received 14 of the 16 votes cast, while Harvey received 15 of 16 votes. Twelve votes were necessary for election.

Herzog was a four-time manager of the year and was named the manager of the decade by Sports Illustrated for the 1980s. Harvey and Herzog will be inducted on July 25 as part of the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Herzog joked during a conference on Tuesday in Indianapolis that Harvey kicked him out of more games than any other umpire.

``It was never about balls and strikes or safe or out, it was always about weather,’’ Herzog said. ``If it’s sunny in Cooperstown, let’s not bring the tarp out.’’

To which Harvey replied, ``We’ll get it in Whitey, don’t worry.’’

Harvey added his thanks to the voters for their support. The two newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame will be joined by any electees who emerge from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting, with results announced on Jan. 6.

``We are proud and honored to welcome Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog into the Hall of Fame family,’’ said Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark. ``Both Doug and Whitey demonstrated the quest for excellence that embodies each of our 291 Hall of Famers. We are thrilled to have them in Cooperstown.’’

Results of the 2009 Managers/ Umpires Ballot (12 votes needed for election): Doug Harvey (15 votes, 93.8 percent), Whitey Herzog (14 votes, 87.5 percent), Danny Murtaugh (8 votes, 50 percent), Hank O’Day (8 votes, 50 percent), Charlie Grimm (3 votes, 18.8%).

Davey Johnson, Tom Kelly, Billy Martin, Gene Mauch and Steve O’Neill each received less than 3 votes.