The Illinois House of Representatives recently adopted a resolution honoring Cardinals Hall of Famer Albert ‘Red’ Schoendienst for his outstanding achievements and contributions made to Major League Baseball. The resolution (HR 488) was sponsored by State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville).
According to State Rep. Charlie Meier, “I introduced the resolution to honor Red because he is an Illinois native and we are very proud of his accomplishments. Red was born in Germantown just a few miles down the road from my hometown. Since 2015 marked the 70th year Mr. Schoendienst first wore the uniform and is a 10-time National League All Star, I deemed it was important for Illinois to honor one of its distinguished natives for his accomplishments.”
The resolution adopted by the Illinois House of Representatives states the following;
WHEREAS, The 2015 St. Louis Cardinals baseball season marks the 70th year since Albert “Red” Schoendienst first wore the uniform; and
WHEREAS, For 45 seasons “Red” wore the uniform as a player, coach, and manager; and
WHEREAS, “Red” Schoendienst is a 10-time National League All Star; and
WHEREAS, Albert “Red” Schoendienst was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989; and
WHEREAS, Schoendienst joined the Cardinals in 1945 to fill in for left fielder Stan Musial, who was serving in the U.S. Army; and
WHEREAS, “Red” Schoendienst batted .278 with 47 RBI and a National League-leading 26 stolen bases. The following year in 1946, Musial returned to the Cardinals, and Schoendienst moved to third base and then shortstop before settling in at second base, leading St. Louis to a World Series victory over the Boston Red Sox; and
WHEREAS, According to the St. Louis Cardinals’ career list, “Red” Schoendienst ranks fourth in at-bats (6,841) and pinch hits (53); fifth in games (1,795), runs (1,025) and hits (1,980); sixth in doubles (352); and seventh in total bases (2,657). He led the N.L. with 200 hits in 1957 and seven times he either led or tied for the league lead in fielding percentage; and
WHEREAS, Schoendienst served as a coach on the 1964 World Championship team and led St. Louis to a World Series victory in 1967 over the Red Sox and another N.L. pennant in 1968 en route to a 12-year tenure as skipper, the longest in franchise history; and
WHEREAS, “Red” Schoendienst is still involved with the St. Louis Cardinals organization as special assistant to the general manager; and
WHEREAS, On Monday, April 13, 2015 “Red” participated in the Cardinals Opening Day festivities where he was honored as a player, coach, and manager; and
WHEREAS, “Red” Schoendienst was born in Germantown, Illinois on February 2, 1923; and
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois is proud to call Albert “Red” Schoendienst a native Illinoisan; and therefore be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Albert “Red” Schoendienst for his outstanding achievements and contributions he has made to Major League Baseball since 1945; and be it further
Resolved, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Albert “Red” Schoendienst and the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization as a symbol of our respect and esteem.