In the wake of Cardinals euphoria after the World Series title, there is sadness in St. Louis.
Bob Forsch, a mainstay in the Cardinals pitching staff for 14 1/2 years, died yesterday.
He was never an All Star (although he was a Kellogg's 3D All Star, which is cooler) and never got Cy Young consideration.
But he WAS steady, reliable and could be from time to time brilliant. He threw the only two no hitters in the Concrete Donut Busch Stadium's history.
And he was a good hitter, twice winning the Silver Slugger award.
He won 20 games in 1977 and seven times gave the Cardinals 200 innings. In Game 1 of the 1982 NLCS, Forsch threw a 3 hit shutout (walking nobody) against a hard hitting Atlanta Braves team. The Cardinals would go on to sweep Atlanta for the pennant and later win the World Series.
He would pitch for the 1985 and 1987 National League champion Cardinals, winning Game 3 of the 1987 NLCS and Game 4 of the World Series out of the bullpen.
Bob Forsch seemed to be with the Cardinals forever just like his brother Ken Forsch was a mainstay in Houston. It must have been confusing when Bob finished his career as an Astro.
The Forsches are the only two brothers to each throw a no hitter.
Bob Forsch threw out the first pitch before Game 7 of the World Series this year.
Now he's gone.
Another player from my youth is no more.
You are good fans, Cardinal Nation. Salute Mr. Forsch. Give him his due.
