(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) ***Local Caption***
Today, July 29, marks a special anniversary in the history of the St. Louis Cardinals.
21 years ago, the Cardinals had a roster that consisted of stars such as Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, Matt Morris, Jason Isringhausen, Mike Matheny, and Woody Williams.
However, there was one missing piece.
But on this day in 2002, then-General Manager Walt Jocketty made a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Phillies.
St. Louis sent infielder Placido Polanco and pitchers Bud Smith and Mike Timlin to Philadelphia in the trade.
The return was a future Hall-of-Famer in star third baseman Scott Rolen.
On Twitter, Bally Sports Midwest, the TV home of the Cardinals, recalled this legendary trade.
The #STLCards acquired a Hall of Famer 21 years ago today. pic.twitter.com/nztnyoeo2U
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) July 29, 2023
We want Jocketty back
— Zach (@Zach_00000) July 29, 2023
When trade deadlines were fun #i’m_old
— Irina Wagner (@IrinaWagne36113) July 29, 2023
Rolen proved to be the missing piece for the Cardinals in 2002.
From there, St. Louis took off and won their second NL Central title in three years, finishing with a record of 97-65.
The Cardinals reached the NLCS and were defeated by the San Francisco Giants, but it was just the start of a special era in St. Louis.
Along with Edmonds and Pujols, Rolen helped form the famous “MV3.”
With the three sluggers, St. Louis won three more division titles, two National League pennants, and a World Series title.
Rolen even had a signature moment in Game 7 of the 2004 NLCS, when he hit a go-ahead home run off of Roger Clemens, which proved to be the difference in the series.
Rolen was recently enshrined in the Hall of Fame, and entered with a Cardinals logo on his plaque to celebrate his accomplishments in St. Louis.
The post Fans Are Remembering The Anniversary Of A Legendary Cardinals Trade appeared first on The Cold Wire.