ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals announced Friday that Édgar Rentería, Al Hrabosky and the late Walt Jocketty will be inducted into its team Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Sept. 6.
Rentería was voted in by the fans during an eight-week poll. Hrabosky was selected by a Red Ribbon Committee, which is comprised of 12 baseball experts. Jocketty, who passed away last week after a prolonged illness, was an organizational selection as an important figure in St. Louis baseball history.
“We take great pride in the selection process we use for electing new members of the Cardinals Hall of Fame,” Bill DeWitt Jr., Cardinals chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “I’d like to thank our fans as well as the Red Ribbon Committee who cast their votes for this year’s induction class. Congratulations to Édgar Rentería, Al Hrabosky, and the late Walt Jocketty on this tremendous honor. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of these players during our induction ceremony in September.”
Rentería hit .290 with 71 home runs, 451 RBIs and 148 stolen bases through 903 games with the Cardinals from 1999-2004. In 2003, he set club records for a shortstop with a .330 average, 47 doubles and 100 RBIs. He ranks second in franchise history among shortstops in home runs and stolen bases and third in batting average (min. 1,500 plate appearances), hits, extra-base hits and RBIs.
Rentería is the only player in Cardinals history to win Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards in the same season twice (2002 and 2003). He was a three-time All-Star with St. Louis and he hit .333 in the 2004 World Series against Boston.
Hrabosky became one of baseball’s best relievers pitching for the Cardinals from 1970-1977. He was the 1975 National League Fireman of the Year, given to the league’s best reliever, and finished third in Cy Young Award balloting after tallying a league-high 22 saves with 13 wins and a 1.66 ERA. Hrabosky ranks sixth in Cardinals history with 182 games finished, ninth with 59 saves (since 1969) and 12th with 329 games pitched.
Perhaps Hrabosky is best known for his antics on the mound. Known as “The Mad Hungarian,” he sported a Fu Manchu mustache and long hair and was colorful on the mound. He has been a TV/radio analyst and ambassador for the organization since 1985.
Jocketty, the team’s general manager from 1994 to 2007, oversaw one of the most successful eras in team history. The teams he built made seven postseason appearances, won the 2006 World Series and won two National League pennants. He was named MLB Executive of the Year in 2000 and 2004.
One of his biggest decisions was hiring Tony La Russa as manager in October 1995. The players he brought to St. Louis won 30 Gold Gloves and 16 Silver Slugger awards. During his tenure, 18 Cardinals were named All-Stars a combined total of 51 times.
Rentería, Hrabosky and Jocketty will make up the 11th class into the team’s Hall of Fame. They will join 55 other former players, managers and executives who made their mark on the Cardinals franchise.