Willie McGee

Willie Dean McGee (November 2, 1958-) was one of the most beloved St. Louis Cardinals in franchise history who combined speed and an unorthodox swing to win the hearts of Redbird fans. Though the New York Yankees took Willie with the 15th overall pick of the 1977 MLB January Amateur Draft, he never wore the pinstripes a he was traded to the Cardinals in 1981 and he debuted in 1982. McGee added speed to the already swift base-stealing lineup that included Lonnie and Ozzie Smith and eventually Vince Coleman. As a rookie, McGee and the Cardinals, playing the “Whiteyball” system of on-base percentage, speed and base stealing (named after Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog), marched to their first of three National League pennants during the 1980s and the 1982 World Series win over the Milwaukee Brewers – then of the American League. Willie’s penchant for “swinging at everything” earned him a reputation as an impatient hitter at the plate, but the speedy outfielder also captured two NL batting titles in 1985 batting .353, and in 1990 batting .335. His ’85 average of .353 was the highest in the history of baseball for a switch-hitter and earned him the 1985 NL Most Valuable Player award as he added a league-leading 216 hits and 18 triples. Willie also took his second of four NL All-Star selections that year and, obviously, the Silver Slugger. McGee played 18 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cards (1982-1990, 1996-1999), the Oakland Athletics (1990), the San Francisco Giants (1991-1994) and the Boston Red Sox (1995). In 1990, when Willie won his second batting title, he had amassed enough plate appearances in the NL to win the title despite being traded to the Athletics for the stretch run as they returned to the World Series. In all, Willie appeared in four World Series (1982, 1985, 1987, 1990), winning the 1982 Fall Classic. Through his 18 years in the outfield, Willie McGee hit .295 for his career with 2,254 hits including 350 doubles, 94 triples and 79 home runs, 1,010 runs scored, 352 stolen bases and 856 RBI. In the field, he posted a .976 fielding percentage and won three NL Gold Gloves. Willie returned to the Cardinal organization in 2013 as a Special Assistant to the General Manager.