Tom Herr
Encyclopedia
Thomas Mitchell Herr is a former second baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played from 1979 to 1991 for the St. Louis Cardinals
, Minnesota Twins
, Philadelphia Phillies
, San Francisco Giants
, and New York Mets
. Herr played in the 1982
, 1985
, and 1987 World Series
- all with Cardinals, finishing fifth in the MVP
voting and making his only appearance in the All-Star Game
in 1985. During the '85 season, he set career highs in nearly every statistical category, including an amazing 110 RBI which came along with only 8 home runs. A rare feat in the modern era of baseball, Herr remains the last NL player to drive in 100 or more runs in a season while hitting fewer than 10 home runs. Paul Molitor
is the most recent AL and MLB player to drive in 100 or more runs in a season while hitting less than 10 home runs (9 home runs, 113 RBI in 1996).
Early in the 1988 season he was traded to the Twins for Tom Brunansky
.
In a 13-season career, he batted .271 with 28 home runs and 574 RBIs in 1514 games. He had 1450 career hits
in 5349 at bat
s. He is best remembered for hitting a walk-off grand slam in extra innings against the New York Mets on April 18, 1987. After Herr hit the grand slam many fans at Busch Stadium
threw their seat cushions onto the field in celebration, alluding to Seat Cushion Night. On the June 28, 2006, game vs the Cleveland Indians
at the new Busch Stadium
, seat cushions were given as a promotion for the 1st time since the 1987 game. The Cardinals snapped an eight-game losing streak when, in the bottom of the 9th, they to score two runs for a come from behind victory after which many fans again threw their cushions on the field.
, a team in the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
, and led the team to the 2006 Atlantic League championship. His success in Lancaster piqued the interest of the Washington Nationals
, resulting in a managerial position with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns
for the 2007 season. The Suns finished last in the Southern Atlantic League in 2007 with a 55-81 record. Following the 2007 season, Herr left the Nationals organization after his request to manage their Double-A affiliate, the Harrisburg Senators
, was refused. After leaving the Nationals, he sought employment with other major league organizations, including the St. Louis Cardinals
, without success. Herr then sought to return to the Barnstormers as their manager for the 2008 season, but lost out to Von Hayes. In December 2008, the Barnstormers announced that Von Hayes has hired Herr to be his bench coach in 2009.
, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves
in the first round during the 2001 season. He played the 2005 season with the Springfield Cardinals
, the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals
. Aaron was later traded to the Cincinnati Reds
in 2006, and allocated to their former class AA team, the Chattanooga Lookouts
. In mid-2006, he was promoted to the class AAA Louisville Bats
, where he played his best season. Aaron had a short stint with the class AAA Buffalo Bisons
, but a severe groin injury caused him to be reassigned to the Bats for 2008. On March 5, 2009, Aaron joined Tom with the Lancaster Barnstormers for 2009.
Jordan Herr, also one of Tom's sons, played for the Lancaster Barnstormers for the 2008 season. At the conclusion of the season, the Chicago White Sox
signed him to their Rookie-level affiliate, the Great Falls Voyagers.
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played from 1979 to 1991 for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, and New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. Herr played in the 1982
1982 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 12, 1982 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriThe Brewers' left-hander Mike Caldwell pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits. The Brewers' offense was led by Paul Molitor, who had a World Series-record five hits and two RBIs...
, 1985
1985 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 19, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri-Game 2:Sunday, October 20, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri...
, and 1987 World Series
1987 World Series
The 1987 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins versus the St. Louis Cardinals.Minnesota was victorious in a World Series that was the first in which the home team won every game...
- all with Cardinals, finishing fifth in the MVP
MLB Most Valuable Player Award
The Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
voting and making his only appearance in the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in 1985. During the '85 season, he set career highs in nearly every statistical category, including an amazing 110 RBI which came along with only 8 home runs. A rare feat in the modern era of baseball, Herr remains the last NL player to drive in 100 or more runs in a season while hitting fewer than 10 home runs. Paul Molitor
Paul Molitor
Paul Leo Molitor , nicknamed "Molly" and "The Ignitor", is an American former Major League Baseball designated hitter and infielder. During his 21-year baseball career, he played for the Milwaukee Brewers , Toronto Blue Jays , and Minnesota Twins...
is the most recent AL and MLB player to drive in 100 or more runs in a season while hitting less than 10 home runs (9 home runs, 113 RBI in 1996).
Early in the 1988 season he was traded to the Twins for Tom Brunansky
Tom Brunansky
Thomas Andrew Brunansky , nicknamed "Bruno", is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1981 to 1994 for the California Angels, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers....
.
In a 13-season career, he batted .271 with 28 home runs and 574 RBIs in 1514 games. He had 1450 career hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 5349 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s. He is best remembered for hitting a walk-off grand slam in extra innings against the New York Mets on April 18, 1987. After Herr hit the grand slam many fans at Busch Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....
threw their seat cushions onto the field in celebration, alluding to Seat Cushion Night. On the June 28, 2006, game vs the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
at the new Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
, seat cushions were given as a promotion for the 1st time since the 1987 game. The Cardinals snapped an eight-game losing streak when, in the bottom of the 9th, they to score two runs for a come from behind victory after which many fans again threw their cushions on the field.
Management career
Herr was hired in November 2004 as the first manager of his hometown Lancaster BarnstormersLancaster Barnstormers
The Lancaster Barnstormers is an American professional baseball team based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, a team in the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
, and led the team to the 2006 Atlantic League championship. His success in Lancaster piqued the interest of the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, resulting in a managerial position with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns
Hagerstown Suns
The Hagerstown Suns are a Minor League Baseball team based in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. They play in Municipal Stadium, which was opened in 1930 and seats 4,600 fans....
for the 2007 season. The Suns finished last in the Southern Atlantic League in 2007 with a 55-81 record. Following the 2007 season, Herr left the Nationals organization after his request to manage their Double-A affiliate, the Harrisburg Senators
Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
, was refused. After leaving the Nationals, he sought employment with other major league organizations, including the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, without success. Herr then sought to return to the Barnstormers as their manager for the 2008 season, but lost out to Von Hayes. In December 2008, the Barnstormers announced that Von Hayes has hired Herr to be his bench coach in 2009.
Family
Tom Herr's oldest son, AaronAaron Herr
Aaron Mitchell Herr is a professional baseball player who played for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the independent Atlantic League in 2011. He has played the majority of his minor league career with the Atlanta Braves organization. He is the son of Tom Herr, who was also a professional baseball...
, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the first round during the 2001 season. He played the 2005 season with the Springfield Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
, the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. Aaron was later traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in 2006, and allocated to their former class AA team, the Chattanooga Lookouts
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
. In mid-2006, he was promoted to the class AAA Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
, where he played his best season. Aaron had a short stint with the class AAA Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
, but a severe groin injury caused him to be reassigned to the Bats for 2008. On March 5, 2009, Aaron joined Tom with the Lancaster Barnstormers for 2009.
Jordan Herr, also one of Tom's sons, played for the Lancaster Barnstormers for the 2008 season. At the conclusion of the season, the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
signed him to their Rookie-level affiliate, the Great Falls Voyagers.