St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Mike Shannon (left) laughs with Cardinals Hall of Famer player Ozzie Smith (center) in 2009. Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Late Cardinals broadcaster accomplished unique feat as a player

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/30/23

Mike Shannon, a beloved former St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster and player, passed away on Sunday at age 83.

A native of St. Louis, Shannon had an immeasurable impact on the franchise, on and off the field, spending nearly 60 years with the Cardinals in some capacity. However, Shannon also holds a unique place in the Cardinals' record books.

In 1966, Shannon hit the last home run at legendary Sportsman's Park, or as some called it, the original Busch Stadium. Later that same year, Shannon also smashed the first home run at Busch Memorial Stadium, where the Cardinals played until 2005.

Mike Shannon played for the Cardinals for nine seasons, and was vital to the team's 1964 and 1967 World Series titles.

He hit the final home run at Sportsman's Park as well as the first Cardinals home run at Busch Memorial Stadium in 1966. pic.twitter.com/pGo1MWd6JR
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 30, 2023

An outfielder and third baseman, Shannon made his debut for the Cardinals in 1962, spending nine seasons in St. Louis before kidney disease forced him to retire following the 1970 campaign.

Shannon won two World Series with the Cardinals in 1964 and 1967, finishing his career with 68 home runs and 367 RBI, batting .255/.275/.287 over 882 games.

Shannon began his remarkable broadcasting career two years after walking away from the diamond. Working on radio and television, Shannon was the voice of the Cardinals for several generations of fans, spending much of that time alongside fellow legend Jack Buck.

Baseball and St. Louis were in Shannon's blood, and it kept him coming back to the ballpark 50 years after his playing career ended. In 2021, with retirement looming, Shannon explained to Corey Miller of KDSK in St. Louis why he stayed in the booth so long.

"Because you don't know what's gonna happen," Shannon said. "I've seen four home runs in a game, I've seen a no-hitter, I've seen a perfect game... You just never know what's gonna happen when you come out here."

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