Vaughan Pallmore "Bing" Devine (March 1, 1916 - January 27, 2007) was an American front office executive for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets in Major League Baseball. In the prime of his career, as a general manager, the executive who is responsible for all baseball operations, Devine was a major architect of four National League champions and three World Series champions in the six years between 1964 and 1969. is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Major league affiliations National League (1892–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 42, 42, 45, 85 Name St. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 14, 37, 41, 42 Name New York Mets (1962–present) Ballpark Shea Stadium (1964–present) Polo Grounds (1962–1963) Major league titles World Series titles (2) 1969 â€¢ 1986 NL Pennants (4) 1969 â€¢ 1973 â€¢ 1986 â€¢ 2000... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... In Major League Baseball, the General Manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players. ... The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League, is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada and the worlds oldest extant professional team sports league. ... For other events named World Series, see World Series (disambiguation). ...

Specifically, Devine served as general manager of the Cardinals from November 1957 through August 1964, and was directly responsible for putting the 1964 world champion Cardinals on the field (even though he had been fired with six weeks remaining in the season, one of the most bizarre events in baseball annals). Many of the players Devine acquired led the Cardinals to the 1967 world title and the 1968 NL championship, the latter occurring on Devine's watch during his second tour (1968-78) as St. Louis general manager. In between those terms, from 1965-67, Devine was assistant to the president, and then president (and de facto general manager), of the Mets, where he helped put together the organization that would turn the franchise from baseball's laughingstocks to 1969 world champions as the "Miracle Mets." During the 1980s, he also served as president of the St. Louis football Cardinals of the National Football League. The 1964 World Series, the 56th playing for the championship of Major League Baseball, pitted the National League champion St. ... The 1967 World Series matched the St. ... The 1968 World Series featured the defending champion St. ... The 1969 World Series was played between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles, with the Mets prevailing in 5 games to accomplish one of the greatest upsets in Series history, as that particular Orioles squad was (and still is by some baseball pundits) considered to be one of... City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, The Birds, Big Red Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Owner Bill Bidwill General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference... The National Football League (NFL) is the largest and most prestigious professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. ...

Early career with the Cardinals

Devine was born in St. Louis, and attended the city's University City High School and Washington University before joining the Cardinals in the late 1930s. As pioneers of the farm system concept, the Cardinals had as many as 40 affiliated or owned teams in their minor league system before World War II. With time out for U.S. Navy service during the war, Devine rose rapidly through the ranks as a business manager of Cardinal farm teams, finally becoming the general manager of the AAA Rochester Red Wings of the International League in 1949. He also trained monkeys. After six seasons at the helm of the Redbirds' top farm team, he joined the St. Louis front office in the autumn of 1954. The Cardinals, recently purchased by brewery magnate August "Gussie" Busch, were in rebuilding mode under trade-happy general manager "Frantic" Frank Lane. The team finished second in the NL in 1957, but Lane had worn out his welcome; he moved on to run the Cleveland Indians and was replaced in St. Louis by the steady hand of Devine. This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Washington University in St. ... The farm system is a slang term used in baseball to refer to the systematic control or ownership of minor league baseball clubs by major league teams, who move players from the lowest to the highest classification as they gain experience and enjoy success at each level. ... A Class A California League game in San Jose, California (1994) Minor baseball leagues are North American professional baseball leagues that compete at a level below that of Major League Baseball. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The United States Navy, also known as the USN or the U.S. Navy, is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... Class-Level Triple-A (1929-Present) Minor League affiliations International League North Division Major League affiliation Minnesota Twins (2003-Present) Baltimore Orioles (1961-2002) St. ... The International League (IL) is a minor league baseball league which operates in the eastern United States and Canada. ... August Adolphus Gussie Busch, Jr. ... Frank Lane (February 1, 1896 - March 19, 1981), nicknamed Trader Lane, was a Major League Baseball general manager for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, and St. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1957 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 5, 14, 18, 19, 21, 42, 455 Name Cleveland Indians (1915–present) Cleveland Naps (1905-1914) Cleveland Bronchos (1902-1904) Cleveland Blues (1901) Ballpark Jacobs Field (1994–present) Cleveland Stadium (1932-1993)* a. ...

Devine began to add talent and depth to the St. Louis roster, including African American and Latin American players. In the first five years of his reign, he traded for or promoted players such as Bob Gibson, Bill White, Curt Flood, and Julian Javier. But the Cardinals were mired in the middle of the pack of a very powerful National League. In 1963 - a season also marked by the final campaign of the Cardinals' longtime superstar, Stan Musial - the Redbirds surged into contention, sparked by the acquisition of shortstop Dick Groat from the Pittsburgh Pirates, 18-win seasons from pitchers Gibson and Ernie Broglio, the comeback of lefthanded starter Curt Simmons (who had been signed off the scrap heap by Devine), and the strong rookie campaign of catcher Tim McCarver, promoted from AAA. The Cardinals challenged the eventual world champion Los Angeles Dodgers into mid-September before finishing second, the club's highest showing since '57. An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... Pack Robert Bob Gibson (born November 9, 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska) is a former right-handed baseball pitcher for the St. ... William De Kova White (born January 28, 1934 in Lakewood, Florida) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and left-handed batter who played for the New York and San Francisco Giants (1956, 1958), St. ... Curtis Charles Flood (January 18, 1938 – January 20, 1997) was a Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career as a center fielder for the St. ... Manuel Julián Javier Liranzo (born August 9, 1936 in San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic), best known as Julián Javier [hoo-LEAN hah-ve-ERR], is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and right-handed batter who played with the St. ... The following are the events of the year 1963 that happened world-wide throughout the sport of baseball. ... Stanley Frank Musial, original StanisÅ‚aw Franciszek MusiaÅ‚, nicknamed Stan the Man and The Donora Greyhound (born November 21, 1920 in Donora, Pennsylvania), is an American former player in Major League Baseball who played 22 seasons for the St. ... The position of the shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. ... Richard Morrow Groat (born November 4, 1930 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania) is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1952, 1955-62), St. ... Major league affiliations National League (1887–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 20, 21, 33, 40, 42 Name Pittsburgh Pirates (1891–present) Pittsburgh Innocents (1890) Pittsburg Alleghenies (1882–1889) (Also referred to as Infants in 1890) Ballpark PNC Park (2001–present) Three Rivers... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Ernest Gilbert Broglio (born August 27, 1935 in Berkeley, California) was a righthanded pitcher in American Major League Baseball from 1959-66. ... Curtis Thomas Simmons (born May 19, 1929, in Egypt, Pennsylvania), was a left-handed pitcher in American Major League Baseball from 1947-50 and 1952-67. ... The position of the catcher Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in cricket. ... James Timothy McCarver (born October 16, 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee) is an American former Major League and minor league baseball catcher, and a current broadcaster for FOX Sports. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899-1910), (1913) Brooklyn Grooms...

1964: Premature firing and a world championship

However, when the 1964 season began, the Philadelphia Phillies took a stranglehold on first place. The Cardinals were trying a variety of young players in Musial's old left-field position, and none were taking hold. At the trading deadline, June 15, 1964, Devine sprung. The second-division Chicago Cubs had a 25-year-old outfielder with great speed, Lou Brock, who was not living up to his projected potential. Devine offered the Cubs his 18-game winner from the previous year, Broglio, plus outfielder Doug Clemens and pitcher Bobby Shantz for Brock and two marginal pitchers. The Cubs agreed, and one of the most significant (and one-sided) trades in baseball history was made. Brock would hit .348 for the remainder of the season, and would lead the Cardinals to their three pennants and two world titles over the next five years. He would play the rest of his career with St. Louis (retiring in 1979), steal 938 bases (breaking Ty Cobb's record), currently second all-time (to Rickey Henderson), and become a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. The following are the baseball events of the year 1964 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 14, 20, 32, 36, 42 Name Philadelphia Phillies (1883–present) Philadelphia Quakers (1882) (Commonly referred to as Blue Jays 1943-1945 despite formal name remaining Phillies) Ballpark Citizens Bank Park (2004–present) Veterans Stadium... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 10, 14, 23, 26, 42 Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1889) (a. ... Austin Kearns, an outfielder, catches a fly ball. ... Louis Clark Lou Brock (born June 18, 1939, El Dorado, Arkansas) is an American former player in Major League Baseball. ... Robert Clayton Shantz, Morgan and Brads great uncle, (born September 26, 1925 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania) was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics (1949-1954), Kansas City Athletics (1955-1956), New York Yankees (1957-1960), Pittsburgh Pirates (1961), Houston Colt . ... The all-time stolen base leader, Rickey Henderson, swipes third in 1988. ... Tyrus Raymond Ty Cobb (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961), nicknamed The Georgia Peach,[2] was a Major League Baseball (MLB) player. ... Rickey Henley Henderson (born December 25, 1958) is baseballs major-league all-time leader by a very wide margin in stolen bases. ... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 62 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related...

Ironically, Brock's impact on the Cardinals was not felt immediately. The team continued to trail the Phillies by a large margin and it looked to all as though the club's pennant drought would extend to 18 years. Owner Busch was bitterly disappointed, and decided in the middle of August to clean out his front office. On the advice of his special assistant, legendary Branch Rickey, Busch fired Devine and business manager Art Routzong, and accepted the resignation of assistant general manager Eddie Stanky. Manager Johnny Keane was to be fired at the end of the season, to be replaced (it was rumored) by Leo Durocher. Meanwhile, Devine's old job went to Rickey protege Bob Howsam. But as events unfolded, Busch had acted in haste. The Cardinals began to win, while the Phillies suffered an epic September collapse, losing a 6½-game lead with a dozen games to play, sparking a wild, four-team, 11th hour scramble for the pennant. On the final day of the season, after sweeping the Phillies to take first place, the Cardinals prevailed, clinching the NL championship for the first time since 1946 by beating the lowly Mets after losing the first two games of the series. Led by Gibson, the undisputed ace of the staff since Broglio's trade, and McCarver, the Cardinals then defeated the New York Yankees in a seven-game World Series. 1914 E145 Crackerjack Branch Rickey; as a member of the St. ... Edward Raymond (Eddie) Stanky (September 3, 1916 - June 16, 1999), nicknamed The Brat, was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. ... John Joseph Keane (November 3, 1911 - January 6, 1967) was an American baseball player and manager. ... Leo Ernest Durocher (July 27, 1905 - October 7, 1991), nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. ... Robert L. Howsam (born 1918, Denver, Colorado) is a former executive in American professional sport who, in 1959, played a key role in establishing two leagues – the American Football League, which succeeded and merged with the National Football League, and baseballs Continental League, which never played a game but... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as...

Building the Miracle Mets

Devine's departure was a cause-celebre in St. Louis, but the damage had been done. Although he landed on his feet as the successor to George Weiss, president of the Mets, Devine was forced to leave his hometown and the only team he had ever worked for at the pinnacle of his career. But, while Devine never moved his family to New York, he tackled his new job with gusto. On his watch, the Mets began to strengthen their farm system, signing and developing young pitching talent: Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, and others. Meanwhile, Howsam left the Cardinals in January 1967 to become general manager of the Cincinnati Reds and Musial was named his successor. George Martin Weiss (June 23, 1895 - August 13, 1972) was one of Major League Baseballs most successful executives. ... George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944 in Fresno, California) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the major leagues in 1967 and retired in 1986. ... Jerome Martin Jerry Koosman (born December 23, 1942 in Appleton, Minnesota) is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies between 1967 and 1985. ... Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 5, 8, 10, 13, 18, 20, 24, 42 Name Cincinnati Reds (1958–present) Cincinnati Redlegs (1953-1958) Cincinnati Reds (1882-1953) Cincinnati Red Stockings (1876-1882) Ballpark Great American Ball Park (2003–present) Riverfront...

In 1967, the Cardinals won 101 games and ran away with the National League race, winning the pennant by 10½ games and beating the Boston Red Sox in a seven-game World Series. The core of the team was Devine's, but Howsam had contributed significantly to the roster with his 1966 acquisitions of NL MVP first baseman Orlando Cepeda and right fielder Roger Maris. At the other extreme, the Mets - most of their young pitching talent still ripening in the minors - lost 101 games and finished dead last. Baseball people took note of Devine's accomplishments in New York, however, and when Musial, a world champion general manager in his maiden season, decided he did not want to continue in the role, owner Busch reached out to Devine, secured his release from the Mets, and brought him back to St. Louis as executive vice president and general manager. The following are the baseball events of the year 1967 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 27, 42 Name Boston Red Sox (1908–present) Boston Americans (1901-1907) Ballpark Fenway Park (1912–present) Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds (1901-1911) Major league titles World Series titles (6) 2004... In the game of baseball, both amateur and professional, it is tradition to annually recognize the one player in the league who has contributed the most to the success of the players team. ... The position of the first baseman First base redirects here. ... Image:Orlando cepeda 59topps-390. ... Roger Eugene Maris (September 10, 1934 – December 14, 1985) was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who is primarily remembered for breaking Babe Ruths 34-year-old single-season home run record in 1961 on the last day of the season. ...

Second tour as St. Louis general manager

In 1968, led by Gibson's all-time record 1.12 earned run average, the Cardinals repeated as NL champions and held a three games to one lead in the World Series against the Detroit Tigers, but lost the final three contests to be denied back-to-back world titles. Devine was faced with retooling an aging roster. While Brock and Gibson would remain from the glory years, the Cardinals traded Flood, Cepeda, and McCarver during 1969 in their bid to get back to the top; in the Cepeda trade, Devine acquired Joe Torre, would win the 1971 NL batting average championship. But the Cardinals suffered long-term damage when Devine was ordered by Busch to trade star lefthanded pitcher Steve Carlton in 1972 after a contract dispute. Carlton, just entering his prime, was sent to the Phillies for pitcher Rick Wise, an uneven swap that would turn the last-place Phillies into contenders in the late 1970s. Meanwhile, the Cardinals became NL East also-rans. In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Name Detroit Tigers (1901–present) Ballpark Comerica Park (2000–present) Tiger Stadium (1912-1999) Bennett Park (1894-1911) Major league titles World Series titles (4) 1984 â€¢ 1968 â€¢ 1945 â€¢ 1935 AL Pennants (10) 2006 â€¢ 1984 â€¢ 1968 â€¢ 1945 1940... The following are the baseball events of the year 1969 throughout the world. ... Joseph Paul Torre (born July 18, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York) is currently the manager of the New York Yankees and a former Major League Baseball player in the National League for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, St. ... This article is currently under construction // This year in baseball Events January 31 - The new Special Veterans Committee selects seven men for enshrinement to the Hall of Fame: former players Dave Bancroft, Jake Beckley, Chick Hafey, Harry Hooper, Joe Kelley, Rube Marquard, and executive George Weiss. ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... Steven Norman Carlton (born December 22, 1944 in Miami, Florida) is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, from 1965 to 1988, who retired as one of the most successful pitchers to ever play the game. ... The following are the events of the year 1972 that happened world-wide throughout the sport of baseball. ... Richard Charles (Rick) Wise (born September 13, 1945 in Jackson, Michigan) is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons (1964, 1966-1982). ...

In 1978, Devine once again was replaced as Cardinals' general manager (this time by John Claiborne) and again he departed the organization, working for the Montreal Expos as a player development official and the Phillies as a scout. From, he was club president of the St. Louis football Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals) of the National Football League. But eventually he returned to baseball and the baseball Cardinals, where he served as a special scout and advisor to the current general manager, Walt Jocketty. John Claiborne (born 1940) is a former front-office executive in American Major League Baseball who also was an early president of the New England Sports Network (NESN), a regional cable television network primarily (80 percent) owned by the Boston Red Sox that telecasts Bosox baseball and Boston Bruins National... Major league affiliations National League (1969–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Washington Nationals (2005–present) Montreal Expos (1969-2004) Ballpark RFK Stadium (2005–present) Hiram Bithorn Stadium[3] (San Juan) (2003-2004) Olympic Stadium (Montreal) (1977-2004) Jarry Park (Montreal) (1969-1976) [3] The... Professional sports scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scouts organization. ... City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, The Birds, Big Red Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Owner Bill Bidwill General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference... The National Football League (NFL) is the largest and most prestigious professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. ... Walt Jocketty is the General Manager for the St. ...

Devine died in St. Louis at the age of 90 [1].

External Links

• Bing Devine Photographs in the Western Historical Manuscript Collection at the University of Missouri-St. Louis