In this special Black History Month edition of Random Cardinal of the Week, we look at the man who revitalized the Cardinals' outfield during one of the toughest decades in franchise history. Arnold Ray "Bake" McBride didn't even play high school baseball in his hometown of Fulton, Missouri—yet he became a 37th-round draft pick who took the National League by storm.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Pitcher Who Could Run: How a college pitcher from Westminster showed up to an open tryout at Busch Stadium and was converted to the outfield on the spot because of his world-class sprint speed.

• A Historic 1974: A deep dive into the "Revelation" season where McBride hit .309, stole 30 bases, and became the first African-American player in St. Louis Cardinals history to win the NL Rookie of the Year.

• The 25-Inning Dash: The legendary story of McBride scoring the winning run in a seven-hour marathon against the Mets—the second-longest game in MLB history at the time.

• The .300 Club: The significance of the 1974 all-Black outfield—McBride, Lou Brock, and Reggie Smith—the first Cardinals unit since 1902 to have every member hit over .300.

• A Misunderstood Legacy: Addressing the "bad rap" McBride faced regarding his injuries and his quiet nature, as defended by his mentor and teammate, Lou Brock.

From his iconic Afro and effortless speed in St. Louis to his "Shake and Bake" years in Philadelphia and his eventual induction into the Phillies Wall of Fame, Bake McBride’s journey is the ultimate story of a local kid proving everyone wrong.

Key Statistics & Facts:

• Accolades: 1974 NL Rookie of the Year, 1976 All-Star, 1980 World Series Champion.

• Cardinals History: One of only two Black Cardinals to ever win Rookie of the Year (alongside Vince Coleman).

• The Record: Held the Westminster College record for the 220-yard dash.

Could things actually be worse in St. Louis than they are on the South Side?

This week, Scott Plaza is joined by Sean Anderson (@Sean_W_Anderson) of CHGO White Sox (@CHGO_WhiteSox) to perform a "rebuild wellness check" on two of baseball's most storied (and currently struggling) franchises.

While Cardinals fans are bracing for a "reset," White Sox fans are finally seeing light at the end of a very dark, 121-loss tunnel.

In this episode, we dive into:

Major League Caliber?: Scott compares the Cardinals' young core (Winn, Weatherholt, Burleson) to the "slow trickle" of talent the Sox saw in 2025.

The Murakami Shock: How the White Sox landed Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami and what it says about their front office's new direction.

The Luis Robert Jr. Autopsy: Reflecting on the "Era of Ifs" and whether the trade to the Mets was a masterstroke or a missed opportunity.

The Fedde Reunion: Why an old friend is heading back to Chicago after a stint in St. Louis.

The 2026 Wager: Scott and Sean put a CHGO Diehard membership on the line—who wins more games this season?

Whether you're a Redbird hopeful or a South Side survivor, this episode breaks down the thin line between a "reset" and a total collapse.Follow the Show:

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The St. Louis Cardinals are heading to Jupiter, Florida, and we’re building the ultimate “packing list” for the players who need a big spring. Andy, Matt, Jonathan, and Scott each pick position players, pitchers, and under-the-radar guys and decide what survival item and luxury item they need to take the next step in 2026.

We talk names like Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, Matthew Liberatore, Ivan Herrera, Tink Hence, and more — plus rookies, non-roster invitees, and career minor leaguers who need to pack for the long haul.

Then in honor of Black History Month, we spotlight a lesser-known Cardinals figure whose story deserves more attention and share one key takeaway for fans.

If you love Cardinals talk with a fun twist, this one’s for you.

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