In terms of personality, knowledge and just being an engaging companion, Cardinals Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa compared fellow Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst to legendary Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck.
Upon hearing that the “Redhead” had died at age 95 Wednesday after he had been in declining health, La Russa remembered Buck’s lingering illness in 2002. “Even when you knew that he wasn’t feeling good and the quality of his life wasn’t nearly what it used to be, you got very selfish about saying that you still wanted him around,” he said. “He was one of the most beautiful individuals you would ever want to meet.