Cardinals World Series Champion, Rookie Sensation With Career Cut Short, Dies

BusinessSportsMoneyCardinals World Series Champion, Rookie Sensation With Career Cut Short, DiesByPeter Chawaga,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Chawaga is a writer and editor covering Major League Baseball.Follow AuthorMay 09, 2026, 09:12am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Baseball: Closeup of St Louis Cardinals team logo on jersey during national anthem before game vs Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Washington, DC 4/24/2013 CREDIT: Simon Bruty (Photo by Simon Bruty /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X156434 TK1 R1 F403 )Sports Illustrated via Getty ImagesThe St. Louis Cardinals persist as one of Major League Baseball’s oldest franchises, with a number of history making players who have represented them over the years.And with 11 World Series championships and 19 National League pennants in its history, the team has had a number of title winning players contribute to that history over the years as well. On Friday, fans received news that one of the team’s former championship players had died.“I'm sad to report that former Cardinals pitcher Dick Hughes has died at the age of 88,” Augie Nash reported on X. “Dick debuted with the Cardinals in 1966 and spent his entire 3-year career with the team.”ForbesPhillies’ Don Mattingly Sends 2-Word Trea Turner Message As Concerns MountBy Peter ChawagaSt. Louis Cardinals Former Rookie Sensation And MVP Contender Dick Hughes DiesHughes, who was born in Arkansas, began his professional pitching career in 1958, though he did not debut with the Cardinals until eight years later, at age 28. However, his long-awaited debut was quickly followed up by a sensational rookie campaign in 1967.Over 27 starts in that season, Hughes posted a 2.67 ERA with 161 strikeouts and a 0.954 WHIP that was the best in that National League. He pitched nine World Series innings for the...