[RCOW] Bake McBride: The Rookie Revelation

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.