As the organizer of the American Football League over 30 years ago, Lamar Hunt’s activities helped positively change the game of football. Hunt is among those most responsible for the development, direction, and design of the modern-day National Football League. As the founder of the Chiefs franchise, Hunt helped provide Kansas City with a team… Read more »
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Category: Legends
John Kadlec
For over a half century, the name John Kadlec has been synonymous with football at the University of Missouri. As a star player, coach, recruiter, fundraiser, administrator and football color analyst, Kadlec has never tired of helping the institution he loves and the school that gave him the opportunity to earn a bachelor and master’s… Read more »
Tony La Russa
Few probably know this story about Tony La Russa. It’s when the past sees the future, says his thank-yous and, in the process, reminds everybody of why he was so successful. In essence, little details always mattered. In September 2012, almost a year after retiring as a big-league manager following 33 seasons in dugouts, La… Read more »
Stan Musial
Stan the Man In the minds of sports fans everywhere, Stan Musial and the St. Louis Cardinals are forever linked. Musial started with the Cardinals as a pitcher, but in 1941, he was converted to an outfielder/first baseman because of an arm injury. His major league career, exclusively with the Cardinals, stretched from 1941 to… Read more »
John “Buck” O’Neil
John Jordan O’Neil was nicknamed “Buck” after the co-owner of the Miami Giants, Buck O’Neal. His father played on a local team, thus exposing Buck to baseball at an early age. Buck O’Neil has been part of Kansas City’s baseball scene for more than half a century, dating back to 1936 and his first visit… Read more »
Bob Pettit
Considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Bob Pettit played 11 seasons in the NBA, all with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954-1965). He was the first recipient of the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award. He also won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award four times, a feat matched only by Kobe Bryant. He… Read more »
Gary Pinkel
Paging Gary Pinkel … you are wanted by the statues … Gary Pinkel. Indeed, had public address announcers of press boxes across the Show-Me State bellowed those words, they would have been met with applause. After all, he is the man who rode off into the sunset in 2015 as the winningest football coach in… Read more »
Ned Reynolds
In the movie classic “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Clarence, the guardian angel delivers two memorable lines, saying “Each man’s life touches so many other lives.” He goes on to say, “No man is a failure who has friends.” Perhaps those words best describe Edwin T. “Ned” Reynolds, the longtime sports director of Springfield-based KYTV. For… Read more »
Bill Rowe
Story by Mark Stillwell If the truth be told, Bill Rowe wouldn’t have minded a few more years coaching the Missouri State baseball Bears. After 19 seasons, his program was enjoying its longest run of sustained success when he answered the University’s call in 1982 to step aside from his diamond duties and spearhead the… Read more »
Albert Fred “Red” Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst has been in baseball for over 51 years. He coached St. Louis from 1961 to 1964 under manager Johnny Keane. He then began a 12-year stint as Cardinal manager, the longest anyone has occupied the position. As manager, he led the Cardinals to National League pennants in 1967 and 1968 and the World… Read more »
Mike Shannon
He’s the old big-leaguer with the most enjoyable stories, the kind that you could listen to all day. And Mike Shannon doesn’t mind at all. Baseball stories? They’re the best. Ask him about the 1967 season when he graciously moved from right field to third base to make room for Roger Maris, and he jokes,… Read more »
Osborne “Ozzie” Smith
Ozzie Smith retired after the 1996 season, the same year the St. Louis Cardinals retired his number, and in 19 seasons he compiled a .262 batting average, 2,460 hits, 580 stolen bases, 13 Gold Glove awards and was named to 15 All-Star teams. Smith set the following major league records for this position: most assists… Read more »
Charlie Spoonhour
“Spoon” was one of a kind. There are those who believe Charlie Spoonhour remembered every person he ever met, every conversation he ever had and every basketball game he ever saw. He loved basketball, he loved people, he loved life and was passionate about the St. Louis Cardinals. Spoon had a world class sense of… Read more »
Rod Staggs
Sometimes, Rod Staggs looks back on his career as a track & field coach in high schools, colleges and for Team USA and just shakes his head in awe. No, not about the incredible performances of his athletes. Instead, it’s far more important than that. “In real time, I was amazed with their performances,” Staggs… Read more »
Payne Stewart
Born in Springfield, MO on January 30, 1957, William Payne Stewart stepped onto the greens of Hickory Hills Country Club at the age of 3. His mother, Bee Payne, and his father Bill, impressed upon him the importance of practicing the game he would later use to elevate himself to legendary status. Stewart attended Greenwood… Read more »
Norm Stewart
Stewart grew up the son of a station owner around the small farming community of Shelbyville and graduated from high school there in 1952. After high school Stewart enrolled at the University of Missouri, becoming a standout in both basketball and baseball for the Tigers. Stewart was a two-time team captain, and all-Big Seven selection… Read more »