Willie McGee’s name still sits in a special place in Cardinals lore, and one big reason is what he did against the Brewers on the sport’s biggest stage.
Back in 1982, Milwaukee was in the World Series representing the American League and chasing the first championship in franchise history. St.
Louis was the team standing in the way. The Cardinals rolled out a roster led by Ozzie Smith, Keith Hernandez, Joaquin Andujar, Tom Herr and a rookie outfielder in McGee, and it was that first-year player who swung one of the decisive games of the series.
In Game 3, McGee delivered the kind of all-around performance that changes a series. He hit two home runs, drove in four runs and made multiple strong defensive plays to help the Cardinals take a 6-2 win.
Without that production, St. Louis would have been left with just two runs.
Without his work in the field, Milwaukee likely would have had more.
#OTD 1982 - Willie McGee becomes a Cardinals legend!
The rookie has two home runs to drive in four runs and makes two great catches, including one in the 9th inning, as the St. Louis Cardinals wins 6 - 2 over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the World Series.
Joaquín Andújar… pic.twitter.com/ZgkYMnUmn3
- Augie Nash (@AugieNash) October 15, 2026
That victory pushed the Cardinals ahead 2-1 in the series, a huge step because they went on to lose the next two and fall behind 3-2 before ultimately winning the title in seven games. McGee added just one more RBI the rest of the way, while Hernandez, Herr and Darrell Porter handled much of the offensive load. Andujar was brilliant throughout the series as well, including in the Game 3 win alongside McGee’s big night.
For McGee, that World Series was just the start of a long and decorated Cardinals run. He became one of the most entertaining players in franchise history, flashing speed, defense and extra-base pop on his way to an MVP season in 1985 and eventual induction into the Cardinals Hall of Fame. Over 18 seasons, he picked up three Gold Gloves and four All-Star selections.
The Brewers and Cardinals didn’t become NL Central foes until 1998, but that 1982 Fall Classic gave the rivalry an early edge. Cardinals fans have had a championship-series memory to lean on ever since, and McGee remains one of the biggest reasons why Milwaukee still hasn’t claimed its first World Series crown.
In Other News...
Jordan Walkers Breakout Just Added Fuel To A Cardinals Debate
Jordan Walkers breakout season gave the Cardinals one of the few unquestioned bright spots in a mixed 2026 campaign, and it also put his name squarely into a conversation that feels bigger than one award. He was an All-Star, won the Home Run Derby, and finished as a Hank Aaron Award finalist, a run of recognition that underscored just how far his game had come after a strong year in St. Louis.
So it stood out when Walker was left off the finalists for the MLB Players Choice Awards Comeback Player of the Year, a group that included Sandy Alcantara, Martin Perez and Zack Wheeler. None of those pitchers were coming off injuries the previous season, but the omission still adds a little fuel to the debate around how Walkers season should be framed, and whether his leap was being viewed as a true comeback or something else entirely. [Read more 🡒]
Former Orioles Lefty Finds A New Chance After Brutal Setback
Nick Raquets path back to a mound took another turn this week, and it came with a bit of long-term security attached. The former Orioles left-hander has signed a two-year minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers, giving him a home while he works through the recovery from Tommy John surgery and the long rehab that follows.
Raquet is set to miss the entire 2027 season, but the deal keeps him in the organization with a clear runway toward a return in 2028. For a pitcher coming off such a brutal setback, the arrangement is as much about patience as it is opportunity, with Detroit already planning to have him in the mix once he is healthy again. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Linked To A Power Bat Who Could Solve A Tricky Need
The Cardinals have spent enough time searching for offense that a name like Eugenio Suarez makes immediate sense. A veteran third baseman with proven power, Suarez is coming off a productive stretch and could fit as a relatively cost-effective way for St. Louis to add some much-needed punch to the middle of the lineup while they sort out an infield picture that has room for another impact bat.
Money and timing make the fit interesting, too. St. Louis is weighing roster needs against financial caution, and the broader uncertainty around MLBs next labor landscape only adds another layer to any offseason plan. Suarez would not solve every issue on his own, but for a club trying to stay competitive without overcommitting, he looks like the kind of target that could help bridge a tricky gap. [Read more 🡒]