Up For Grabs Cardinalpalooza: Joe Torre

Previously on the Cardinalpalooza: Scott Rolen | Willie McGee | Red Schoendienst | Enos Slaughter | Bruce Sutter | Albert Pujols | Ray Lankford | Mark McGwire | J.D. Drew | Colby Rasmus | Yadier Molina | Allen Craig | Stan Musial | Rick Ankiel | David Freese | Keith Hernandez | Steve Carlton

Joe Torre joined Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa this week in a parade of managers-to-the-Hall, but Torre's career was nearly as memorable as a player as it was with him riding the pine in a Yankees uniform. Managing a team to 4 rings in 6 seasons will fasttrack you to the Hall of Fame easier than 2300+ hits and 9 All-Star appearances as a player will, though.

Torre spent the majority of his playing days with the Braves, but he spent a good chunk of time with the Cardinals as well. Torre arrived in St. Louis after some pretty memorable '60s teams, which nearly parallels the way his Cardinal managerial tenure played out. He came in after the Whiteyball era ended, and... well, let's just say that the first half of the '90s are best forgotten if you're a Cards fan. It's interesting that he took over the Yankees the same season that Tony La Russa became the Cardinals manager. Torre won a ring that first season while La Russa led the Cardinals to their first playoff appearance since 1987. For the Yankees, it would be their first World Series appearance since 1981.

The list:

1971 Topps (NL Batting Leaders w/ Rico Carty and Manny Sanguillen) #62 [no creases but the card is pretty beat up as you can see by the scan]
1982 Topps Kmart #20 [4 available]
1991 Topps #351 [2 available]
1992 Topps #549 [4 available]
1993 Ted Williams #93
1993 Topps (w/ Lou Pinella) #512