Whitey Herzog's baseball journey is complete.
The former St. Louis Cardinals manager earned election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Monday, joining former umpire Doug Harvey as selections on the Veterans Committee ballot.
Herzog, 78, and Harvey, 79, were elected on the Managers/Umpires ballot. Nobody gained election on the Executives/Pioneers ballot.
"Obviously it's always a banner day when we can announce inductees into the Hall of Fame," said Brad Horn, the Hall's senior director of communications and education. "Whitey Herzog has been among the discussion of all-time great managers since retiring. Today is when his track record allowed the doors to open for him.
"Doug is an umpire who was widely respected by players, his peers and media," Horn continued. "As an arbiter, that role is designed to be impartial. To earn election Hall of Fame election as the ninth umpire in history shows what reverence people in the game have for him."
Herzog managed 18 seasons in the majors, 11 with the St. Louis Cardinals, five with the Kansas City Royals and one each with the Texas Rangers and California Angels.
He also played eight seasons in the majors.
As a manager, Herzog won six division titles (three with Kansas City, three with St. Louis), three National League championships (all with St. Louis) and he led the Cardinals to the 1982 World Series championship.
"It took a little while, but I'm elated and rather happy," Herzog said at a media conference in St. Louis on Monday.
To earn induction into the Hall, a person on the Managers/Umpires ballot needed 12 of 16 possible votes to earn enshrinement.
Harvey received 15 votes (93.8 percent) and Herzog 14 votes (87.5).
Former manager Danny Murtaugh was next on the list with eight votes.
On the Executives/Pioneers ballot, one needed to receive nine of 12 votes to gain induction to the Hall.
Former Detroit Tigers owner John Fetzer was closest, gaining eight votes (66.7 percent). Marvin Miller, the former head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, and former New York Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert were next with seven votes apiece (58.3).
Harvey and Herzog will be enshrined as part of the Hall's Induction Weekend on July 25 at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown. The two will be joined by any electees from the Baseball Writers' Association of America voting. Those results will be announced Jan. 6.
"I first thought about the Hall of Fame after I quit managing," Herzog said. "I really never, ever as a player, manager or executive gave any thought to the Hall of Fame.
"It was just in the last few years when I was only missing by a few votes that I thought, maybe I do deserve it."
Herzog finished his 18-year managing career at 1,281-1,125, a winning percentage of .532.
He's the third manager in two years to gain induction as Billy Southworth and Dick Williams, also Veterans Committee selections, were enshrined in 2008.
Harvey becomes the ninth umpire to gain enshrinement and the first since Nestor Chylak in 1999.
Harvey umpired in the National League from 1962-92 and took part in six All-Star Games, nine National League Championship Series and five World Series.
"(Umpires) aren't a part of a team and they stand out as individuals more than any other part of the game," Horn said. "For him to stand out and to get 15 of a possible 16 votes is an incredibly high honor. To do it as an umpire and only the ninth in history is very significant."
During his 31-year career in the majors, Harvey worked 4,670 games. He served as a crew chief in 18 of his seasons.
In 1974, Harvey was ranked as the best umpire in the NL by the Major League Players' Association. He was also the last umpire hired in the majors who did not attend umpire school.
Harvey, who was traveling Monday, released a statement to the Hall of Fame.
"I am very touched by this honor," he said. "I accept this election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on behalf of all umpires _ from the minor leagues to the major leagues _ and for those who umpire at every level."
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P.J. Harmer can be reached at pharmer@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 229.
