Taking Flight

Overview

Veteran sportswriter Rob Rains uncovers the untold stories of influential figures like George Kissell and Dave Ricketts, whose dedication and expertise shaped generations of Cardinals players and managers. Explore the team's innovative player development system, its shrewd scouting strategies, and the unwavering commitment to a team-first philosophy.

From legendary leaders to unsung heroes, Taking Flight celebrates the people and principles that have propelled the Cardinals to the pinnacle of baseball success. Learn how the team identifies, nurtures, and empowers talent, creating a legacy of excellence that extends far beyond the field. This is a must-read for baseball fans, sports enthusiasts, and anyone seeking inspiration from a true dynasty.

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Taking Flight: The St. Louis Cardinals and the Building of Baseball’s Best Franchise

By Rob Rains / Foreword by Whitey Herzog

Contact: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312-676-4256, b.ames@triumphbooks.com

The St. Louis Cardinals won an MLB-leading 100 games in 2015. While the players on the field played the games, some would argue they were won by the hundreds of people in the organization who never step on the diamond. Making the postseason 12 times in the last 16 seasons doesn’t happen by accident. The success of the St. Louis Cardinals stems from the efforts of the entire franchise.

In Taking Flight: The St. Louis Cardinals and the Building of Baseball’s Best Franchise (Triumph Books, April 2016), veteran sportswriter Rob Rains looks at the inner workings of the Cardinals’ front office, farm system and methodology for player development. Rains goes in depth in his analysis of some of the signature examples of the organization at work. Highlights include:

• A heartfelt foreword from former Cardinals manager and Baseball Hall of Fame member Whitey Herzog
• The story of George Kissell joining the team and developing “The Cardinal Way”
• What St. Louis’s scouting department looks for in a young player beyond top athletic abilities
• Behind the scenes looks at how the Cardinals’ organization differs from others in the league, and why players value the chance to experience it
• How the Cardinals created the first farm system and how it grew to become a model for the entire league.

Taking Flight: The St. Louis Cardinals and the Building of Baseball’s Best Franchise provides an inside look at why St. Louis is known as Baseball Heaven. From the front office to the dugout, and everywhere in between, players learn to play the game the right way and the fans love them for it. This great new title offers everything Cardinals fans needs to better appreciate the team they love.  

About the Author:

Rob Rains is the author of 31 books, mostly on baseball and many about the St. Louis Cardinals. His list of biographies or autobiographies of Cardinals includes Tony La Russa, Albert Pujols, Mark McGwire, Jack Buck, Red Schoendienst and Ozzie Smith. He is a lifetime member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and a lifetime member of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

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