A career that took decades to be inducted into Cooperstown will now be celebrated for generations, as long as statues stand outside the ballpark the Cardinals call home.
Ted Simmons' No. 23 will be retired by the Cardinals during a ceremony July 31 that begins with the unveiling of a bronze statue of "Simba" alongside the "Wizard" and other Hall of Fame peers at Busch Stadium.
The team announced the decision Thursday morning and Simmons, when reached by telephone, said, "This is incredible stuff. This is way beyond my greatest expectations. Way beyond my fondest dreams."
