Mike Shannon, who won two World Series championships as a player with the Cardinals before embarking on a 50-year broadcasting career with the team, died on Sunday, the team announced. He was 83.
A St. Louis native, Shannon debuted with the Cardinals in 1962 at age 22. He saw increased playing time in ’64, playing a key role in guiding the team to a World Series victory over the Yankees in seven games. Shannon became a full-time starter in ’66, and again helped lead St. Louis to a title in ’67, this time over the Red Sox.
After his playing career was cut short by kidney disease, Shannon transitioned into broadcasting, pairing with Hall of Fame announcer Jack Buck on the team’s radio broadcast in 1972. He maintained the position for 50 years, retiring in 2021. Shannon was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in ’14.
