Mike Shannon, a beloved broadcaster for the St. Louis Cardinals and a member of the team’s 1964 World Series championship squad, has passed away at the age of 82. Shannon had been battling cancer for several years before his death on July 18, 2021.
Shannon was born in St. Louis in 1939 and attended Christian Brothers College High School before signing with the Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1958. He made his major league debut in 1962 and spent his entire playing career with the Cardinals, playing primarily as an outfielder and first baseman.
Shannon was a key member of the Cardinals’ 1964 World Series championship team, batting .304 with two home runs and eight RBIs in the seven-game series against the New York Yankees. He also played in the 1967 and 1968 World Series, both of which the Cardinals lost to the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox, respectively.
After retiring from playing in 1970, Shannon joined the Cardinals’ broadcast team as a color commentator alongside legendary play-by-play announcer Jack Buck. Shannon quickly became a fan favorite for his folksy, down-to-earth style and his deep knowledge of the game.
Shannon’s broadcasting career spanned more than five decades, during which he called some of the most memorable moments in Cardinals history, including Ozzie Smith’s game-winning home run in Game 5 of the 1985 National League Championship Series and David Freese’s walk-off home run in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.
In addition to his broadcasting work, Shannon was also active in the St. Louis community, serving as a board member for several local charities and organizations. He was also a frequent guest at Cardinals fan events and was known for his willingness to sign autographs and take photos with fans.
Shannon’s passing has been met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, players, and colleagues alike. Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. called Shannon “a St. Louis icon” and praised him for his “unwavering loyalty to the Cardinals organization and the city of St. Louis.”
Former Cardinals pitcher and fellow broadcaster Al Hrabosky said of Shannon, “He was a mentor to me and a friend to everyone he met. He loved the Cardinals and he loved the fans, and he will be deeply missed.”
Shannon’s legacy as a player, broadcaster, and ambassador for the Cardinals will live on for generations of fans to come. His folksy charm, encyclopedic knowledge of the game, and unwavering love for the Cardinals made him a beloved figure in St. Louis and beyond. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
