Herzog Quits as Manager of Cardinals

Whitey Herzog resigned today as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, saying he was embarrassed by a team that he had turned into one of the best of the 1980s.

Herzog, who took the Cards to the World Series three times in the 1980s, confirmed at a news conference what radio station KMOX already had reported in St. Louis.

“I made up my mind in San Francisco,” he said. “I was totally embarrassed by the way our team played. I just feel very badly for the ballclub, the organization and the fans.”

The Cardinals were in San Francisco last weekend and lost a three-game series by scores of 3-2, 4-0 and 9-2.

The Cardinals now are in San Diego for a series against the Padres. The radio station and television station KSDK had said sources told them that Herzog would announce his resignation. KMOX is the flagship station of the Cardinals.

The Cardinals, who won the World Series under Herzog in 1982 and were National League champions in 1985 and 1987, are 33-47 this season and in last place in the NL East, 14 1/2 games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I am the manager, and I take full responsibility,” said Herzog, in his 11th season as Cardinals manager.