MLB Notes: Cardinals honor 1964 World Series champions

Lou Brock remembered September 1964 as a time when the St. Louis Cardinals began a salary drive. That’s also when they started their path to the World Series championship.

Brock and Game 7 winner Bob Gibson were among members of the team that beat the Yankees who were honored Monday before St. Louis opened an interleague series against New York.

A half-century ago, the Cardinals made up a 6 1/2-game deficit in the last 12 games on fading Philadelphia.

“You could be in last place, but you would see some of the greatest baseball plays in September because you’re all looking for a raise,” Brock said.

“And it just caught fire. Momentum, and it never stopped,” he said.

Asked for his best memory from 1964, Gibson replied: “Beating the Yankees, that was the best part. How we did it didn’t matter.”

Between 1949 and ’64, the Yankees won nine titles and were in the World Series 14 of 16 seasons.

Gibson, Brock and Red Schoendienst, a coach on that team, are in the Hall of Fame.

Mets make moves

The New York Mets fired hitting coach Dave Hudgens and cut reliever Jose Valverde after a 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.

The 57-year-old Hudgens was in his fourth season as the Mets’ hitting coach.

Valverde gave up four runs while getting only two outs in the eighth and ninth innings as the Pirates took the lead. The 36-year-old righty was 1-1 with a 5.66 ERA.

Pence’s ride nabbed

San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence said his customized motor scooter, which he rides a few blocks to every home game, was stolen outside a restaurant in San Francisco.

Pence said he did not file a police report. He said he’s willing to forgive the culprit, offering a signed bobblehead if the scooter is returned – no questions asked.

Clearing the bases

Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully missed Monday’s game and will miss calling today’s Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Cincinnati Reds because he has a chest cold. … Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis has gone on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle. … The New York Mets placed speedy outfielder Eric Young Jr. on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right hamstring.