Hubbry Logo
Tom HerrTom HerrMain
Open search
Tom Herr
Community hub
Tom Herr
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Tom Herr
Tom Herr
Tom Herr
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Thomas Mitchell Herr (born April 4, 1956) is an American former professional baseball second baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and New York Mets, from 1979 to 1991. Although he never won a Gold Glove Award, Herr retired with the highest all-time career fielding percentage for National League second basemen (.989), a figure that was matched and surpassed a few years later when Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg retired.[1][2]

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]

Herr started his minor league career with the Johnson City Cardinals in 1975. Two years later, he led the league with 156 hits, 80 runs, 50 stolen bases, and 515 at-bats while playing for St. Petersburg.[3] Herr played in the 1982, 1985, and 1987 World Series – all with the Cardinals, finishing fifth in the MVP voting and making his only appearance in the All-Star Game in 1985. During the 1985 season, he set career highs in nearly every statistical category, including 110 RBIs which came along with only 8 home runs. A rare feat in the modern era of baseball, Herr remains the last NL player to drive in 100 or more runs in a season while hitting fewer than 10 home runs. Paul Molitor is the most recent AL and MLB player to drive in 100 or more runs in a season while hitting fewer than 10 home runs (9 home runs, 113 RBI in 1996). Early in the 1988 season he was traded to the Twins for Tom Brunansky.

In a 13-season career, he batted .271 with 28 home runs and 574 RBIs in 1,514 games. He had 1,450 career hits in 5,349 at bats. An excellent second baseman, Herr recorded a career .989 fielding percentage. He is perhaps best remembered for hitting a walk-off grand slam in extra innings against the New York Mets on April 18, 1987. After Herr hit the grand slam many fans at Busch Stadium threw their stadium give-away seat cushions onto the field in celebration. The grand slam is also well known for Jack Buck's memorable call on KMOX radio. [4]

Management career

[edit]

Herr was hired in November 2004 as the first manager of his hometown Lancaster Barnstormers, a team in the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, and led the team to the 2006 Atlantic League championship. His success in Lancaster piqued the interest of the Washington Nationals, resulting in a managerial position with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns for the 2007 season. The Suns finished last in the Southern Atlantic League in 2007 with a 55–81 record. Following the 2007 season, Herr left the Nationals organization after his request to manage their Double-A affiliate, the Harrisburg Senators, was refused. After leaving the Nationals, he sought employment with other major league organizations, including the St. Louis Cardinals, without success. Herr then sought to return to the Barnstormers as their manager for the 2008 season, but lost out to Von Hayes. In December 2008, the Barnstormers announced that Hayes has hired Herr to be his bench coach in 2009.

Family

[edit]

Herr's son, Aaron, played professional baseball.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tom Herr

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Thomas Mitchell Herr (born April 4, 1956) is an American former professional baseball second baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 13 seasons from 1979 to 1991. Herr spent the bulk of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1979 to 1987, where he established himself as a reliable contact hitter and defensive specialist at second base, compiling a career batting average of .271 with 1,450 hits, 28 home runs, and 574 runs batted in across all teams. A switch-hitter known for his line-drive approach and on-base skills, he batted .302 in 1985—his All-Star season—while setting personal bests with 180 hits, 110 RBIs, eight home runs, and 97 runs scored, a feat that made him the last NL player to drive in 100+ runs with fewer than 10 home runs, helping the Cardinals reach the National League Championship Series. Earlier, Herr contributed to the Cardinals' 1982 World Series championship, appearing in all seven games and batting .160 with 5 RBI, including a key ground-rule double in Game 2 that scored the Cardinals' first run. He also played for the Minnesota Twins (1988), Philadelphia Phillies (1989–1990), New York Mets (1990–1991), and San Francisco Giants (1991), finishing his MLB tenure with a .209 average in 102 games before retiring at age 35. After his playing days, Herr transitioned into coaching and management in the and independent baseball. He served as an assistant coach at his , Hempfield High School in , before managing the independent Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League from 2005 to 2006 and 2009 to 2010, leading them to a league championship in 2006 with a 75–51 record. He also managed the Class A in 2007, posting a 69–70 record. Herr retired from baseball management in 2010 and later authored the book A View from Second Base in , reflecting on his career. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2020 as a fan-voted selection. Herr is the father of Aaron Herr, a former player and coach.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Early Years and Education

Thomas Mitchell Herr was born on April 4, 1956, in . He was the younger son of Paul Herr, an teacher who had attended Millersville State Teachers College, and Thelma Herr (née Alexander), a ; the couple had married in 1949. Herr grew up in the nearby community of East Petersburg alongside his older brother Jeff, where the family backyard served as an early training ground for his developing athletic skills, including games of and practice at switch-hitting. Herr attended Hempfield High School in Landisville, , a suburb of Lancaster, and graduated in 1974. There, he emerged as a multi-sport standout, earning recognition as a three- or four-sport athlete who excelled across disciplines. In football, he served as the starting , leveraging his speed and strong arm; in , he averaged 17.2 points per game as a junior and 23.3 as a senior, ultimately becoming the school's all-time leading scorer. On the diamond, playing second base as a junior and as a senior, he batted .384 and .417 respectively, helping lead the team to the Lancaster-Lebanon League Championship and earning Athlete of the Year honors. He also competed in track events, winning sprints when his schedule permitted. Reflecting on his high school versatility, Herr later stated, "All my life I’ve triumphed at sports. Back in Lancaster at Hempfield High I starred in track, , , football. You name it. If you could kick it, throw it, bat it, catch it or run after it, I was good."

College and Amateur Baseball

After graduating from Hempfield High School, Tom Herr enrolled at the in the fall of 1974, intending to pursue studies while competing in both and for the university's athletic programs. During the summer prior to his enrollment, Herr showcased his skills in with the Lancaster Post 34 team, where he batted .430 and helped lead the squad to the state playoffs. His standout performance culminated in selection to the state , which drew attention from professional scouts despite limited prior exposure during his high school years. Herr did not ultimately play any games for the Delaware Blue Hens baseball team, as he transitioned to shortly after arriving on campus. On August 22, 1974, he signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted , recommended by scout Tim Thompson, under a contract worth $19,500 that included a and his first-year salary. This agreement marked the end of his amateur career and the beginning of his professional journey as a .

MLB Playing Career

Minor Leagues and Major League Debut

After signing with the Cardinals as an undrafted amateur free agent on August 22, 1974, following his graduation from Hempfield High School, Tom Herr was assigned to their system. He began his professional career in 1975 with the Rookie-level Johnson City Cardinals of the , where he hit .308 in 42 games, primarily at second base, while stealing 10 bases. Herr advanced to St. Petersburg Cardinals in the for the 1976 season, batting .269 in 82 games with 12 stolen bases, showing promise as a and base stealer despite a modest . In 1977, he returned to St. Petersburg for a full season, improving to .303 with a .382 , one , and a league-leading 50 stolen bases in 65 attempts; that year, he earned the Cardinals' player of the month honors for May and was selected to the team. Following the 1977 season, the Cardinals added Herr to their 40-man roster, signaling his rising prospect status. Promoted to Double-A with the in 1978, Herr hit .293 in 89 games, including three home runs and 33 stolen bases overall that year across levels, before a late-July call-up to Triple-A Springfield Redbirds, where he batted .279 in 33 games with strong plate discipline (21 walks to seven strikeouts). He spent the full 1979 season at Springfield, posting a .293 average with six home runs and 29 stolen bases in 109 games, though he started slowly before heating up in the second half; his consistent defense and speed earned him another September call-up to the majors. Herr made his major league debut on August 13, 1979, as a for the Cardinals in a 3-2 home win over the Chicago Cubs at , scoring a run in his only action of the game without an at-bat. Over the remainder of the 1979 season, he appeared in 14 games as a utility , mostly at second base, going 2-for-10 (.200) with one but limited to just 12 plate appearances due to the established lineup. In 1980, Herr saw expanded but still sporadic action in 76 games, batting .248 with nine while splitting time between second base (58 games) and (14 games), adjusting to major league pitching as a versatile reserve amid competition for infield spots.

St. Louis Cardinals Tenure

Tom Herr solidified his position as the everyday for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1981 to 1987, becoming a cornerstone of the team's infield under manager after initial seasoning. During this period, he appeared in 924 games, batting .277 with 951 hits, 461 runs scored, 18 home runs, and 416 RBIs, while maintaining a .353 that underscored his value as a table-setter. Defensively, Herr excelled at second base, posting a career fielding percentage of .989 and leading the National League in assists (374) and double plays (74) in 1981, while topping the league in double plays three times overall during his tenure (1981, 1984, and 1986); his consistent range and sure hands earned recognition as Gold Glove-caliber play, though he never won the award. He was also considered for the 1985 NLCS MVP after a strong series, finishing fifth in the league's MVP voting that year. Herr's pinnacle came in the 1985 season, when he earned his only selection and a at second base. Batting .302 with 180 hits—including 38 doubles, 8 home runs, and 97 runs scored—he drove in a career-high 110 RBIs and posted a .379 OBP, drawing 80 walks in 159 games to anchor the Cardinals' lineup as their primary . This performance helped propel to 101 wins and the NL pennant, with Herr's ability to get on base frequently (.379 OBP) setting the table for power hitters like Jack Clark and . Herr contributed to three World Series appearances with the Cardinals during the 1980s, showcasing his postseason poise despite mixed results at the plate. In the 1982 World Series, which St. Louis won over the Brewers, he batted .160 but drove in 5 RBIs across 7 games, including a key two-run single in Game 3. The 1985 postseason featured his standout .333 average (7-for-21) in the NLCS against the , highlighted by a in Game 3 and 6 RBIs overall, though he hit .154 in the World Series loss to the . In the 1987 World Series defeat to the , Herr batted .250 with 7 hits and his only postseason in Game 1. Integral to the Cardinals' "Whiteyball" era under , Herr embodied the club's emphasis on speed, defense, and situational hitting, often leading off to maximize base-running opportunities and on-base chances—exemplified by his .379 OBP in that supported the team's aggressive style and three pennants in six years.

Later Teams and Retirement

After spending nine seasons with the Cardinals, where he established himself as a reliable and , Tom Herr's career shifted to several teams in his final years, marked by trades and diminishing playing time. On April 22, 1988, the Cardinals traded Herr to the in exchange for . With the Twins that season, Herr appeared in 86 games, batting .263 with 80 hits, including 16 doubles, 1 , and 21 RBIs, while stealing 10 bases. Later that October 24, the Twins dealt Herr, along with Tom Nieto and Eric Bullock, to the Phillies for Shane Rawley and $125,000 in cash. Herr's tenure with the Phillies began strongly in 1989, where he signed a contract extension and served as the primary , playing a career-high 151 games while hitting .287 with 161 hits, 25 doubles, 2 home runs, and 37 RBIs. However, injuries and team struggles limited his impact in subsequent years. In 1990, he split time between the Phillies and after being traded to the latter on August 30 for minor leaguers Eldred and Riesgo; overall that year, Herr played 146 games across both teams, batting .261 with 143 hits, 26 doubles, 5 home runs, and 60 RBIs. With the Mets specifically, he appeared in 27 games, hitting .250. Entering the 1991 season at age 35, Herr re-signed with the Mets on a one-year, $1.4 million contract but struggled offensively, batting .194 in 70 games with 30 hits, 7 doubles, 1 home run, and 15 RBIs before losing his starting role in July. The Mets released him on August 5, after which he signed as a utility infielder with the San Francisco Giants on August 15, playing 32 games and batting .250 with 15 hits and 1 double. The Giants released Herr on October 6, 1991, effectively ending his playing career. With no further offers in 1992, Herr retired, concluding a 13-year MLB tenure in 1,514 games with a .271 batting average, 1,450 hits (including 241 doubles), 28 home runs, and 574 RBIs; he reflected on his longevity as a switch-hitting contact specialist who maintained consistent production without relying on power.

Post-Playing Career

Coaching and Managing Roles

After retiring from playing in 1991, Tom Herr transitioned into coaching roles, beginning with volunteer work at his , Hempfield High School in Landisville, , where he served as an assistant coach for 12 seasons alongside other sports like football and . This period allowed Herr to stay connected to the game while prioritizing family, declining a managerial offer from the St. Louis Cardinals organization to remain local. In 2005, Herr entered management as the inaugural manager of the Lancaster Barnstormers, an independent Atlantic League team based in his hometown; he guided the expansion club to a 64-76 record that year before leading them to a 75-51 mark and the league championship in 2006. His emphasis on fundamentals and player development, drawn from his own MLB experience as a defensive specialist at second base, helped build a competitive roster in the independent circuit. Herr's minor league managing debut came in 2007 with the , the Class A affiliate of the , where he posted a 55-81 record amid an organizational emphasis on player development over winning that frustrated him and ultimately led to his departure after one season. He returned to the Barnstormers in 2009 as a coach under manager before taking over midseason with a 28-27 record, then managing the full 2010 campaign to a 63-76 finish. These stints highlighted Herr's ability to foster team unity in resource-limited environments, often mentoring younger players including his son Aaron during the 2009-2010 seasons.

Other Professional Involvements

Following his retirement from managing in 2010, Tom Herr has maintained involvement in through media appearances and alumni events. In 2020, he contributed to the documentary Birds of a Different Game: The '80s Cardinals, sharing insights on the team's style of play during that era alongside former teammates like John Tudor and . Herr was elected to the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2020 as part of a class that included John Tudor and Bill White, selected by fan voting and the Cardinals' committee, respectively. The induction ceremony, delayed due to the , took place in August 2021 at , where Herr received his red jacket and delivered a speech thanking fans for recognizing his contributions during the 1980s. He has since participated in Cardinals Hall of Fame events, including gatherings that celebrate the franchise's history. In September 2025, Herr returned to for the 40th anniversary reunion of the , joining former teammates for festivities at . During the event, he reflected in media interviews on his standout 1985 season, where he batted .302 with 110 RBIs and earned honors, describing it as a pivotal year that elevated his career profile.

Personal Life

Family

Tom Herr married Kim Garman, his high school prom date and fellow Hempfield High School graduate, on January 7, 1978. The couple has shared a long-term partnership, raising their family in , where they have remained based after Herr's playing career. Throughout Herr's MLB tenure, Kim and the family provided steadfast support, adapting to frequent relocations due to trades, such as the 1987 move from to , where the family joined him after the school year. Their involvement extended to Herr's broader community and faith circles, offering a stable foundation amid professional demands. The Herrs have two sons: , born March 7, 1981, and , born June 16, 1986. followed his father's path into , selected by the as a first-round supplemental pick (40th overall) in the 2000 MLB Draft out of Hempfield High School. He played 12 seasons in the minors and independent leagues before retiring and transitioning to roles in instruction. , an , played collegiately at the and briefly in independent leagues, including with the Lancaster Barnstormers in 2013, but ultimately pursued a career outside . Herr and Kim are grandparents to at least two grandchildren: Rylee, the of , and Gavin, the son of , as noted in 2019. In his post-playing years, Herr has embraced the role of grandfather, cherishing time with the next generation alongside Kim in their Lancaster home.

Faith and Community Activities

During his major league career in the early 1980s, Tom Herr converted to while playing for the Cardinals, influenced by Christian teammates including , , and Todd Worrell, who formed an active study group in 1985. This spiritual awakening led to public expressions of his faith, such as participating in locker-room studies and pre-game prayers with teammates. Herr contributed to faith-based writings, including a personal article in Guideposts magazine recounting his journey and reliance on scripture during challenging times like his 1988 trade to the Minnesota Twins, titled "You're Always on God's Team." In the piece, he emphasized God's plan amid career uncertainties, drawing from biblical verses like Romans 8:28. His family's shared faith values were evident, as his wife Kim led a prayer group with other Cardinals' wives, reinforcing their collective spiritual commitment. In his hometown of , Herr has engaged in community activities centered on youth development through sports, coaching local teams in leagues such as the New Era Tournament (now LNP Tournament). He led Hempfield Black to the Midget division championship in 2002 and has coached at Hempfield High School in , football, and , fostering skills and confidence among young athletes. Additionally, he threw the at the 75th LNP Tournament Midget championship game in 2023, supporting the event's role in promoting local youth . Post-retirement, Herr has participated in philanthropic efforts, including speaking engagements at churches and hosting clinics that emphasize character development alongside athletic instruction. These activities, continuing into 2025, align with his faith-driven focus on mentoring youth in Lancaster through family-oriented and athletics-based initiatives.

References

  1. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/herrto01.shtml
  2. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/tom-herr/
  3. https://lancastersportshalloffame.com/inductee/tom-herr
  4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Tom_Herr
  5. https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-2020-hall-of-fame-inductees-announced
  6. https://www.mlb.com/player/tom-herr-115839
  7. https://lancasteronline.com/sports/baseball/lnp-sports-365-happy-birthday-tom-herr/article_1f5632bc-d8d7-11e4-9b50-8fde4fd1b9de.html
  8. https://guideposts.org/positive-living/entertainment/sports/tommy-herr-youre-always-on-gods-team/
  9. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=herrto01
  10. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=herr--001tho
  11. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=herrto01&t=b&year=1979
  12. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN197908130.shtml
  13. https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1982_WS.shtml
  14. https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1985_NLCS.shtml
  15. https://lancasteronline.com/sunday/in-the-spotlight-tom-herr-enjoys-role-as-grandpa-but-hes-still-itching-to-get/article_8d5011ee-2bb1-11e9-bd69-a3cb0869a869.html
  16. https://atlanticleague.com/content/uploads/2025/04/ALPB-Record-Book-4.25.25.pdf
  17. https://www.mlb.com/news/1980s-cardinals-documentary-on-mlb-network
  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQvvnSzTYDs
  19. https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/fans/hof-vote
  20. https://www.nyrdcast.com/2025/08/cardinals-announce-details-for-2025-hall-of-fame-weekend/
  21. https://lancasteronline.com/sports/local_sports/st-louis-cardinals-hall-of-famer-tom-herrs-greatest-season-remains-a-rarity-40-years/article_286252e4-2228-4817-94a0-dce52ef82b09.html
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC8KmSNRUAE
  23. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=herr--001aar
  24. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=herr--001jor
  25. https://lancasteronline.com/sports/jordan-herr-gets-his-shot-in-the-minors/article_3a675adb-a09c-5571-ad25-c7db38531279.html
  26. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jordan-herr/292
  27. https://lancasteronline.com/sports/baseball/lnptournament/herr-family-reflects-on-their-lnp-tournament-experience/article_0d5e4b0a-9f32-11e9-a1fd-43f747e3780d.html
  28. https://lancastersportshalloffame.com/noteworthy/first-pitch
  29. https://www.johnpielli.com/jppb-show-archive.html
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.