Obituaries

Former Cardinal Great Dead at 94

Mr. Shortstop Marty Marion Starred with St. Louis for 13 Seasons.

Marty Marion, the Cardinals All-Star shortstop who was the 1944 National League MVP has passed away at age 93. Marion resided in Ladue during his entire tenure with the Cardinals and up until his death.

Marion was an eight-time All-Star and led National League shorstops in fielding four times. He was called both Slats (because he was so thin) and the Octopus because he swept up everything that came his way at short.

He broke into the Major Leagues in 1940 and was a long-time teammate of Stan Musial and Red Schoendienst.

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He also managed in the big leagues first with the Cardinals in 1951, then he was a player-manager for the St. Louis Browns in 1952-53. He wound up with the Chicago White Sox from 1954 to 1956. Upon retiring from the game, he became the general manager of the Stadium Club at the old Busch Stadium downtown. Marion was a very likeable host, and had time to visit with all the guests who frequented the club.

He was born in Richburg, SC and played high school ball in Atlanta. He joined the Cardinals organization as a free agent in 1936.

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Marion had numerous children and grand children who attended Ladue Schools. His grandson Marty Howell was a basketball star at Ladue and played for the Saint Louis University Billikens.


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