Reitz was
called "The Zamboni Machine" in St. Louis for the way he sucked ground
balls off the carpet. In both of his first two seasons, he led NL third basemen in
fielding percentage (.974 in 1973 and '74), but captured his Gold Glove in 1975.
His nine errors at third in 1977 were the fewest ever in the NL, and he bettered
that mark by committing just eight miscues in 1980. A handsome figure with long,
dark hair, Reitz was with the Cardinals from 1972 to 1980, except for 1976, which
he spent in San Francisco. A consistent yet unspectacular hitter, in 1977 he smashed
17 homers, by far his greatest show of power.
(JCA)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»July 7, 1975: In an 8–6 loss to the Cardinals, Giants catcher Marc Hill -- as well as the Cards -- ties a mark last accomplished in 1905 when he tags out three Cards runners at home on throws from the outfield. The three Cards dealt out are: Ken Reitz, in the first inning. on a throw from LF Gary Thomasson. Reitz tries scoring from 2B on a Mike Tyson single; Ron Fairly in the 6th inning thrown out by RF Bobby Murcer on a Tyson fly ball; Bake McBride in the 7th thrown out by LF Chris Arnold when he tries to score on a Willie Davis fly.
»June 28, 1977: Ken Reitz knocks in eight runs—half on a grand slam—in a 13–3 St. Louis win over Pittsburgh.
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