Mike Shannon Named a Missouri Sports Legend
To be a Hall of Famer is one thing but to be named a Sports Legend in the State of Missouri is another. I recently received an invitation to travel to Springfield, Missouri to attend the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Banquet to witness former St. Louis Cardinal Rightfielder/Third Baseman and current Cardinal Broadcaster Mike Shannon be named the 26th Missouri Sports Legend for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Shannon was already a member of the Hall of Fame before being named a Legend last week as he was inducted back in 1999. During the banquet, former Cardinal Centerfielder Curt Flood, former New York Yankee and St. Louis Cardinal Rightfielder Roger Maris and former New York Yankee scout and Missouri native Tom Greenwade were inducted into the Missouri Hall of Fame. All three were inducted posthumously. Accepting for Flood was his daughter Shelly Flood. Accepting for Maris was his son Randy and accepting for Greenwade, who signed Mickey Mantle, was his son Bunch.
The event also featured a live auction of sports memorabilia which actually saw Quincian Mel Dillman outbid others for a painting done by Curt Flood of Stan Musial and Red Schoendienst, who also attended the event in Springfield.
The banquet, which was MC'd by Mike's broadcast partner, John Rooney proceeded to the point where it was time to announce the 26th Sports Legend for the State of Missouri, that being Mike Shannon. Shannon, who broke into the Major League scene in 1962 and played until 1970 when his career was cut short due to Nephritis, a kidney disease. He left the playing field to join the Cardinal front office in 1971 and later joined the broadcast booth in 1972 teaming up with Jack Buck. He is now in his 56th year of service with the Cardinal organization.
Mike, in his acceptance speech, called it a very "humbling to be honored with such great people who have been named legends" before him. At the conclusion of his comments Mike was presented a bust of his likeness which will be place in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield. After the event ended he, along with his good friend Red Schoendienst, stayed around and signed autographs for the fans in attendance.
The event was held at the University Plaza Convention Center before a capacity crowd.