Legendary Cardinals broadcaster passes away: Team, fans mourn loss

Mike Shannon, a.k.a. The Moon Man, has passed away after a decorated career as a Cardinals player and broadcaster. May he rest in peace.

Two-time World Series winner and legendary St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Mike Shannon has passed away. The team announced his passing on Sunday but didn’t give a specific cause of death.

The homegrown Cardinals folk hero first joined St. Louis as a free agent in the 1950s, worked his way up to the big leagues, and spent nine years with the team from 1962 to 1970. Shannon’s playing career was unfortunately cut short due to a kidney disease diagnosis, though he did still win two World Series titles and played with Hall-of-Fame talents in Roger Maris and Stan Musial.

Shannon finished with 710 hits and 68 homers and slashed .255/.311/.387; he was eventually inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.

After Shannon’s playing career, he spent five decades in the broadcast booth, turning into one of the most familiar voices in St. Louis and developing a loyal following.

Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr. released a statement following Shannon’s death:

“Mike’s unique connection to Cardinals fans and his teammates was reflected in his unbridled passion for the game, the Cardinals, and the St. Louis community. On behalf of the entire Cardinals organization, we share our condolences with Mike’s family and friends, and his many fans.”

Shannon retired from color commentator duties after the 2021 season, but he clearly made a lasting impact on the Cardinals franchise as players, fans, and MLB community members paid their respects to the broadcasting legend.

MLB community mourns loss of Cardinals legendary broadcaster Mike Shannon

RIP to a true legend.