Springfield mayor: Hammons Field will be a lonely place without Bill Virdon

(From the City of Springfield)

Today we mourn the loss of baseball great Bill Virdon. He epitomized the best of baseball in Springfield – beginning with our beloved St. Louis Cardinals, where he was Rookie of the Year in 1955. He then had a very successful playing career with the Pittsburg Pirates and later a long and successful managerial career in the major leagues.

When he retired, he moved back to Springfield. He never forgot that Springfield was his home and in turn, Springfield never forgot him. He was a fixture at Springfield Cardinals games, as long as his health permitted. 

He loved talking about baseball and encouraging young people in that sport. Springfield and indeed, the entire nation, has lost a sports icon. 

Hammons Field will be a more lonely place because of the absence of Bill Virdon.