Hochman: Ozzie Smith, ‘82 Cardinals celebrate 40 years since World Series title | Benjamin Hochman | stltoday.com

That was definitely a fun team to watch.

“It was most of my most exciting and rewarding season,” said Kaat, 83, who was finally inducted into Cooperstown this summer. “I didn’t find this out until my career was over, but 17 years between World Series appearances is the longest period of time any player ever had to wait. And then, no player in any professional sport has had to play 24 years before getting a championship ring. Ray Bourque, the hockey player, was 22. But those aren’t records of accomplishment by me — they’re just an example of how honored I was to be a part of that team. And the fact that we were such an exciting team.”