Thank you Dave. You will be missed.

In this age of here today, gone tomorrow when it comes to Cardinal rosters, Dave Ricketts’ name is instantly memorable to those of us who came of age as Cardinal fans in the 60s. Not only was he an unheard-of luxury in today’s game - a third-string catcher who hardly ever got into a game - but he also managed to stick to the major-league roster for all or parts of 5 seasons, a rare accomplishment today in Cardinal Nation.

With others such as Bobby Tolan, Phil Gagliano and Ed Spiezio, he was part of a veteran bench that was an under-appreciated factor in the Cardinals’ championship runs of the 60s.

For some of us who are not fantasy league managers, the fact that you really can’t tell the Cardinal players without a scorecard on any given day makes following the game far less enjoyable.

When it comes to the Good Guys, Mr. Rickets is at the top of the list. He has been teaching my daughter to catch for 5 years and you could tell he love every minute of teaching. Mr. Ricketts never charged a dime, he did it out of the love of the game. He worked with a numeber of young softball and baseball players at the batting cage. He was an outstanding teacher and became a good mentor to these young adults. Mr. Ricketss will truely be missed at the batting cage.

In the spring of 1983, when I was 12, my Dad took me down to St. Pete for spring training. A friend of my Dad’s was good friends with Whitey and the staff so we spent the entire week on the field and in the clubhouse!! Can you imagine how great for a 12 year old, and right after the WS win? Anyway, we went to breakfast with Mr. Ricketts, and in fact I have a photo of him and myself. I recall him being one of the nicest people of all that we met and have since enjoyed reading all the comments from players about him over the years. Thanks for all you did for our Redbirds, Mr. Ricketts.

I think it speaks to how classy the organization has been, and how great these men must be, that all Cardinals fans know the names of Dave Ricketts and George Kissell, the guys that do the work behind the scenes and teach the fundamentals and the “Cardinal Way”. I wonder who we’ll be talking about in 20 or 30 years, former Cardinals who stuck around to teach the youngsters, or the superstars who will always be seen at the ballpark like Brock, Gibson and Musial have. Horton, Benes and Eldred? Larry Walker? Oquendo? Matheny? Ozzie, Vince or Willie? I wish we had some coach that could teach base stealing, I know we don’t have the best speed but I don’t think we run enough with what we have either.

Dave was a terrific human being and will be missed by all who knew him!

During his Duquesne basketball years, Dave held the NCAA successful consecutive free throw record. He and his brother Dick were stalwarts in the halcyon era of Duquesne basketball. RIP!

In the 1970s, when the bullpens at old Busch Stadium were down the foul lines, the kids (including myself) would inevitably scurry to the Cardinals bullpen, scorecard and pen in tow, in hopes of snagging a few autographs. As the bullpen coach, Dave was always first on the scene before every game. I cannot remember a single instance in which he didn’t include signing a dozen or so autographs as part of his set-up procedure. And he was always, unfailingly nice about it — really a class act. He really, really reflected well upon the organization. Deepest sympathies to his family.

I was a 10 year-old baseball addict attending my second Cards game when I approached Dave Ricketts for an autograph near the bullpen. He politely declined because they were getting ready to play the national anthem, but he threw me the ball he was using. What a thrill! Cardinal Nation will miss this wonderful man, player, and coach. RIP Mr. Ricketts.

Dave was a great role model and friend. He helped me with many of the successful sports celebrity dinners that we did over 24 years at Maryville University. He would often come into my office and we would talk for hours about things that made a difference in young peoples lives. I will really miss him!

Dave Pierce
Athletic Director/Maryville University Retired (2001)

I could not have agreed more with the way Russ H put it. I think it is safe to say that the Cardinals are the most classy organization in sports. The fans appreciate the game and they appreciate more than just the overpaid superstars of todays game, Cardinal fans appreciate as Russ put it the people who do the “behind the scenes work”.

My first Cardinal home game was August 23, 1968. After traveling all day from Lincoln, Nebraska, my friend John & I arrived in mid-afternoon. Peeking through the centerfield gate down into the stadium, we observed Orlando Cepeda taking some extra hitting in an effort to get out of a slump. Pitching to him in the August heat that day was Dave Ricketts. As I recall, it was a long session. That night, Cepeda connected off Bob Veale for a 2-run homer that tied the game in an eventual Cardinal victory. But Dave Ricketts is the unsung hero of the story for his unequaled unselfishness.

DAVE RICKETTS EPITOMIZED WHAT IT MENT TO BE A CARDINAL. WE WANT OUR LEADERS TO BE GOOD AND DECENT MEN. WE WANT THEN TO PLAY FAIR AND HARD. WE WANT THEM TO MAKE US PROUD THAT THEY WEAR THE BIRDS ON THE BAT. DAVE RICKETTS WAS ALL THIS AND MORE. JUST READING MEMORIES OF ALL THOSE HE TOUCHED ONE CAN SEE THE SPECIAL PERSON THAT HE WAS. I SEND MY CONDOLENCE’S TO HIS FAMILY. I ALSO HOPE THAT THE CARDINAL ORGANIZATION WILL HONOR DAVE BY HAVING HIS NUMBER ON THE SLEEVE OF THE UNIFORMS. A GOOD MAN WHO STOOD FOR WHAT WE EXPECT IN OUR LEADERS DESERVES NO LESS.

DAVE RICKETTS EPITOMIZED WHAT IT MENT TO BE A CARDINAL. WE EXPECT OUR LEADERS TO GOOD AND DECENT PEOPLE. WE EXPECT THEM TO PLAY HARD AND FAIR. WE EXPECT THEM TO MAKE US PROUD THAT THEY WEAR THE BIRDS ON THE BAT. DAVE RICKETTS WAS ALL THAT AND MORE. JUST BY READING THE MEMORIES OF PEOPLE HE PERSONALLY TOUCH (TEAMMATES ADN FANS) YOU CAN TELL HE WAS A SPECIAL PERSON. HE WAS EVERYTHING THAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR CARDINALS. I SEND MY CONDOLENCE’S TO HIS FAMILY. I ALSO HOPE THAT THE CARDINAL ORGANIZATION WILL HONOR DAVE BY PUTTING HIS NUMBER ON THE SLEEVE OF THE UNIFORMS. A MAN WHO WAS EVERYTHING THAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR CARDINALS DESERVES NO LESS.

Somehow I had missed the news of Dave’s death. I am heartbroken. He meant so much to me as a person and a ballplayer. Dave taught me how to catch after I was drafted by the Cards. He was my first manager in rookie ball in 1977. All that has been said about Dave’s integrity and caring is true and more. He had a common sense, a caring about players (especially catchers!) that is hard to find in professional baseball. He remembered it was hard to play. His sense of humor and ability to needle players without insulting was legendary. To all that knew Dave, it is a sad day…to all that did not know Dave, it is even sadder that you did not.

My brother Mack and I were batboys for the Cardinals in the 80’s, and we shared some fond memories of Mr. Ricketts. That is exactly what we always called him, along with most of the players. As a young boy, he took time out to teach me a few things about my mechanics, and he was usually all business, but he knew how to get more out a player than the player even knew he had in him. A great guy! Good human to all. He will be missed.
Deepest sympathy to his family. God Bless, Tim Cyr