TOWER GROVE — This unfortunate news from St. Louis Cardinals media relations director Brian Bartow:

The St. Louis Cardinals organization was deeply saddened (Sunday) when it learned of the passing of Fred McAlister, the team’s long-time Scouting Director (1980-1993) who had most recently served as a Special Assignment Scout for the team. … McAlister was a part of the Cardinals’ organization since 1945, when he signed as a player out of high school. He played in the Cardinals farm system from 1945 to 1960, serving as a player/coach or player/manager at various times.

During his tenure as scouting director, McAlister’s first-round picks reached the majors in 12 of his 13 drafts, including a streak of picks from 1981 to 1987. McAlister’s drafts produced more than 70 players who suited up for the Cardinals, as well as 17 players who reached the majors with other organizations. Prior to his work as scouting director, he was the Cardinals’ assistant farm director from 1967 to 1969 and served as a scouting supervisor and special assignment scout from 1969 to 1979.

This has been an especially difficult year for the Cardinals as they now mourn the death of a third member of a generation that help build the Cardinals into one of baseball’s crown-jewel franchises. During the season, longtime coach Dave Ricketts died after a battle with cancer and “the Professor” George Kissell was recently killed a car accident in Florida. Mr. McAlister was 80.

During his tenure as scouting director, Mr. McAlister had a run of seven consecutive No. 1 picks to make the majors.

Wrote Post-Dispatch staff writer Dan O’Neill in 1993, just as Mr. McAlister’s recent first picks Donovan Osborne and Allen Watson were already in the majors:

There are things Fred McAlister loves about scouting, most of which he’ll still be able to enjoy. But there are aspects of the business McAlister is happy to relinquish after 13 years as the Cardinals’ director of scouting.

“When I started back in 1980, I had a budget of $250,000,” McAlister said. “Now, it’s $1.5 million, and the players aren’t any better. “I won’t miss the money part of it. They all want a barrel of money when you draft them now. You take a guy in the 10th round, and he wants $100,000. They think money grows on trees.”

…

McAlister had a run of seven No. 1 amateur picks who made it to the big leagues. Those players, picked from 1981 through 1987, were infielder Bobby Meacham, pitcher Todd Worrell, outfielder-first baseman Jim Lindeman, pitcher Mike Dunne, pitcher Joe Magrane, infielder Luis Alicea and pitcher Cris Carpenter.

Mr. McAlister returned to special assignment scouting following the 1993 season after having served as the Cardinals scouting director since 1980. Mr. McAlister is survived by his wife, Patty. Funeral Services are scheduled for Wed., Nov. 26 in Katy, Texas.

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