Will Clark w/2000 St. Louis Cardinals (.345)

Will the Thrill played 51 games with St. Louis at the end of 2000, and hit a spectacular .345, 1.081 ops and 12 HR, 42 RBI. He was beloved in St. Louis...who would have imagined that in 1987! What a swing, what a commanding presence. Here's an interview from 2019 on his time in St. Louis: • Will Clark on time as ...

[@loufournier5397]

That was such a fun time as a Cardinal fan. I loved Will when he was a Giant even though he was a pain in our ass in ‘87 and in the ‘88 fight, but to see him finish as a Cardinal was awesome. I wish he had played one more season.

[@medguy12]

One of the best deadline acquisitions in the history of the franchise.

[@daniels4227]

Larry Walker was another good one!

[@KidFresh71]

Will Clark: the player who made me a lifelong baseball fanatic. As a Giants fan, I want to give major props to St. Louis for giving Will such a wonderful end to his career. So rare to see a player retire at the top of their game. Some players are just National League type players (back when that meant something), and Will "the Thrill" was definitely an NL type player. Could've hung around MLB several more years as a bench guy, but I respect Clark for leaving the game on his own terms. Absolute legend.

[@azdbuk]

Clark and Grif Jr my favorite swings of all time...

[@user-wv8zn3we9w]

Strawberry had a beautiful swing too.

[@mysticakhenaton1701]

@@user-wv8zn3we9w yes, he did. and don't forget Mattingly.

[@aceves22]

As a massive Will Clark fam I thank you so much for making this video. You made my evening.

[@dn35243524]

Love it!

[@mysticakhenaton1701]

LONG time Cubs fan here. I NEVER forgave Will for what he did to my Cubs back in that 1989 NLCS. even though Mark Grace hit OVER 500 in that series. Will hit 600. and got his team the pennant...THIS IS A NICE VIDEO.

[@nocontextpoppapump]

This video is absolutely incredible. I was hoping to find a few highlights of Will’s Cardinal tenure on here, and I guess you can say that I’m quite “thrilled” to find this. Very well put together!

[@dn35243524]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@fixerman54]

Thanks for the memories Will, (and Mr. Newman!)

[@mattmcrae1458]

Thrill and the Cardinals: a match made in Baseball Heaven

[@ClarkBeattie14]

As a SF Giants Fan I remember watching "The Thrill"..as a catcher and a fan of hitting his swing mesmerizing. He reminded me of old videos I've seen of Ted Williams. For some reason it seems that left handed hitters tend to have the sweetest swings. His focus, intelligence about looking for specific pitches...and that high squeaky voice made him a favorite of mine.

[@richmascherini9089]

Will Clark, my boyhood idol. Will Clark played the game the way the fans expected a ball player to play. Ran out every ball, and I mean every ball. I challenge anyone to find any footage of Clark every not giving 100 %. Ever. Canseco calling will a sloth, how the idiots are proven what they are over the course of time. Clark a career 300 plus hitter over 15 years used to get criticism for hunting in the off season rather than steroiding up all off season long. Thank you Will for doing it right. Sincerely, an old great ful Giants fan.

[@georgiafan6618]

Will was natural. A Pure hitter. Miss the old school players. Jeter was another one.

[@negtype13]

Will was THE "Natural!"

[@alexniapas9243]

The man thrived in the clutch moments in the game

[@boomieboo]

Clark talking about Mcguire the way he did reminds me of how the steroid era really hurt Clark. I remember when Bonds came to the Giants and Clark's star just kind of sank away. To me, it makes his numbers even more impressive and HOF worthy. Also seeing him in a Cardinals uniform reminded me of that epic Cardinals Giants fight started by Oquendo and Smith.

[@romeotangocharlie_7841]

One the greatest lefty’s in the game.

[@JWILL1133]

Will Clark is a HoFer in my mind. Didn’t have a long career, but was very productive with the years he did play.

[@markk2745]

He had a few injury's his last 5 years. Also I think if he stayed in SF his whole career that would have helped a lot. People in SF really love him.

[@indyvelo8068]

Will stepped away from the game in order to take care of his family. He clearly had a few good seasons left in the tank. Massive amount of respect for him. I’m glad that he was able to go out with a bang in Cardinal red!

[@carlt8188]

Looking back I have even more respect and admiration for Will because he played his whole career without being on steroids and other PED'S.

[@gingerblue2265]

Totally agree, Well said!

[@paulbegley1464]

Not to mention the best swing in baseball.

[@leakyjeep5.9]

How do you know he was clean? You don't.

[@carlt8188]

@leakyjeep5.9 I piss tested him everyday of his career. He was clean.

[@michaelhudson863]

@@leakyjeep5.9 KNOW? Going with that logic I don’t know that Bonds juiced either. Will never had sudden changes in weight gain, body composition, shape, nor did his power numbers jump off the chart out of nowhere.

[@chadfawley2924]

He's been my favorite player since 87 and I don't think he gets enough respect for what he's done he may not been a home run hitter but he played the game right and was always good in the clutch

[@CristopherSmith-zr7uh]

Boy we didnt like him for yrs cause he was a Giant. But when he came over, we instantly forgot all that and fell in love. Then he left just as quick. Was one of the best ball players for almost 2 decades. Glad he wore the birds on the bat

[@georgesouthwick7000]

90% of today’s players should watch this video to see what a professional hitter is supposed to be.

[@frankk.7761]

As a huge will Clark fan this was great. From 86-93, he was a top player. Than he became an average player which was sad. When he went to STL he proved how great he was.

[@indyvelo8068]

4:33 What a feeling it must have been to catch that home run ball! Giving him a standing ovation for his first at-bat at Busch in a Cardinal uniform, then on his first pitch he hits the ball over the outfield fence right to you!

[@wizard1687]

Legendary

[@marcusanderson933]

Will The Thrill!

[@Reloadeez]

Underrated player, he was a career 60 WAR player. His WAR is higher than 90 hall of fame position players. He would rank 94th out of all 184 hall of fame position players. He would rank 17th out of the current 27 hall of fame first basemen.

[@zcorpalpha2462]

Amazing thing, he was kinda past his prime by then Still had amazing year

[@indyvelo8068]

He was an absolute MONSTER that year for the Cards. Clutch hit after clutch hit. I have a massive amount of respect for the man, because he stepped away from the game to take care of his family. He CLEARLY could have put in a few more years, which may have given him a decent shot at the HoF.

[@frankyaeger675]

He's my second favorite athlete of all time behind only Wayne Gretzky. He played the game the right way, with talent and determination and that swing was a thing of beauty. Seeing him go out strong was exactly what he deserved.

[@TheFaithfulAtheist]

Do you have a thing for players who spent one year in St. Louis?

[@rtsuh]

My favorite player growing up! Broke my heart when he left the Giants after the 1993 season. What a show he put on with Cards! I wish the Giants had traded for him to finish up his career but JT Snow was firmly entrenched (and rightfully so) at 1B at that point. Great to see Will back having close ties with the Giants.

[@apj341]

Will was on the 2010 Giants' staff and got a WS Ring 💍 !!! 👍

[@cathyhorn963]

Lots of players weren’t on steroids or PED’s… The reason to respect Will Clark was his clutch hitting. And his “will” to win.

[@darrellq6954]

I used to practice his batting stance in the mirror with a whiffle ball bat for hours as a 12 year old

[@Ian-yf1rl]

Great video Thanks

[@Nuschler22]

Well done. Thank you.

[@bigd4life865]

That was fantastic. Thanks for sharing and putting this together. What a way for Will to close out his career. I wish he could have played his entire career in the NL.

[@negtype13]

Big Mac...not only made SMALL...but UN-NECCESSARY! The DRIVE/POWER of WILL The THRILL!!! 🤘🤩🤘 P.S. - How did the boys at Wrigley not learn...you NEVER pitch to The Thrill when the bases are juiced! (right Maddux?!)😉

[@markk2745]

Not many athletes go out when they are on top or have a good season. Will is a rare one.

[@emir0324]

Those early 2000s fans were so much louder so much better

[@roypiper581]

And even more in the 70s and 80s because anyone could afford to go to games. Now it is all corporate tix and the rich. In 1982 I went to an Angels-Brewers ALCS game. Tickets were $15 and parking was $3.

[@rickmontgomery3037]

Exactly.@@roypiper581

[@ericbeck6390]

Great video! I remember him and Kevin Mitchell in 89 - scary times for an Astros fan

[@AFTepes]

My favorite player until Griffey arrived what an attitude and sweet swing. Griffey = best swing ever Clark = 2nd Best swing AND BEST swing ending (bat drop) of all time.

[@dn35243524]

Great interview here from 2019 of Will's time in St. Louis: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y16mgn6sitV7jLs

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

what a swing !!

[@bretsyboo]

awesome. now i'm imagining a Bo Hart version of this.

[@dn35243524]

Umm no lol

[@evilmonkeyspeaks7801]

If he could've handled Barry Bonds coming to town and stayed in San Francisco, he'd be in the Hall of Fame. And he was clean.....

[@Franz19970]

I was an Orioles fan. Was sad when we traded him. Didn't understand rebuilds at age 11

[@darrellq6954]

We need a St Louis Cardinal's Carlos Beltran video......

[@dn35243524]

Someday. It’s a good idea

[@robertjasso6673]

Will the thrill ..his number retired in SF his exploits never retired we love the guy.

[@anthonyparkernearlifeexp]

I still haven't forgiven the Giants for letting him get away

[@eldave137]

I hated the Cardinals after he fought Oquendo and Ozzie, but was happy he finished in the NL and he looked good in that uni

[@gingerblue2265]

My only criticism of Will Clark is that he retired too early. Obviously he was still productive. I wish he played another year with the Cardinals instead of McGwire.

[@ryan.stadler79]

They weren't sitting McGwire.

[@paulbegley1464]

As a bay area resident I thought Will Clark was better than McGwire. True McGwire hit more homers but Clark did it without PEDs

[@michaelhudson863]

@@paulbegley1464 Clark was definitely the better, natural pure hitter. I can’t imagine Clark’s slugging and on base percentage if he juiced.

[@TomNguyen]

@@michaelhudson863 lol that would have been fun to see--a juiced Clark in an alternate universe

[@michaelhudson863]

@@TomNguyen loved the Thrill

[@Thegeneralms1]

I sure wish he had been healthy his whole career. Hail State

[@georgesouthwick7000]

Too bad the NL didn’t have the DH back in 2000. A lineup that included Will Clark and Mike McGwire would have been any pitcher’s nightmare.

[@romeotangocharlie_7841]

Anyone know his slugging percentage during this streak?

[@dn35243524]

.655

[@romeotangocharlie_7841]

@@dn35243524 🤯crazy

[@paulbegley1464]

If the Giants would have pulled that trigger then 2004 would have been a different story.

[@PBLeagues22]

7:34 Let the big dog eat.

[@fantasticvoyage262]

I remember thinking he was washed up after the trade. I couldn't have been more wrong about that.

[@bosoxer4eva]

S T U D

[@Brand-ju4jm]

if will could have just done some juice he could of been a 40 plus dude for many years

[@reidjames2938]

Easily could’ve been a 50+ guy. Was a better hitter than Big Mac in every way besides raw power

[@decker528]

Man, baseball used to be so much better. The games, the stars, the trades, everything about it has gone downhill fast in the last decade or so

[@berge7f91]

The Giants should have acquired him instead of the Cardinals.

[@bretsyboo]

or Cesar Cedeno

[@dn35243524]

Cesar Cedeno completed! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKfGiWNnqdedfLM

[@knicksfan89]

@@dn35243524 do you have a updated list as well as any nba games at all?

[@dn35243524]

@@knicksfan89 I don't really have much NBA anymore. Years back I clipped all the video I had into 'compilations' and turned into video files that I work from. The old DVDs of full games where these originated are pretty much gone.

[@GooffuX]

Clark = HOF