MLB World reacts to death of Hall of Fame St. Louis Cardinals writer Rick Hummel: "No one in the press box was ever more of a gentleman" 

Hall of Fame St. Louis Cardinals sportswriter Rick Hummel passed away at home in his sleep on Saturday at the age of 77.

Hummel, known lovingly as "The Commish," was well known throughout the MLB world. He covered the Cardinals for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper for five decades. He retired after 51 years of covering the team in 2022.

Hummel was born and raised in St. Louis Cardinals territory. He grew up in Quincy, Illinois, on the border of Missouri just north of St. Louis. He graduated from the University of Missouri school of journalism. He covered both the Cardinals and the sport of baseball, gaining a reputation as a gentleman with a straightforward approach to his craft.

Longtime sportscaster Bob Costas once told the Post-Dispatch of Hummel:

"He gets the facts, paints an accurate picture and lets the readers draw their own conclusions. Other guys across the country who have covered a team might have more of an acerbic edge. But Rick's advantage over time is that he is universally regarded as trustworthy. He adheres to a way that is old-school, and that has served his readers well."

Longtime St. Louis Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog once told the Post-Dispatch of Hummel:

"He loves the game, he’s very knowledgeable. I couldn’t have had a better beat writer for those 10 years, I was very fortunate to have him as my beat writer. If he would call, I’d return it as soon as I could. To this day, if Rick Hummel calls I call him right back."

Hummel gained the "Commish" nickname — short for commissioner — in the 1970s when he and some friends formed a league to play a sports-related board game. The name stuck league-wide out of respect.

He covered 42 consecutive All-Star Games, and chronicled the St. Louis Cardinals three most recent World Series championships.

Hummel had been ill as of late, but kept the illness private. He passed away at home with his wife Melissa at his side. In memoriam, the Cincinnati Reds reserved him a spot in the press box at Great American Ballpark, where the home team is scheduled to host the Cardinals on Monday night.

St. Louis Cardinals have lost three greats in a short time

Sports announcer Tim McCarver attends the 25th Annual Sports Emmy Awards

The St. Louis Cardinals have lost three of their legendary writers/broadcasters in a short time. In addition to Hummel, longtime broadcasters Mike Shannon and Tim McCarver also passed away this year.