Max Lanier, pitcher for the Cardinals and father of Hal Lanier passed away last week at the ripe old age of 91.

Born Hubert Lanier in Denton, N.C., Max Lanier spent 12 seasons with the Cardinals between 1938 and 1951, pitching in the 1942, 1943 and 1944 World Series, posting a 2-1 record in seven games. The Cardinals beat the New York Yankees in 1942, lost a rematch the following year and beat the St. Louis Browns in 1944.

He led the National League with a 1.90 ERA in 1943. He had a career record of 108-82, including stints with the New York Giants and the Browns in 1952 and 1953. He later managed in the minor leagues.

Max put up pretty good numbers before WWII. Given that he and Musial played in St. Louis during most of that war, I've always wondered if someone at the St. Louis draft board tried to fix things for the Cardinals by keeping good players on the team out of the service at that time. Given the level of play in the rest of the majors, it's not surprising that a team with Lanier and Stan the Man did so well.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.