As a successor to our Post of the Month contest and just for fun during this off-season, I will be posting a Cardinals-related trivia question on this thread at a random time each day (assuming I remember to do so). Some will be easier and I hope some will be stumpers. Everyone should feel free to take your best guess. The person with the first correct answer will win the accolades of this message board community. What recognition could be more valuable than that?

November 1 question: Many know that Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is the final remaining active MLB player to have been grandfathered the use of the number 42. Who was the last Cardinals player to wear number 42 and in what season?

Where's Jerry when I need him?

My guess is Sutter, 1984.

I thought that would be the most likely guess, but actually five other Cardinals players had the number after Sutter left as a free agent. (As an aside, the reissuance should offer additional question as to why Sutter's number was deemed worthy of being "retired" later on, but I am not going to go there again! I am personally sticking with Jackie Robinson.)

UConnCard wrote:

Where's Jerry when I need him?

Probably being hassled over at one of the other baseball forums by one of his many stalkers.

I know Mike Perez wore #42 in the early '90s.  I can't remember what his last year with the Cardinals was, so I will guess 1995. 

You are getting much warmer. Perez did wear #42 from 1991-1994, but he wasn't last. A hint: It was retired in 1997 along with all #42s in MLB.

Great question, and I do not know the answer. I'd just be guessing, and will say Mike DeFelice (more-or-less pulled a name out of a hat).

I liked when Sutter was with us and Jack Buck would announce his coming into a game by saying "...and here comes engine number 42".

By the way, there is a trick answer that is not what I am looking for, either. The entire team has worn special #42 uniforms to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day the last three April 15ths. My answer is the player who last wore #42 as his assigned number...

Jose Oliva

Jose Oliva is correct! TheEckFactor came through...

Oliva was the Topps Rookie All-Star third baseman with Atlanta in 1994 and was their starter in 1995 when Chipper Jones was moved to left field. He was acquired by Walt Jocketty in August, 1995 for minor league outfielder Anton French.

Oliva batted just .122 with St. Louis for the remainder of that season. The next spring, he was DFAed and played for Louisville in 1996, where he led the system with 31 home runs and 86 RBI. Oliva played in China in 1997 and died in an automobile accident in his Dominican Republic homeland in December 1997 at the age of 26.

I'll guess March 2005

can i guess twice?  like maybe jan 2005 in the Puerto Rican league?

December 2004 in Puerto Rico?

I think he shut it down early that winter after feeling a twinge in his elbow.

I need tougher questions, I guess. Dizzy is correct.

Ankiel had made it back to the majors in September 2004, appearing in five games on the mound. He then pitched in winter ball in Puerto Rico, throwing to Yadier Molina for the Carolina Gigantes. Ankiel’s winter season ended early, in December, 2004 due to elbow soreness.

In the spring of 2005, he had control problems in practice sessions and after his first “B” game outing was rained out, Ankiel called it quits before pitching in an official game that year. He announced his retirement from pitching and his move to the outfield on March 9, 2005.

Try again.

Ankiel's last regular season game as a pitcher came in September 2004.  Not sure what day it was; I remember he won a game in relief against Milwaukee (I think I have that game on tape) but I'm not sure if he pitched any more that season or not.

I was at BOB in April 2001 when Ankiel won his last decision as a starting pitcher; he beat Randy Johnson, 9-6 I think it was.  I went into the hospital five days later with pneumonia and didn't come out of my coma until May 6.  If I hadn't made it, that would have been my last major-league game.

That said, I need to make sure I stay kicking so I can go to some more games in 2010; otherwise my final major-league came could be Matt Holliday's dropping the final out in LA.  What a way to end a career of watching.