When Slaughter was a minor leaguer in Columbus, Georgia, he went running towards the dugout from his position in the outfield, slowed down near the infield, and began walking the rest of the way. Manager Eddie Dyer told him, “Son, if you’re tired, we’ll try to get you some help.” During the remainder of his major-league career, Slaughter ran everywhere he went on a baseball field. In 1937, he had 245 hits and 147 runs scored for Columbus.

Slaughter was born in Roxboro, North Carolina, where he earned the nickname “Country”, and joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938 before being traded to the New York Yankees in 1954.

Slaughter served for three years in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was Sergeant teaching physical education. Immediately upon return from his military service in 1946, Slaughter led the National League with 130 RBI and led the Cardinals to a World Series win over the Boston Red Sox. In the decisive seventh game of that series, Slaughter, running with the pitch, made a famous “Mad Dash” for home from first base on Harry Walker’s hit in the eighth inning, scoring the winning run after a delayed relay throw by the Red Sox’ Johnny Pesky. The hit was ruled a double, though most observers felt it should have been ruled a single, as only the throw home allowed Walker to advance to second base. This play was named #10 on the Sporting News list of Baseball’s 25 Greatest Moments in 1999.

Slaughter retired from major league baseball in 1959. He was a player-manager for the Houston Buffs of the Texas League in 1960 and for Raleigh Capitals of the Carolina League in 1961. Slaughter coached baseball for Duke University from 1971 to 1977.

Slaughter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.

His jersey number 9 was retired by the Cardinals on September 6, 1996.

The Cardinals dedicated a statue depicting his famous Mad Dash in 1999. Slaughter was a fixture at statue dedications at Busch Stadium II for other Cardinal Hall of Famers during the last years of his life.

Slaughter died at age 86 on August 12, 2002, after battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was buried at Allensville United Methodist Church in Person County, North Carolina.

In January, 2014, the Cardinals announced Slaughter among 22 former players and personnel to be inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum for the inaugural class of 2014.