Jose DeLeon had the talent, but not the won-loss record, to be an ace. Some of it was bad luck. Some of it was bad teams. Some of it was his own doing. DeLeon was the first Cardinals pitcher since Bob Gibson to lead the National League in strikeouts. He outdueled Roger Clemens twice in five days. Some of the game’s best hitters were helpless against him. Cal Ripken was hitless … [Read more...] about Lots of great starts, sad endings for Jose DeLeon
Cardinals gave Tom Qualters quite an initiation to majors
The number stands out from the stats line like a wart, ugly and embarrassing: 162.00. That’s the earned run average Tom Qualters had in his rookie season with the Phillies. The Cardinals were responsible for giving him that statistical shiner. Qualters, 18, made his big-league debut against them. He faced seven Cardinals and retired one. Six scored. His line: 0.1 … [Read more...] about Cardinals gave Tom Qualters quite an initiation to majors
An interview with author of Charlie Peete biography
If not for a tragic twist of fate, baseball fans today might be recalling Charlie Peete much like they do Lou Brock or Curt Flood as being an integral part of Cardinals championship clubs. An outfielder and minor league batting champion in the Cardinals system, Peete was on the cusp of becoming a prominent player in the majors. On Nov. 27, 1956, four months after he … [Read more...] about An interview with author of Charlie Peete biography
Cincinnati Kid: Don Gullett was ace of diamonds vs. Cards
On a Big Red Machine team of Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose and Tony Perez, the player who consistently confounded the Cardinals was Don Gullett. A left-handed pitcher, Gullett was 14-3 versus the Cardinals, including 7-0 at Busch Memorial Stadium. He also liked to hit in St. Louis. His batting average there was .281. Gullett played for six pennant winners in nine … [Read more...] about Cincinnati Kid: Don Gullett was ace of diamonds vs. Cards
How Joe DiMaggio helped Tony La Russa
In a spring training camp with Reggie Jackson, Rick Monday and Sal Bando, another hitter who caught the eye of Joe DiMaggio was Tony La Russa. In 1968, DiMaggio was in a green and gold Oakland Athletics uniform, giving instruction to players. La Russa was trying to make the team as a reserve infielder and return to the majors for the first time in five years. DiMaggio became … [Read more...] about How Joe DiMaggio helped Tony La Russa