A catcher who earned the trust of Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Nolan Ryan, Jeff Torborg came to the Cardinals to work with a pitching staff led by Bob Gibson. Fifty years ago, on Dec. 6, 1973, the Cardinals acquired Torborg from the Angels for pitcher John Andrews. With 10 years of big-league experience and a reputation as a defensive specialist who worked well … [Read more...] about How Jeff Torborg ended his playing days at Cardinals camp
Ken MacKenzie played it smart on diamond and ice
During his National League pitching career, Ken MacKenzie produced one hit. It resulted in his only RBI _ a game-winning single against the Cardinals. Doing the unexpected came naturally to MacKenzie. A hockey player from a small town on a Canadian island, he went to Yale, graduated and became a big-league pitcher. A left-handed reliever, MacKenzie was the only … [Read more...] about Ken MacKenzie played it smart on diamond and ice
To Have or Have Not: Hugh Casey vs. Ernest Hemingway
A pretty good pitcher, Hugh Casey often got cuffed by the Cardinals. Off the field, as Ernest Hemingway learned, he was no punching bag. In the 1940s, the Cardinals (four) and Dodgers (three) won seven of the 10 National League pennants that decade. Casey was a prominent pitcher on the Dodgers championship clubs in 1941 (14 wins, seven saves) and 1947 (10 wins, 18 … [Read more...] about To Have or Have Not: Hugh Casey vs. Ernest Hemingway
Lynn McGlothen was key to Cardinals deal with Red Sox
When a proposed trade between the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox involving Gaylord Perry hit a snag, the Cardinals swooped in and snatched the pitchers the Indians wanted. Fifty years ago, on Dec. 7, 1973, the Cardinals acquired John Curtis, Mike Garman and Lynn McGlothen from the Red Sox for Reggie Cleveland, Diego Segui and Terry Hughes. It was the second major trade … [Read more...] about Lynn McGlothen was key to Cardinals deal with Red Sox
Fantastic finishes: Wes Ferrell was pitcher with best bat
Red Sox pitcher Wes Ferrell won games with his bat as well as his arm. Ferrell slugged walkoff home runs in consecutive days against the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns. A right-hander, Ferrell holds the record for regular-season career home runs hit by a pitcher. According to baseball-reference.com, the top six are Ferrell (38), Bob Lemon (37), Warren Spahn (35), Red … [Read more...] about Fantastic finishes: Wes Ferrell was pitcher with best bat