(Updated April 22, 2020)
Ernie Broglio was a 25-year-old pitcher with a powerful arm but a timid demeanor. Cardinals manager Solly Hemus didn’t like the way Broglio showed his dejection on the mound. So when the Cardinals opened the 1960 season, Hemus put the second-year right-hander in the bullpen instead of in the starting rotation.
Broglio didn’t earn his first win that year until May 16. On May 29, his record was 1-1. No one could have predicted what would happen next.
His confidence building with every appearance, Broglio began mixing in more starts with relief appearances.
Broglio credited teammate Larry Jackson, a Cardinals pitcher who had relieved and started, with helping him adjust.
“Larry explained that by going to the bullpen early in his career with the Cardinals he straightened himself out,” Broglio told The Sporting News in 1960. “So he suggested the same thing could work for me. I keep listening to Larry and my ERA keeps dropping.”
In July 1960, Hemus moved Broglio into the rotation and he soared.
Broglio put together an ironman season that is unimaginable in today’s game of pitch counts and nurturing of arms. He pitched in 52 games (28 relief and 24 starts), posted a 21-9 record and 2.74 ERA, and went 13-1 at home. Broglio was 14-7 as a starter and 7-2 in relief. He totaled 226.1 innings.
Broglio appeared in 24 home games (11 as a starter) and compiled a 1.81 ERA to go with that 13-1 home record in 1960. His most impressive home appearance came July 15 when he pitched a one-hitter and struck out 14 in a 6-0 victory over the Cubs. Boxscore
It’s unfortunate Hemus and Cardinals pitching coach Howie Pollet used Broglio without regard to arm damage. On Aug. 6, Broglio started against the Reds and went four innings. The next day, he pitched three innings of relief. It wasn’t the only time that season Broglio was used as a reliever the day after making a start.
“Ernie is the only pitcher in the league whose arm is so strong that he can be used as a starter and frequent reliever without losing effectiveness,” Pollet told The Sporting News.
On Aug. 11, 1960, Broglio pitched 12 innings in beating the Pirates, 3-2. Pittsburgh starter Bob Friend matched Broglio in pitching all 12 innings.
Four years later, Broglio would become the lasting symbol for lopsided trades when he was dealt to the Cubs for Lou Brock. Soon after he joined Chicago, Broglio developed arm problems and never was a dominant force again.
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