RetroSimba

Harvey Haddix, a 27-year-old rookie left-hander, earned 20 wins for the 1953 Cardinals.

Signed as an amateur free agent by the Cardinals in 1947, Haddix debuted with St. Louis in August 1952, posting a 2-2 record and 2.79 ERA in seven appearances over 42 innings.

Haddix qualified as a rookie in 1953 because he had pitched fewer than 45 innings in the big leagues.

Haddix reminded some of  Harry “The Cat” Brecheen, a wiry left-hander who pitched 11 seasons for the Cardinals. Haddix “looks like The Cat, walks like The Cat, and they call him The Kitten,” The Sporting News reported.

Haddix posted a 20-9 record and 3.06 ERA for the 1953 Cardinals. He led the National League in shutouts (six), had 19 complete games in 33 starts and pitched a pair of two-hitters: a 4-2 win over the Reds on May 9 (Boxscore) and a 2-0 victory against the Phillies on Aug. 6 (Boxscore).

“He’s got a good fastball, a good curve, good control,” Cardinals manager Eddie Stanky said.

Haddix finished second to second baseman Jim Gilliam of the Dodgers in balloting for the Rookie of the Year Award. Gilliam batted .278, scored 125 runs, drew 100 walks and swiped 21 bases.

Gilliam received 11 first-place votes in the balloting and Haddix got four. Two other Cardinals rookies also earned support: third baseman Ray Jablonski (21 home runs, 112 RBI) got three first-place votes and center fielder Rip Repulski (.275 batting average, 15 home runs) received two.