RetroSimba

(Updated: Jan. 16, 2016)

Jaime Garcia’s 13 wins in 2010 are the most by a Cardinals rookie left-hander since Harvey Haddix won 20 in 1953.

Left-handers Luis Arroyo (1955), Larry Jaster (1966), Greg Mathews (1986), Donovan Osborne (1992) and Rick Ankiel (2000) each won 11 as Cardinals rookies.

Haddix, 27, went 20-9 with a 3.06 ERA for a Cardinals team that finished 83-71 in 1953.

Signed as a 17-year-old amateur free agent by the Cardinals in 1943, Haddix debuted with St. Louis in August 1952, after a stint in the military, compiling a 2-2 record and 2.79 ERA in seven appearances over 42 innings.

He qualified as a rookie in 1953 because he had fewer than 45 innings pitched in the majors.

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

In 1953, Haddix led the National League in shutouts (6), 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 league-champion 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 for the award; Haddix got 4. Two other Cardinals rookies also earned support: third baseman Ray Jablonski (21 home runs, 112 RBI) got 3 first-place votes and center fielder Rip Repulski (.275 batting average, 15 homers) received 2.