Perhaps no performance better symbolizes the disappointing tenure of Juan Agosto with the Cardinals than the 1992 game in which he gave up the winning run by hitting a batter with the bases loaded.
Agosto’s name resurfaced June 22 as the Mets beat the Athletics, 3-2, in the 13th inning when Brad Ziegler hit Justin Turner with a pitch, forcing in the winning run. It was the first time a major-league team had won on a game-ending hit-by-pitch in the 13th inning or later since the Mets beat Agosto and the Cardinals 19 years ago, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Agosto, a left-handed reliever, signed a three-year, $4.6 million free-agent contract with the Cardinals in December 1990. The money was guaranteed: a $500,000 signing bonus, with base contracts of $1 million in 1991, $1.5 million in 1992 and $1.6 million in 1993.
At the time, that deal was considered quite lucrative for a left-handed reliever who wasn’t a stopper. The Cardinals and their fans expected Agosto to be an effective setup specialist for closer Lee Smith.
Agosto had built a reputation for durability while pitching for the White Sox, Twins and Astros. In 1988, he was 10-2 with four saves and a 2.26 ERA in 75 games for Houston.
“Juan solidifies our bullpen considerably,” Cardinals general manager Dal Maxvill told The Sporting News in announcing the signing. “He is a workhorse who wants to pitch every day.”
Though he did pitch often, Agosto often didn’t pitch well.
Lacking command, Agosto drew the ire of many Cardinals fans, starting with his first season in 1991. Though he appeared in 72 games and had a 5-3 record with two saves, Agosto had more hits allowed (92) than innings pitched (86) and had a 4.81 ERA. He hit a team-high eight batters and recorded more walks (39) than strikeouts (34). Batters hit .291 against him.
When Agosto started poorly in 1992, booing increased from Cardinals fans.
On April 23, 1992, at New York’s Shea Stadium, the Cardinals and Mets battled into the 13th inning of a scoreless duel.
The Mets had been held to four hits entering the 13th. Then, Agosto yielded singles to Dave Magadan and Junior Noboa, and issued a walk to Charlie O’Brien.
That brought up Daryl Boston, a left-handed batter. Claire Smith, writing for the New York Times, described what happened next:
When the ball hit him in the stomach, unbuttoning his jersey and settling between uniform and undershirt, 3 hours 57 minutes of baseball finally, and officially, came to an end.
“It just slipped out of my hand,” Agosto said of the pitch that struck Boston and gave the Mets a 1-0 victory.
Cardinals manager Joe Torre summarized it best when he told reporters: “If you’re a baseball fan, this is a great game. If you’re a Cardinals fan, your stomach hurts like mine does.” Boxscore
Agosto continued to struggle. His record was 2-4 with a 6.25 ERA when the Cardinals released him June 13, 1992. When he received the news, Agosto approached Torre and apologized for his performance.
“I told him there was nothing to apologize for,” Torre told reporters. “He took the ball every time. He never made an excuse. He wanted to stay here.”
Agosto’s overall record as a Cardinal: 7-7, 5.20 ERA, 131 hits allowed in 117.2 innings.
In reporting Agosto’s departure from St. Louis, The Sporting News wrote:
The Cardinals ate their biggest contract ever when they released reliever Juan Agosto … The Cardinals owe Agosto, who had a 6.25 ERA, about $2.7 million.
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