(Updated May 30, 2020)
In his first game for the Cardinals, George Altman singled four times against Mets pitcher Roger Craig, who experienced the first of 22 losses in 1963. Boxscore
Seven months later, Altman was traded for Craig, a deal that helped transform the Cardinals into World Series champions in 1964.
On Nov. 4, 1963, the Cardinals sent Altman and pitcher Bill Wakefield to the Mets for Craig.
Craig was 5-22 for the 1963 Mets and he lost 18 consecutive decisions between May 4 and Aug. 4, but the Mets were shut out in nine of Craig’s losses and he lost five times by 1-0 scores.
Devine intervention
The Cardinals acquired him because he could start and relieve, general manager Bing Devine said, and his 3.78 ERA in 1963 indicated Craig was a better pitcher than his won-loss record showed.
“Craig gives us stability and maneuverability in our pitching,” Devine told United Press International.
Cardinals manager Johnny Keane told New York columnist Red Smith, “We think Craig is a lot of pitcher.”
Said Craig to the Associated Press: “I knew I’d be traded. I was praying it wouldn’t be to another second-division club. I felt I suffered enough … I want to thank the Mets for dealing me to a good club. The Cardinals have the best-hitting team in the league and should be a contender for many years.
“I feel I’ve never pitched better than (1963) despite my record. I had better control, better stuff and my arm didn’t bother me despite all the work … My stay in New York made me a better pitcher because it taught me to bear down harder. There was plenty of opportunity.”
In an uncannily prescient prediction to The Sporting News in December 1963, Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner said of the Cardinals’ acquisition of Craig, “It could mean the pennant for them. It gives the Cards a great middle relief man or maybe even another starter. Ask any manager what that means. Craig is a great competitor.”
Craig’s versatility for the 1964 Cardinals was reflected in these statistics: He was third on the club in games pitched (39), third in saves (five), fourth in starts (19) and fourth in innings pitched (166).
His best work for the 1964 Cardinals was out of the bullpen. Overall, he was 7-9 with a 3.25 ERA. In relief, he was 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 20 games.
Relieving Ray Sadecki, Craig won Game 4 of the 1964 World Series against the Yankees. Boxscore
Big bopper bust
George Altman, the right fielder for the 1963 Cardinals, had been expected to provide power and run production after being acquired from the Cubs, but he was a streaky hitter who failed to produce consistent power. He hit .274 with 18 doubles, nine home runs and 47 RBI in 135 games for the Cardinals.
Altman’s inconsistency was reflected in these statistics: He hit .370 for St. Louis in April, .184 in May, .305 in June and .226 in July.
“Altman wasn’t that bad a player for us,” Devine told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “It’s just that we looked for so much from him … We made the trade (for Craig) to strengthen our pitching as well as to open the way for our young outfielders. We’ve wanted Craig for some time.”
Altman hit .230 for the 1964 Mets and duplicated the home run and RBI totals (nine and 47) he had for St. Louis in 1963.
After returning to Chicago and playing for the Cubs from 1965-67, Altman revived his career in Japan.
RetroSimba 
The funny thing about the deal for Craig, is Devine said they made the deal to strengthen their pitching. But when you net the Altman deals together, you basically traded Larry Jackson and Lindy McDaniel for Roger Craig. That is a fairly significant negative return.
The Brock deal saved the Cardinals in ’64; plus the good years from Ray Sadecki and Curt Simmons, not to mention the amazing work done by Barney Schultz the last two months. And one more, the maturing of Mike Shannon.
Craig did come through big time in game 4 of the World Series. But Larry Jackson won 24 games for a poor Cubs team. He alone would have helped much more than Craig. In modern metrics, Jackson had a 5.1 WAR in ’63 and 6.0 in ’64. Craig was 2.3 and 1.7.
Yes, I agree with your good analysis.