With complete-game wins in his first three big-league starts, Larry Jaster transformed from a perceived disappointment to a promising starter for the Cardinals.
In September 1965, Jaster was called up to the Cardinals from Class AA Tulsa. The defending World Series champions were out of pennant contention and assessing how to reshape the roster for 1966.
Jaster, a left-hander, impressed the Cardinals and their opponents by showing command of his pitches, stamina, adaptability and the know-how to win.
Jaster, 21, had progressed significantly from spring training, when the Cardinals questioned his commitment to becoming a complete pitcher.
Bonus baby
In 1962, Jaster was a high school senior in Midland, Mich., with a reputation as a talented baseball pitcher and football quarterback. The Tigers were keen on signing him to a professional baseball contract. Duffy Daugherty, football coach at Michigan State, wanted Jaster for his program.
The Cardinals, on the recommendation of scout Mo Mozzali, made the best financial offer: a $50,000 signing bonus. Jaster accepted.
Jaster was underwhelming in his first three seasons in the Cardinals’ system, though he did reach the Class AAA level with Jacksonville in 1964.
At spring training in 1965, Jaster arrived 10 pounds overweight and didn’t pitch effectively enough. When the Cardinals reassigned him to the minor-league camp, Jaster was told by farm director Chief Bender to report to Class AA Tulsa rather than Class AAA Jacksonville.
Jaster objected angrily. “We really had it out,” Bender said to The Sporting News.
According to Bender, the argument included this exchange:
Jaster: “I might as well quit. Give me my release.”
Bender: “Give us back that big bonus and you can have your release.”
After conferring with his wife, Jaster reported to Tulsa. He started poorly, though, and his future with the Cardinals appeared shaky.
Career changer
Desperate to reverse his career spiral, Jaster accepted the guidance of Tulsa manager Vern Rapp and pitching coach Billy Muffett.
“I was told to concentrate on getting the off-speed pitches over the plate and I even surprised myself,” said Jaster, who developed consistent command of a curve and change-up.
When Bender visited Jaster at Tulsa in June 1965, “Larry admitted to me then that being sent to Tulsa was the best thing that ever happened to him,” the farm director said.
Jaster struck out 219 in 210 innings with Tulsa, earning 11 wins and posting a 3.09 ERA. That got him a September look from the Cardinals.
September sensation
On Sept. 17, 1965, Jaster made his big-league debut, pitching an inning of shutout relief for the Cardinals against the Dodgers at St. Louis. Boxscore
Five days later, on Sept. 22, manager Red Schoendienst started Jaster against the Astros in the Cardinals’ 1965 home finale. Jaster responded by pitching a complete-game four-hitter for his first big-league win in a 4-1 Cardinals victory. Boxscore
The Cardinals then embarked on a season-ending road trip to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston.
Pennant pressure
Jaster’s next start came on Sept. 28 against the Giants at Candlestick Park. The Giants and Dodgers entered the day tied for first place in the National League at 92-64, with six games remaining.
Admitting he was nervous to be starting a game with pennant implications, Jaster struck out the first two batters he faced, Jim Davenport and Willie McCovey, and that “helped my confidence,” he told the Associated Press.
Though he wasn’t as sharp as he was in his first start _ Jaster told the Oakland Tribune he was having trouble that night with his curve and change-up _ the rookie frustrated the Giants.
Jaster yielded 10 hits and walked two, but the Giants stranded 11 and the Cardinals prevailed, 9-1, on a complete-game win from the left-hander. Jaster also contributed a two-run single off reliever Dick Estelle, scoring Julian Javier and Tim McCarver.
Praise from Mays
The Giants’ run came on a home run by Willie Mays, his 51st of the season. It was a 410-foot blast to straightaway center field. It barely eluded a leaping Curt Flood, who got a hand on the ball as it sailed over the fence.
Jaster described the pitch hit by Mays as “a high fastball that I got too far over the plate.”
In the ninth, the Giants had two runners on base with two outs and Mays at the plate. Jaster retired Mays on a pop out to third baseman Ken Boyer.
“He’s going to be a good pitcher,” Mays said of Jaster. “He throws strikes and isn’t afraid to get the ball over.”
Said McCarver: “Larry wasn’t hitting the spots like he will, but that good, sneaky fastball was right where he wanted it.” Boxscore
The loss dropped the Giants a game behind the Dodgers, who beat the Reds, 2-1, in 12 innings that day. The Dodgers went on to clinch the pennant, finishing two games ahead of the Giants.
Good command
In his final start, on Oct. 2, in the Cardinals’ penultimate game of 1965, Jaster pitched a complete-game seven-hitter versus the Astros in a 6-3 St. Louis triumph. Houston led, 3-0, after three, but Jaster shut out the Astros over the final six innings. Boxscore
“I used to be a thrower,” said Jaster. “Now I can get the ball where I want it.”
Said Schoendienst: “He’s not overpowering, but he has a pretty good fastball and curve. Most important, he throws strikes. Any time you throw strikes, you have a chance.”
Jaster finished 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA for the 1965 Cardinals.
With the 1966 Cardinals, Jaster had his best season, posting an 11-5 record and 3.26 ERA, including five shutouts against the NL champion Dodgers.
In four years with the Cardinals, Jaster was 32-25 with a 3.17 ERA. He departed the Cardinals when chosen by the Expos in the expansion draft after the 1968 season.
Previously: Hot starts by Kyle Lohse remind Cards of Larry Jaster
The Dodger Killer.