RetroSimba

After the 1955 season, the Cardinals looked to revamp their pitching staff and one of the first moves they made was to acquire the oldest pitcher in the big leagues.

On Dec. 4, 1955, the Cardinals claimed on waivers Ellis Kinder, 41, from the Red Sox. Some saw it as desperation. To Cardinals general manager Frank Lane, it was opportunistic inspiration.

The 1955 Cardinals had finished with a 68-86 record and the worst ERA (4.56) in the National League. Their relief pitching was especially poor. Barney Schultz, who had a 7.89 ERA, was the team leader in saves, with four.

Cardinals owner Gussie Busch hired Lane, who had been successful as general manager of the White Sox, to rebuild the Cardinals. Lane’s first move was to hire Fred Hutchinson, formerly of the Tigers, as manager, replacing Harry Walker.

Lane received a call from Red Sox general manager Joe Cronin, who told him, “Francois, you pestered me plenty for Kinder when you were with the White Sox. You couldn’t have him then, but you’re in the other league now. Still want him?”

Kinder had cleared waivers in the American League, making him available to National League clubs. The Cardinals got Kinder “for a price slightly in excess of the waiver fee,” according to The Sporting News. Lane said the price was $7,500.

To Lane and Hutchinson, it was a bargain.

Control and heart

As American Leaguers, Lane and Hutchinson had seen how well Kinder pitched.

Kinder, who debuted in the big leagues as a 31-year-old rookie with the 1946 Browns, earned 23 wins as a starter for the 1949 Red Sox.

Converted to a reliever, Kinder, 39, had 27 saves, 10 wins and a 1.85 ERA in 69 appearances for the 1953 Red Sox.

In 1955, when Kinder turned 41, the right-hander still was effective, with 18 saves, five wins and a 2.84 ERA in 43 appearances for the Red Sox.

“At one time, Kinder had the greatest change-of-pace I’ve ever seen,” Hutchinson said. “He’s got control and heart _ a hell of a fine combination in a relief pitcher.”

Said Lane: “I don’t care if he’s 92 or if he does stagger in September. If he can help us early, we’re in luck.”

Kinder was stunned by the move. He had expected to end his career with the Red Sox.

“There is nothing wrong with my arm and there’s no reason why I can’t help the Cardinals next year,” Kinder said.

Red Sox trainer Jack Fadden said Kinder’s arm was sound and called him “the most courageous man I have ever seen on the pitching mound _ absolutely fearless,” The Sporting News reported.

Use it or lose it

At spring training in St. Petersburg, Fla., with the 1956 Cardinals, Kinder pitched effectively. “I throw every day,” Kinder said. “Pitchers should throw more, not less. I figure your arm is like your leg. The more you use it, the better shape it will be in.”

When Kinder made the Opening Day roster, he became the oldest Cardinals pitcher since Jesse Haines, 44, in 1937.

Hutchinson immediately showed his faith in Kinder.

On April 17, in their 1956 season opener against the Reds at Cincinnati, the Cardinals scored twice in the top of the ninth to break a 2-2 tie and take a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the ninth, starter Vinegar Bend Mizell got George Crowe to ground out before Johnny Temple walked and Smoky Burgess singled. Ted Kluszewski flied out to center for the second out.

The next batter, right-handed Wally Post, slugged 40 home runs in 1955. Hutchinson lifted Mizell, a left-hander, and brought in Kinder to face Post.

Kinder threw three pitches _ each called a strike by umpire Babe Pinelli _ and Post struck out, ending the game and earning Kinder a save in his Cardinals debut. Boxscore

Earning his keep

On April 24, 1956, Kinder earned another save for Mizell and the Cardinals against the Reds. With two on and none out in the ninth, Kinder struck out Crowe on three pitches and got Temple to hit into a double play, giving St. Louis a 5-3 triumph. Boxscore

Six days later, Kinder earned his third save in four appearances when, with a runner on first and one out in the ninth, he retired Hank Aaron and Bobby Thomson to preserve a 2-0 Cardinals victory over the Braves. Boxscore.

“As far as I’m concerned, the old fellow has earned his salary already,” Hutchinson told writer Bob Broeg.

Said Mizell of Kinder: “If anything happens to him, I’m going to pack my bags and go home.”

Return to AL

In 12 appearances through June 6, Kinder was 2-0 with six saves and a 1.10 ERA. In his next 10 appearances through July 7, Kinder had no saves and allowed nine runs.

The Cardinals placed him on waivers and Kinder was claimed by the White Sox on July 11.

Kinder’s totals for the 1956 Cardinals: 2-0 record, six saves, 3.51 ERA in 22 games.

Kinder, who turned 42 two weeks after joining the White Sox, made a triumphant return to the American League. In 29 games for the 1956 White Sox, Kinder was 3-1 with three saves and a 2.73 ERA.

The next season, Kinder appeared in one game for the White Sox and was released in May 1957, bringing to an end his big-league pitching career.

Previously: Arthur Rhodes: 1 of 5 Cardinals age 40 in a World Series