RetroSimba

(Updated March 12, 2022)

When the Cardinals acquired Jamie Moyer, he was projected to pitch in their farm system. Moyer persevered and earned a spot in the Cardinals’ starting rotation, but instead of becoming a feel-good story, he went winless in seven starts. At 28, his big-league pitching career appeared near an end.

Who could have envisioned Moyer would recover to pitch in the majors until he was 49 and become one of the top 10 left-handers in career wins?

On Jan. 9, 1991, the Cardinals reached agreement with Moyer on a minor-league contract and invited him to their big-league spring training camp as a non-roster player.

“He’s young enough that we might want to take a look at him,” Cardinals general manager Dal Maxvill told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Underwhelmed, Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz reacted with two words and a punctuation mark: “Jamie Moyer?”

Moyer, who debuted with the Cubs in 1986, had a 2-6 record and 4.66 ERA in 33 appearances for the 1990 Rangers and was released after the season.

Two teams _ Cardinals and Expos _ made offers to Moyer.

“The people at Texas gave indication that he was throwing decently,” Maxvill said.

Moyer said he chose the Cardinals because “it seems like they have a lot of young arms who are not quite ready. I thought I could fit into the Cardinals’ plans before one of their younger guys comes up.”

“All I’m looking for is an opportunity … I’ve got to prove to people that I can pitch.” Moyer said.

Opportunity knocks

The 1991 Cardinals entered spring training with a projected rotation of Joe Magrane, Jose DeLeon, Bryn Smith, Bob Tewksbury and Ken Hill. However, on March 1, the Cardinals revealed Magrane had left elbow damage and would sit out the 1991 season.

Manager Joe Torre declared rookie Omar Olivares and Moyer as the top candidates to take Magrane’s spot in the rotation.

Moyer won the competition, producing a 1.63 ERA in spring training exhibition games compared with a 7.08 ERA for Olivares.

Torre said Moyer is “a changeup pitcher. He’s not going to impress you with his stuff. You have to go on the results.”

Not good enough

Moyer made his Cardinals debut on April 12, 1991, in a start against the Phillies and took the loss, giving up five runs and seven hits in two innings. Lenny Dykstra hit a two-run home run.

“I had no location at all … I pitched horribly,” said Moyer. “It’s a humbling game.” Boxscore

He earned a measure of redemption in each of his next two starts, pitching well enough to win but getting a loss and a no-decision instead.

Moyer held the Expos to one run in seven innings on April 17 and lost, 1-0. Boxscore He gave up two runs in six innings versus the Cubs on April 22 but reliever Juan Agosto got the win. Boxscore

Cardinals pitching coach Joe Coleman convinced Moyer to try a new approach by starting his delivery with his left foot on the third base side of the pitching rubber instead of the first base side, according to the Post-Dispatch.

After a loss to the Reds on May 14 _ “They didn’t hit a ball hard off him,” Torre said _ Moyer had an 0-4 record and 5.02 ERA. Boxscore

Moyer’s next start, on May 21 against the Pirates, would be the last game he’d pitch for the Cardinals. Barry Bonds hit two home runs off Moyer, who was lifted after yielding four runs in 2.2 innings. The Pirates won, 5-3, dropping Moyer’s record to 0-5 with a 5.74 ERA. Boxscore

“Moyer didn’t have it at all,” Torre said. “His location was bad.”

Two days later, the Cardinals sent Moyer to Class AAA Louisville and moved Olivares into the rotation.

“I’ve pitched well at times and I’ve pitched horribly at times,” Moyer said. “They gave me the opportunity in spring training and that’s all I could have asked for.”

Moyer spent the remainder of the 1991 season with Louisville, posting a 5-10 record and 3.80 ERA in 20 starts before the Cardinals released him in October.

Top 10 winner

After pitching for the Toledo Mud Hens in 1992, Moyer returned to the majors with the 1993 Orioles and established himself as a consistent and durable winner.

In 25 big-league seasons with eight teams _ Cubs, Rangers, Cardinals, Orioles, Red Sox, Mariners, Phillies and Rockies _ Moyer produced a 269-209 record. In April 2012, Moyer, six months shy of his 50th birthday, became the oldest pitcher to win a major-league game, going seven innings in a 5-3 Rockies victory over the Padres.

Moyer’s career record against the Cardinals: 5-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 13 appearances.

The top 10 left-handers in career big-league wins are:

_ Warren Spahn, 363

_ Steve Carlton, 329

_ Eddie Plank, 326

_ Tom Glavine, 305

_ Randy Johnson, 303

_ Lefty Grove, 300

_ Tommy John, 288

_ Jim Kaat, 283

_ Jamie Moyer, 269

_ Eppa Rixey, 266

All except John and Moyer have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.