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Don Sutton vs. Cardinals: Shutouts and sorrow

Posted in Games, Opponents, Pitchers on January 26, 2021| 6 Comments »

Don Sutton pitched some gems against the Cardinals, but they deprived him of the win he wanted most.

Sutton was a consistent winner. He is tied with Nolan Ryan for 14th all-time in wins (324). He had 18 regular-season wins versus the Cardinals, including seven shutouts. Sutton came up empty, though, when he faced them in the 1982 World Series.

A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Sutton died on Jan. 18, 2021, at 75. 

Rookie success

After graduating from high school in Pensacola, Fla., Sutton, a right-hander, signed with the Dodgers as an amateur free agent at age 19 in 1964. Two years later, he was part of a Dodgers starting rotation with Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax.

On June 2, 1966, Sutton faced the Cardinals for the first time. He pitched 6.2 scoreless innings at St. Louis and got the win. Boxscore

“He’s the most developed young pitcher I’ve ever seen,” Dodgers reliever Bob Miller, a former Cardinal, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “He has a good idea of what he’s going to do every pitch.”

According to the Post-Dispatch, Sutton threw a fastball, slider and curve. The curve was delivered at three different speeds. Cardinals batters Curt Flood and Bob Skinner said Sutton also threw a spitter. For the rest of his 23-year career in the majors, Sutton faced allegations of doctoring the ball.

Old school

In 1968, when the Cardinals were National League champions for the second consecutive year, Sutton was 3-1 with a 1.82 ERA against them.

Two years later, the Cardinals got one of their most satisfying wins against Sutton.

On Aug. 28, 1970, at Los Angeles, Sutton and Cardinals rookie Jerry Reuss were locked in a scoreless duel for eight innings. In the ninth, Joe Torre hit a home run, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 victory. Boxscore

Two weeks earlier, Sutton had been rocked for six runs in two innings in a start at St. Louis. Jose Cardenal and Dal Maxvill had key hits against him.

When Sutton faced the Cardinals again at Dodger Stadium, he hit Cardenal in the hand with a pitch in the first inning. In the second, Maxvill hit the dirt to avoid being struck by Sutton’s fastball.

Reuss retaliated, throwing a pitch behind Sutton and at the level of his head. Sutton found his control after that.

In the ninth, Torre led off and worked the count to 3-and-2. Sutton threw a fastball into the heart of the strike zone and Torre walloped it over the wall in center.

“I was trying to keep from walking Torre and I was trying not to give him anything good to hit,” Sutton said. “That’s a tough situation.”

For Torre, who arrived in the majors 10 years earlier, it was just the third home run he hit at Dodger Stadium. The others came against Koufax and Drysdale.

Torre hit five home runs versus Sutton in his career.

Good stuff

Sutton was 3-0, with two shutouts, and a 1.33 ERA against the Cardinals in 1976.

The Dodgers and Mets were in serious talks during spring training that year about a trade of Sutton for Tom Seaver, the Los Angeles Times reported. The Mets backed away when they and Seaver agreed on contract terms.

On April 29, 1976, Sutton pitched a five-hit shutout against the Cardinals at Los Angeles. It gave him 41 career shutouts, one more than Koufax. Boxscore

Asked how Sutton was able to stop a Cardinals lineup with nine left-handed batters, slugger Reggie Smith told the Post-Dispatch, “When you have good stuff, it doesn’t matter who you’ve got in there.”

Smith’s teammate, Lou Brock, countered, “Yeah, he’s good as long as he has the Vaseline pitch going. He threw me a good one.”

Two weeks later, at St. Louis, Sutton pitched another five-hit shutout. Boxscore

Sutton’s third win against the 1976 Cardinals was an unusual one for him. In the Dodgers’ last game before the all-star break, manager Walter Alston asked Sutton whether he could pitch in relief that afternoon at St. Louis. Sutton hadn’t made a relief appearance in five years. “What could I say except, ‘OK, Skip,’ ” Sutton recalled.

Sutton entered the game in the seventh, pitched three innings and got the win, his first as a reliever since 1968. Boxscore

Series showdowns

On July 14, 1978, Sutton, trying for his 200th career win, was ejected from a game against the Cardinals at St. Louis. Umpire Doug Harvey tossed Sutton “for pitching a defaced baseball.” Harvey had three scuffed baseballs as evidence. Boxscore

Sutton became a free agent after the 1980 season and signed with the Astros. They traded him to the Brewers in August 1982. On the final day of the regular season, Sutton beat the Orioles, clinching a division title for the Brewers. He also got a win in the American League Championship Series versus the Angels.

The Brewers advanced to play the Cardinals in the World Series. They won the opener, 10-0, and started Sutton against rookie John Stuper in Game 2 at St. Louis. Sutton had leads of 3-0 and 4-2, but the Cardinals tied the score on Darrell Porter’s two-run double in the sixth. Sutton was lifted and the Cardinals went on to win. Boxscore and Video

Asked by the Post-Dispatch about Porter’s key hit, Sutton replied, “A good piece of hitting. That’s why he is so well-respected by those of us who stand in the middle of the mound.”

The Brewers won two of the next three, giving them a chance to clinch the championship in Game 6 at St. Louis. The matchup again was Sutton versus Stuper.

With the Dodgers, Sutton played for four league champions (1966, 1974, 1977 and 1978) but none won a World Series crown. At 37, he finally could be part of a World Series champion if he beat the Cardinals in Game 6.

“Nothing in my life comes close in magnitude to this game,” Sutton told the Post-Dispatch.

The Cardinals made it a blowout. Porter and Keith Hernandez each hit a two-run home run against Sutton. He gave up seven runs before being lifted with one out in the fifth. Stuper pitched a four-hitter and the Cardinals won, 13-1. Boxscore and Video

“He wasn’t vintage Sutton,” said Cardinals second baseman Tommy Herr. “He was up in the strike zone a lot. He has to pitch to spots.”

Sutton told the Post-Dispatch, “I had good stuff, but bad location. I have no excuse.”

Years later, for the book “Where Have You Gone ’82 Brewers,” Sutton said, “When I got to St. Louis, I was out of gas … There wasn’t a whole lot left. That’s why I always said I wish I could have given Milwaukee younger innings in the World Series.”

Sutton continued to pitch until he was 43. His last season was in 1988 with the Dodgers. They released him in August and he was a spectator when they won the World Series championship in October.

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How Bernard Gilkey sought encore with Cardinals

Posted in Games, Hitters, Opponents on January 23, 2021| 4 Comments »

Bernard Gilkey hoped to cap his playing career with a second stint for his hometown team, the Cardinals, but it didn’t work out.

On Jan. 5, 2001, the Cardinals signed Gilkey, a free agent, to a minor-league contract for $700,000 and invited him to spring training to try for a spot as a reserve outfielder.

The Cardinals’ top three outfielders, J.D. Drew, Jim Edmonds and Ray Lankford, all batted from the left side. A right-handed batter, Gilkey, 34, was projected as someone who could fill in against left-handed pitching.

Making his mark

Gilkey, a St. Louis native, began his career with the Cardinals and played for them from 1990-95. He had his best season as a Cardinal in 1993, hitting .305, with 40 doubles, and scoring 99 runs.

In January 1996, a month after the Cardinals acquired outfielder Ron Gant, Gilkey was traded to the Mets. He had a career year for the 1996 Mets, hitting .317, with 44 doubles and 30 home runs. He drove in 117 runs and scored 108.

The Mets traded Gilkey to the Diamondbacks in July 1998. Two months later, he had laser eye surgery to fix a retina and improve his vision.

On the outs

In February 1999, the Diamondbacks and Pirates agreed to a trade of Gilkey for Al Martin and Tony Womack.

One issue needed to be resolved for the trade to be completed: the clubs wanted to revise terms about deferred money in Gilkey’s contract. The revision required Gilkey’s approval in order for the trade to go through.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “that deferred money, $5 million paid into an annuity that will pay Gilkey $1 million a year for 25 years, was the rub in this trade.”

The Diamondbacks came up with a new plan for paying the deferred money, but Gilkey rejected it and refused to approve the trade.

Two days later, the Pirates sent Womack to the Diamondbacks for a pair of prospects.

Womack, who played second base for the Pirates, was put in right field by the Diamondbacks and Gilkey was moved to the bench.

A year later, Gilkey seldom played and struggled to hit. In one miserable stretch, he had one hit in 47 at-bats.

“It was just like I wasn’t part of the team,” Gilkey told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “There’s only so much cheering you can do.”

In June 2000, with his batting average for the season at .110, Gilkey was released. A few days later, the Red Sox signed him. Gilkey hit .231 in 36 games for the 2000 Red Sox and became a free agent after the season.

Good opportunity

The Cardinals got a good report on Gilkey from Red Sox assistant general manager Lee Thomas, who was director of player development for the Cardinals in 1984 when Gilkey first signed with them as an amateur.

“I think he’s got enough left where he could be a productive player off the bench,” Thomas told the Post-Dispatch.

Gilkey was one of several free-agent outfielders signed by the Cardinals in January 2001 to compete for spots as reserves. Others included Bobby Bonilla and John Mabry.

Regarding his return to the Cardinals, Gilkey said, “When I got the opportunity, I thought the baseball gods were back on my side.”

Gilkey said he was motivated to keep playing because he wanted to regain respect he thought had been lost. “I’m playing for pride now,” he said.

No vacancy

The Cardinals gave Gilkey a long look at spring training in Florida. The emergence of rookie Albert Pujols provided more competition for the outfield spots on the roster.

Before opening the season in Denver, the Cardinals went to Oakland and Seattle to play exhibition games. Gilkey made the trip, along with Bonilla, Mabry and Pujols. The Cardinals figured to keep two of the four as outfielders on the Opening Day roster. Drew, Edmonds and Lankford had locks on the other outfield spots.

On April 2, the eve of the 2001 season opener, the Cardinals put Mabry and Pujols on the roster, placed Bonilla on the disabled list and released Gilkey. According to the Post-Dispatch, Gilkey batted .196 in spring training exhibition games, but hit the ball better than the average showed.

“Gilkey had a pretty good spring training,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “He just had some guys do better.”

Gilkey said, “It’s just the way the ball bounces. I don’t feel like I was deprived or deceived or anything like that.”

Still in the game

According to the Post-Dispatch, Gilkey had indicated he might retire if he didn’t get a spot on the Cardinals’ roster, but the Braves contacted him and made a convincing pitch. “They told me there was a very good chance things would work out,” Gilkey said.

On April 12, 2001, Gilkey signed a minor-league contract with the Braves. He went to their Richmond farm team and hit .271 in 13 games.

The Braves called up Gilkey on May 4 when they were in Atlanta for a series against the Cardinals. 

“I thought I had a pretty decent spring training,” Gilkey told the Atlanta Constitution, “but when I went down to Richmond I got a lot of at-bats, so that helped.”

In his Braves debut, Gilkey was sent into the May 4 game against the Cardinals in the ninth inning. Dave Veres struck him out on a split-fingered pitch to end the game. Boxscore

The next night, manager Bobby Cox started Gilkey in left field and batted him seventh in the order. Gilkey responded with two hits, including a two-run home run, against starter Rick Ankiel in a 6-5 victory for the Braves. Boxscore

“Without that home run, we wouldn’t be quite so happy right now,” Cox said.

Gilkey hit .274 in 69 games for the 2001 Braves, who qualified for the playoffs and reached the National League Championship Series before being defeated by the Diamondbacks.

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Why Cardinals took a chance on Steve Busby

Posted in Games, Pitchers on January 20, 2021| 2 Comments »

Whitey Herzog was willing to find out whether a comeback might be in the cards for pitcher Steve Busby.

On Jan. 27, 1981, Busby signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals and was offered a chance to compete at spring training for a spot on the big-league pitching staff.

Herzog, who had the dual role of Cardinals manager and general manager, got to know Busby well when both were with the Royals. Busby pitched for the Royals his entire career in the majors. Herzog was their manager from 1975-79.

A right-hander, Busby pitched two no-hitters for the Royals and had seasons of 16, 22 and 18 wins for them. His career stalled when he injured his right shoulder and became the first pitcher to undergo rotator cuff surgery.

Special stuff

Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, Steve Busby was the cousin of Jim Busby, an outfielder in the majors for 13 seasons (1950-62).

Steve Busby was attending the University of Southern California when the Royals drafted him in 1971. He made his debut in the majors a year later.

On April 27, 1973, Busby pitched a no-hitter against the Tigers at Detroit. It was the first by a Royals pitcher. Boxscore and Video

A year later, on June 19, 1974, Busby did it again, with a no-hitter versus the Brewers at Milwaukee. Boxscore and Video

Brewers catcher Darrell Porter told United Press International, “He was powerful and he had a great arm. He would find a weakness on a guy and he would just wear him down.”

The 1974 Royals, managed by Jack McKeon, were a flawed team filled with fading former Cardinals such as Nelson Briles, Orlando Cepeda, Joe Hoerner, Lindy McDaniel and Vada Pinson. Busby and rookie third baseman George Brett gave the Royals a pair of special talents to build a team around.

Busby was 22-14 for the 1974 Royals. He made 38 starts, completed 20 and totaled 292.1 innings.

In 1975, Busby took on a similar workload. In July, McKeon was fired and replaced by Herzog. Busby “was one of the top five pitchers in baseball,” Herzog told John Schulian of Universal Press.

Two months after Herzog arrived, Busby experienced persistent shoulder pain.

Drastic measures

In 1976, Busby took numerous cortisone shots for his ailing shoulder. “He made me cry, watching him,” Herzog, wincing, said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

After beating the Orioles on June 12, Busby was 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA, but his performances declined after that. He reached a low point on July 6 in a start against the Yankees.

“I was embarrassed for Whitey and for me,” Busby said to Universal Press. “I threw like a 5-year-old. I could barely get the ball 60 feet, six inches. When I went into his office afterward, I asked him how much more of that he could stand to watch.”

It was discovered Busby had a torn rotator cuff. He decided to undergo surgery, an unprecedented step for a pitcher with that kind of injury, in July 1976.

A couple of days after the operation, Busby told Universal Press, a doctor said, “It might be best if you considered another occupation.”

“That’s kind of a sobering moment,” Busby said.

Except for one game in the minors, Busby sat out the 1977 season. He made 14 starts in the minors in 1978 and had another seven appearances with the Royals.

Darrell Porter, who was with the Royals in 1978, saw a much different pitcher than the one who tossed a no-hitter against him four years earlier. “The first time I caught him in Kansas City, I cringed.” Porter told United Press International. “It looked like it hurt him so much to throw.”

Busby, who also underwent multiple knee operations, said to the Post-Dispatch, “The toughest thing on a rehabilitation program is to keep yourself on an even keel. You have to go into it with the idea that it’s going to be a long-term process. You can be throwing well one day and the next day, nothing. That can get very discouraging and it can drive you bananas.”

Ups and downs

Busby spent the 1979 season with the Royals and was 6-6 with a 3.63 ERA. After the season, Herzog was fired and replaced by Jim Frey.

Busby began the 1980 season as a Royals reliever, but was sent to their Omaha farm club in May. On July 14, he pitched a one-hitter against Iowa. The hit was a bunt single.

Though the radar gun showed the top speed on his pitches was in the low 80s, Busby consistently hit the outside corner with his fastball and slider, The Sporting News reported.

Called back to the Royals, Busby was put in the starting rotation. He made six starts, went 1-3 with a 5.60 ERA and was released in August. The Royals went on to win the American League pennant for the first time.

“Quite honestly, the Royals and the people of Kansas City stuck with me a lot longer than could have been anticipated,” Busby said. “I’ll always be grateful for that.”

Cardinals camper

During the winter after the 1980 season, Busby and Herzog had a chance meeting at a sports banquet in Columbia, Mo. Asked by Herzog whether he thought he still could pitch, Busby said yes. Herzog arranged to give Busby, 31, a look at Cardinals camp.

“I wouldn’t have invited him if I didn’t think he had a chance,” Herzog said.

Busby said, “I want to find out if I can do it. I don’t want to get five or 10 years down the road and wonder if I could have. … I’m not the same player I was at 25, but I feel I can pitch major league baseball.”

The move reunited Busby with Herzog and Porter, who had become the Cardinals’ catcher.

Wearing uniform No. 60 at Cardinals spring training in St. Petersburg, Fla., Busby was given many opportunities to pitch, including two innings in the Grapefruit League opener against the Mets.

After Busby faced the Mets again on St. Patrick’s Day and pitched four strong innings, Herzog said, “I haven’t seen Busby show such control since before his rotator cuff surgery.”

Busby lasted deep into spring training and was considered a candidate for the Cardinals’ last open bullpen spot. His last two outings sealed his fate.

On March 30, Busby allowed seven hits, two walks and three runs in four innings versus the Mets. Five days later, on April 4, he started against the Braves, pitched six innings and gave up three runs on seven hits.

Herzog said, “I know he’s getting better. I can see it,” but a discouraged Busby told the Post-Dispatch, “This was pretty well my last shot. … If I was the manager, I would have gotten rid of me then.”

Decision time

On April 6, the Post-Dispatch reported the Cardinals assigned Busby to their Springfield, Ill., farm club and gave him a day or two to decide whether to report.

“I know how long he’s been through this,” Herzog told the Kansas City Star. “He’s improved so much. He’s been good one time, not so good the next, all spring. I think he might make it if he gives himself a little more time.”

Busby drove from St. Petersburg to the Royals’ spring training site in Fort Myers to consult with two friends, pitcher Paul Splittorff and broadcaster Fred White.

“We stayed up most of the night, sharing thoughts and ideas,” Splittorff told the Kansas City Star. “When he left us, I had the impression he would report to Springfield.”

Instead, Busby told the Cardinals he was through.

“It’s time to hang it up,” Busby said. “I gave myself a deadline, spring training. This is it.”

A few days later, Busby launched a second career as a sports broadcaster.

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Why Gregg Olson was worth a look for Cardinals

Posted in Games, Pitchers on January 17, 2021| 2 Comments »

Gregg Olson wanted to be a closer again in the major leagues and figured the Cardinals would give him a chance.

On Jan. 23, 1996, Olson, a free agent, signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals for $600,000.

The Cardinals were seeking a closer to replace Tom Henke, who retired. They invited Olson to their major-league spring training camp, providing him an opportunity to make the team.

Olson, the relief ace of the Orioles before injuring his right elbow, said he thought he was being brought in to compete for the closer’s role.

Rookie sensation

Born and raised in Nebraska, Olson attended Auburn and was a teammate of Frank Thomas and Bo Jackson as a freshman.

A right-hander, Olson was chosen by the Orioles as the fourth pick in the first round of the 1988 amateur draft. Selected ahead of him were Andy Benes (Padres), Mark Lewis (Indians) and Steve Avery (Braves).

In 1989, Olson received the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Tom Gordon of the Royals was second in the balloting and Ken Griffey Jr. of the Mariners was third. Olson was 5-2 with 27 saves and a 1.69 ERA for the 1989 Orioles. In 85 innings pitched, he struck out 90 and allowed 57 hits.

Olson had more than 30 saves for the Orioles three years in a row (1990-92). Tony La Russa, who managed the Athletics then and who chose Olson for the 1990 all-star team, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “He’s got an excellent fastball. You can always tell how good it is because he’s able to pitch up in the strike zone without getting hurt.”

Arm woes

In 1993, Olson was having another stellar season, with 29 saves and a 1.60 ERA, when he went on the disabled list Aug. 9 because of a ligament tear in his right elbow. “I went from (throwing) 90 mph to 82 in a heartbeat,” Olson said to the Post-Dispatch.

He rejected reconstructive surgery because he didn’t want to sit out a year.

Granted free agency in December 1993, Olson signed with the Braves and opened the 1994 season in the minors. He was called up to the Braves in May. Olson made 16 appearances for them and had a 9.20 ERA when the season was halted in August by the players’ strike.

A free agent again, Olson signed with the Indians in March 1995. He began the season in the minors and had 13 saves in 18 appearances. Olson got called up to the Indians in June and was shipped to the Royals in July.

Olson pitched well for the Royals in the last two months of the 1995 season. “He’s got a drop-dead curveball and he’s getting it over,” Royals manager Bob Boone told The Sporting News.

The Royals’ closer, Jeff Montgomery, was eligible to become a free agent after the season and Olson ‘”figured to be a possible replacement” if Montgomery departed, the Kansas City Star reported.

Olson got a scare in a game against the Indians on Sept. 29 when he experienced pain in his right elbow, but medical tests showed muscle irritation, no ligament damage, according to Royals officials.

In 20 appearances for the 1995 Royals, Olson was 3-3 with three saves and a 3.26 ERA.

Montgomery and Olson became free agents, but Montgomery opted to re-sign with the Royals. General manager Herk Robinson said Olson “would love to pitch here,” the Kansas City Star reported, but wanted to be a closer. With Montgomery returning, Olson sought alternatives.

Insurance policy

A month before the start of spring training in 1996, the Cardinals’ top candidates for the closer role were T.J. Mathews and John Frascatore. The Cardinals were hoping to acquire closer Dennis Eckersley from the Athletics. They signed Olson as insurance in case Eckersley wasn’t available.

With Olson, Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty told the Post-Dispatch, “We have a proven closer who not too long ago was considered one of the game’s top relievers.”

Regarding Olson’s elbow trouble, Jocketty said, “He is starting to come back. By midseason or sooner he might be pretty reliable.”

Jeff Moorad, Olson’s agent, said of the Cardinals’ move, “This is a chance to catch lightning in a bottle. This type of bargain basement shopping is why Walt Jocketty is so highly regarded.”

Three weeks after they signed Olson, the Cardinals acquired Eckersley and named him the closer. The deal reunited Eckersley with manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan, who were in their first season with the Cardinals after leaving the Athletics.

Olson was stung. He told the Post-Dispatch he signed with the Cardinals because he wanted to be the closer.

“I was excited about the opportunity, and I still am, but I thought I was stealing a great opportunity,” Olson said. “I’m not demanding anything, but ultimately I’d like to close. I want to get back where I walk off the mound and the team walks off with me.”

La Russa indicated Olson, 29, might be used to close games when Eckersley, 41, wasn’t available to pitch.

“It’s very helpful to have more than one guy who can pitch because Eckersley is not quite as durable as he was a half-dozen years ago,” La Russa said.

Duncan said of Olson, “If he’s healthy, he’ll surprise a lot of people in camp.”

On the move

Soon after, on Feb. 22, the Post-Dispatch reported Olson “has to cut back drills because of a strained muscle in his forearm.”

Olson was sidelined for more than two weeks before he was ready to pitch in exhibition games. He struggled to throw his curveball for strikes.

“There are about three guys around who can get by throwing all fastballs, and I’m not one of them,” Olson told The Sporting News.

On March 24, Olson was assigned to the minor-league camp. The Cardinals allowed him to contact other clubs before he had to report to Louisville. The Cardinals released him when the Reds showed interest.

Olson began the 1996 season with a Reds farm club and earned four saves in seven games. The Reds traded him to the Tigers. In 43 games for the 1996 Tigers, Olson was 3-0 with eight saves and a 5.02 ERA.

On Aug. 26, 1996, the Astros, who were challenging the Cardinals in the National League Central Division, acquired Olson from the Tigers.

A week later, on Sept. 4, the Astros were in St. Louis to play the Cardinals, with first place at stake. The Cardinals led the second-place Astros by a half-game in the standings.

In the seventh inning, with the Cardinals ahead, 5-1, Olson relieved Donne Wall. Royce Clayton singled, stole second, advanced to third on Ray Lankford’s flyout and scored on Olson’s wild pitch. The run gave the Cardinals a 6-1 lead and provided a valuable cushion. The Astros rallied against Eckersley but fell short, losing 6-4 and dropping 1.5 games behind the Cardinals. Boxscore

The Cardinals went on to become division champions. Olson went on to pitch for the Twins, Royals again, and Diamondbacks before finishing with the Dodgers in 2001. He had 30 saves for the 1998 Diamondbacks, an expansion team.

In 14 years in the majors, Olson had 40 wins and 217 saves.

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Cardinals shredded all foes with spark from Nick Punto

Posted in Games, Hitters on January 14, 2021| 4 Comments »

Nick Punto fielded flawlessly at second base for the Cardinals in the 2011 postseason and helped them become World Series champions.

On Jan. 21, 2011, the Cardinals signed Punto, a free agent, to fill a utility role as the backup to Skip Schumaker at second, Ryan Theriot at short and David Freese at third.

When the Cardinals surged into a playoff spot in September, Punto was a key contributor. He helped with his glove and bat, and also with his hijinks. Punto got the nickname “Shredder” for playfully tearing off the uniform jerseys of teammates during impromptu victory celebrations.

Versatile player

A switch-hitter, Punto made his major-league debut with the Phillies in 2001. He got traded to the Twins two years later. With the Twins, Punto was the starter at second base in 2005, at third base in 2006 and 2007, and at shortstop in 2008 and 2009. He opened the 2010 season as the Twins’ starting third baseman before being shifted into a utility role.

Granted free agency after the 2010 season, Punto, 33, signed with the Cardinals for one year at $750,000.

Punto replaced Aaron Miles, who became a free agent after the 2010 season. The Cardinals showed little interest in retaining Miles, who went to the Dodgers.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak described Punto as a “much better than average defensive player,” the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

At spring training, Punto had surgery for a hernia and began the season on the disabled list. With Punto shelved, Daniel Descalso and Tyler Greene were the Cardinals’ utility infielders.

In and out

Punto healed faster than expected and was activated on April 19. Ten days later, his two-run triple with two outs in the 11th inning lifted the Cardinals to a victory over the Braves. Boxscore

On May 10, another triple by Punto drove in the go-ahead run in a win against the Cubs. Boxscore

A week later, Punto’s season skidded to a halt when he went back on the disabled list because of a right forearm strain that made it painful for him to throw.

Punto was out for six weeks. When he returned to the lineup on June 28, he went 2-for-4 with a RBI and run scored against the Orioles. His leadoff triple in the seventh led to a run. Boxscore

Soon after, Punto began to experience significant pain while throwing. It got so bad that on July 17, after Punto singled against the Reds, manager Tony La Russa didn’t let him go to the field, using catcher Tony Cruz to play second base instead. Boxscore

Cruz became the eighth player the Cardinals used at second base in 2011, joining Allen Craig, Daniel Descalso, Tyler Greene, Pete Kozma, Skip Schumaker, Ryan Theriot and Punto.

Punto told the Post-Dispatch the pain was “definitely affecting” his throws. “I can’t keep putting the team at risk by continuing to play like this,” Punto said.

On July 29, Punto was placed on the disabled list for the third time that season. The injury was diagnosed as a strained oblique muscle.

Welcome back

Punto stayed on the disabled list until September. When he returned, he made an immediate impact.

On Sept. 9, the Cardinals (76-67) opened a three-game series at home against the Braves (84-60). The Braves were the leaders for the wild-card spot in the playoffs, and the Cardinals needed a series sweep to enhance their chances of overtaking them.

In the ninth inning, Albert Pujols delivered a two-run single with two outs, tying the score. In the 10th, Punto, appearing in a Cardinals game for the first time since July 28, drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly. Boxscore

La Russa told the Post-Dispatch he was confident Punto would come through because he recalled how Punto tripled to beat the Braves in extra innings in April.

Punto’s teammates celebrated by shredding Punto’s jersey. Punto said the idea of shredding a jersey after a big win came from his wife, Natalie, when he was with the Twins.

“We clinched to get into the playoffs and we were celebrating and she ripped my shirt,” Punto recalled. “I kind of liked it. So I ripped everybody else’s shirts.”

The win propelled the Cardinals to the coveted series sweep of the Braves. A few days later, Punto hit a game-winning double against the Pirates. Video

The Cardinals went on to win 18 of 26 games in September and edged the Braves for the wild-card spot.

Punto hit .308 in September and had an on-base percentage of .424 for the month. He finished the regular season with a .278 batting mark in 63 games and an on-base percentage of .388. He hit .359 with runners in scoring position.

Making the plays

Punto played a prominent role in the Cardinals’ postseason. He started at second base in the decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Phillies and made terrific fielding plays to help gain a 1-0 victory for the Cardinals. “La Russa’s decision to start Punto paid off,” Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz noted. Boxscore

In the National League Championship Series versus the Brewers, Punto made four starts at second base and the Cardinals won all four games. He also started in five games at second in the World Series against the Rangers. He had five walks and three hits in 19 plate appearances for a World Series on-base percentage of .421.

“His penchant for doing the right things at bat and not the wrong things in the field have been notable,” the Post-Dispatch reported.

Punto played 85.2 innings in the 2011 postseason and committed no errors.

La Russa described him as “a very heady player” and “an extremely valuable defensive player.”

Punto became a free agent after the Cardinals won the 2011 World Series title. The Cardinals expressed interest in bringing back Punto, but he went with the Red Sox, who gave him a two-year contract worth $3 million.

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Pat Borders: From Opening Day catcher to Cardinals outcast

Posted in Games, Hitters on January 11, 2021| 5 Comments »

Catcher Pat Borders experienced a wide range of highs and lows in his short stay with the Cardinals.

On Jan. 14, 1996, Borders, a free agent, signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals and was invited to spring training.

Borders, 32, earned a roster spot, made the Opening Day starting lineup and represented the Cardinals as their catcher on the National League all-star ballot.

By June, he no longer was on the team.

Center stage

A standout high school player in Lake Wales, Fla., Borders was chosen by the Blue Jays in the sixth round of the 1982 amateur baseball draft.

He played third base and first base his first four seasons in the minors before converting to catcher in 1986.

Borders made his debut in the majors in 1988, and he was the Blue Jays’ starting catcher when they won consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston liked Borders for his durability and skill at blocking pitches in the dirt.

In 1992, the Blue Jays played 12 postseason games _ six against manager Tony La Russa’s Athletics in the American League Championship Series and six versus the Braves in the World Series _ and Borders produced hits in all of them.

Borders was named most valuable player of the 1992 World Series. He hit .450. With nine hits and two walks in 22 plate appearances, his on-base percentage was .500.

Bad timing

Granted free agency after the strike-shortened 1994 season, Borders found few takers. Team owners claimed they lost $700 million in the strike and weren’t in the mood to spend.

In April 1995, Borders, who was paid $2.5 million by the Blue Jays in 1994, signed with the Royals for $310,000.

“It’s a big reduction,” Borders told the Toronto Sun, “but then again I remember the days when I had a job making $5 an hour. Besides, I’m doing something I love.”

Brent Mayne did most of the catching for the 1995 Royals. Borders was traded to the Astros in August. Borders said the trade “came as a complete shock,” but the Kansas City Star reported he “had too many defensive deficiencies.”

Opportunity knocks

A free agent after the 1995 season, Borders appealed to the Cardinals, who were seeking a backup to catcher Tom Pagnozzi. In 1995, Pagnozzi hit .215 and was limited to 62 games because of multiple injuries. It was the third consecutive year Pagnozzi spent time on the disabled list. The Cardinals hoped Borders would join Danny Sheaffer in giving them depth at catcher.

Borders signed a one-year deal for $350,000. He told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Pagnozzi is a Gold Glove catcher. I don’t think anyone would be ashamed of being a backup to him.”

He also was looking forward to playing for manager Tony La Russa, who left the Athletics for the Cardinals after the 1995 season.

“From what I understand from other players, La Russa prepares his pitchers and catchers to be as mentally ready as anybody in the game,” Borders said.

Borders impressed La Russa with his play at Cardinals spring training in 1996. In late March, Pagnozzi injured his left wrist and went on the disabled list. Borders was selected by La Russa to start at catcher in the season opener against the Mets at New York.

According to the Post-Dispatch, La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan “were impressed with his game-calling this spring.”

In and out

Borders, batting seventh, had two hits and scored a run in the Cardinals’ 1996 season opener. Boxscore

He did most of the catching for the Cardinals in the first month of the season, playing in 17 of their first 25 games and batting .351 for April. “I’m catching a lot more than I did last year,” Borders said. “This is wonderful.”

When the ballots came out for fan voting for the all-star team, Borders was the Cardinals catcher listed by Major League Baseball.

Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz noted, “He’s a bulldog behind the plate. He’s hitting, too. It’s going to be difficult, any time soon, for Tom Pagnozzi to take the catcher’s equipment away from Borders.”

May was a different story. Pagnozzi, who played six games in April, played in 23 games in May and hit .325.

“How do I say this? We just needed some consistency back there,” Pagnozzi said. “We needed a little bit of leadership back there, some direction.”

La Russa said Borders and Sheaffer “did a real good job,” but Pagnozzi “deserved the playing time. He does a good job handling pitchers and shows imagination in his pitch selection.”

On May 10, Borders entered a game against the Dodgers in the 11th inning and played first base for the first time in the majors. In the 12th, a hard grounder by Eric Karros went off Borders’ glove for an error and Raul Mondesi scored from second with the winning run. Boxscore

“It was a play I should have made,” Borders said. “It cost us the game.”

From May 7 to June 9, Borders got a total of seven at-bats.

“He’s a major-league catcher,” La Russa said. “I’m hoping an opportunity opens up for him.”

On June 15, 1996, the Cardinals traded Borders to the Angels for pitcher Ben VanRyn. 

In 26 games for the Cardinals, Borders hit .319.

He went on to play a total of 17 seasons in the majors.

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