RetroSimba

In a matchup against the Giants, Cardinals ace Bob Gibson pitched a complete game, struck out 14 batters and slugged a home run, but it wasn’t enough to win.

On Aug. 30, 1972, the Giants beat the Cardinals, 3-2, at St. Louis despite Gibson’s dominance.

Giant killer

Gibson, 36, carried a 10-game, three-year winning streak against the Giants into his 1972 start versus them. He hadn’t lost to the Giants since Sept. 17, 1968, when Gaylord Perry pitched a no-hitter against the Cardinals at San Francisco. Since then, Gibson had posted records versus the Giants of 3-0 in 1969, 3-0 in 1970 and 4-0 in 1971.

In his only 1972 start against the Giants, Gibson held them hitless in the first inning, but yielded three singles, resulting in a run, in the second.

In the sixth, Gibson struck out the side, Bobby Bonds, Jim Howarth, Chris Speier, and led off the bottom half of the inning with a home run into the left-field seats against starter Jim Willoughby, tying the score at 1-1. It was Gibson’s fifth home run of the season and matched the career high he first achieved in 1965.

Price is right

Each of the Giants in the starting lineup struck out at least once against Gibson and he held the Giants hitless from the third inning through the eighth. “Gibson may be close to 37, but he still amazes me every time he gets out there,” Giants coach Joey Amalfitano told the Associated Press. “He’s one guy I’d pay to watch.”

The Cardinals were unable to break though against Willoughby, a rookie, and the score remained tied at 1-1 through eight.

In the ninth, a tiring Gibson yielded a walk and three singles, including RBI-hits by Dave Rader and Tito Fuentes, giving the Giants a 3-1 lead.

Bernie Carbo hit a solo home run off Willoughby in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn’t enough for the Cardinals. Boxscore

“I’d trade those 14 strikeouts for a win anytime,” Gibson said.

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Ken Burkhart was the first Cardinals pitcher to earn a save and a win in relief in his first three major-league games, according to researcher Tom Orf.

Burkhart, who pitched with an unusual delivery, like someone heaving a shot put, was 28 when he achieved his feat in April 1945.

Working the farm

Burkhart (the original spelling of the name was Burkhardt) was working as a machinist in Cleveland in the summer of 1937 when he attended a Cardinals tryout camp at Columbus, Ohio. The Cardinals invited him to their baseball school at Winter Haven, Fla., the following spring.

The Cardinals signed Burkhart, 21, at the 1938 Winter Haven camp and he began an odyssey through the St. Louis farm system.

Burkhart earned 20 wins for Class B Asheville (N.C.) in 1940. A broken left leg in 1942 set him back.

After posting a 15-9 record for Class AA Columbus (Ohio) in 1944, Burkhart was invited to the Cardinals’ spring training camp in 1945. With several pitchers in military service, Burkhart was given a long look by the Cardinals and the rookie won a spot on their Opening Day roster.

“It seemed a long time coming up, but I kept aiming for the top,” Burkhart told The Sporting News.

Fast start

On April 21, 1945, Burkhart made his major-league debut in the Cardinals’ home opener, pitching two scoreless innings and getting the win in a 3-2 St. Louis victory over the Reds at Sportsman’s Park.

Following starter Blix Donnelly and Bud Byerly, Burkhart entered in the eighth with the score tied at 2-2 and retired six of the seven batters he faced in his two innings of work. In the bottom of the ninth, Johnny Hopp delivered a RBI-single against starter Arnold Carter, lifting the Cardinals to victory. Boxscore

The next day, April 22, Burkhart pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless relief in Game 2 of a doubleheader versus the Reds.

In his third appearance, April 29, Burkhart got his save.

With the Cardinals ahead, 4-3, in Game 2 of a Sunday doubleheader at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Burkhart relieved starter Mort Cooper with two outs in the seventh. He shut down the Reds, yielding no runs in 2.1 innings. The Cardinals won, 8-3. Boxscore

Relentless grinder

Burkhart completed the 1945 season with an 18-8 record and 2.90 ERA in 42 appearances for the Cardinals. He made 22 starts and 20 relief appearances, totaling 217.1 innings. The right-hander was 12-7 with a 2.75 ERA as a starter and 6-1 with three saves and a 3.40 ERA as a reliever.

Burkhart was a combined 6-0 that season against the Cubs and Dodgers.

“He’s one of the gamest pitchers I’ve ever had work for me,” Cardinals manager Billy Southworth said. “I’ve had men with more stuff, but none who ever bore down harder all the way.”

Calling strikes

His rookie season was Burkhart’s best as a big-league pitcher.

In four seasons with the Cardinals, Burkhart was 27-17 with seven saves and a 3.60 ERA. In July 1948, the Cardinals dealt Burkhart to the Reds for first baseman Babe Young. Burkhart was 0-3 with one save and a 5.40 ERA in two seasons with Cincinnati.

With his pitching career at an end, Burkhart returned to the minors and began a second career as an umpire.

Burkhart was a National League umpire from 1957-73. He worked the 1964 World Series between the Yankees and Cardinals. It was the Cardinals’ first World Series appearance since Burkhart pitched for them in 1946.

Burkhart was the home plate umpire when the Yankees won, 2-1, in Game 3 of the 1964 World Series.

In his 1964 book “Stan Musial: The Man’s Own Story,” Musial, commenting on Burkhart as a pitcher, said, “Ken had an idea the plate was wider and the strike zone bigger than he sees them now as an umpire. He had a frozen shoulder, a strange shot-put delivery, and only limited skill, but he had a good competitive heart.”

Previously: The day Ralph Kiner hit 3 home runs vs. Cardinals

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At 21, Steve Carlton was a quick study in learning the art of pitching. Combining skill with knowledge, Carlton earned his first big-league win with the Cardinals on Aug. 5, 1966.

Mixing a changeup with a fastball and curve, Carlton pitched a complete game in the Cardinals’ 7-1 victory over the Mets at Shea Stadium in New York.

“Up here you need that third pitch, especially when you’re having trouble with either your fastball or your curve,” Carlton said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I wasn’t getting my curve over this time.”

It was the first of 329 regular-season wins for Carlton in his 24 years in the big leagues. He ranks second all-time in wins among left-handers. Only Warren Spahn (363) has more.

Carlton earned 77 wins in seven years (1965-71) with the Cardinals before he was traded to the Phillies.

Hall of Fame game

In 1965, Carlton’s first big-league season, he pitched in 15 games, including two starts, for the Cardinals and had an 0-0 record.

Carlton opened the 1966 season with Tulsa and was 9-5 with a 3.59 ERA in 19 starts for the Class AAA club.

On July 25, 1966, the Cardinals and Twins played an exhibition game as part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction festivities at Cooperstown, N.Y. Not wanting to use one of their starters, the Cardinals gave the assignment to Carlton, who still was on the Tulsa roster. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Carlton pitched a complete game and struck out 10 in a 7-5 Cardinals victory. Four of the runs scored by the Twins were unearned.

Liking what they saw, the Cardinals put Carlton on their active roster and gave him a start against the Dodgers on July 31, 1966. Carlton pitched four innings, yielded two runs and didn’t get a decision.

Pitch like a pro

Five days later, with the Cardinals looking to shake a five-game losing streak, Carlton got the start against the Mets.

The leadoff batter reached base in four of the first five innings against Carlton, but the Mets scored just once. Carlton held the Mets hitless over the last four innings.

The Mets totaled six hits: five singles and a Ken Boyer double.

“The kid has a nice, easy motion and pitches as if he’s been around for 10 years,” said Mets manager Wes Westrum. “His ball is really live.”

Said Carlton: “I was getting the ball in good spots this time, but I still was putting too many men on base. Red Schoendienst (Cardinals manager) was nice going with me as long as he did.”

Carlton was supported by three Cardinals home runs, including a three-run shot from his catcher, Tim McCarver. Julian Javier contributed a two-run home run and Tito Francona had a solo shot. Boxscore

Carlton made nine starts for the 1966 Cardinals, posting a 3-3 record and 3.12 ERA.

Previously: How Chase Riddle got Steve Carlton for Cardinals

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In the first week of his first season as Cardinals manager, Tony La Russa had a problem. After five games, his bullpen was overworked. Entering the finale of a six-game road trip, La Russa needed his No. 5 starter, rookie Mike Busby, to pitch as long as possible in his big-league debut against the Braves in Atlanta.

On April 7, 1996, Busby absorbed a beating by the Braves, who scored 13 runs in four innings before Busby was relieved. The Braves scored twice in the first inning, five times in the second, four times in the third and twice in the fourth.

La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan had hoped Busby could pitch at least five innings.

Climbing the ladder

Busby was selected by the Cardinals in the 14th round of the 1991 draft. His best performance in their minor-league system was in 1993 when he was 12-2 with a 2.44 ERA for Class A Savannah.

In 1996, Busby opened the season in the big leagues for the first time as the No. 5 starter for the Cardinals behind Andy Benes, Todd Stottlemyre, Alan Benes and Tom Urbani.

After splitting the first two games of the season with the Mets, the Cardinals gave up 10 runs in a Game 3 loss to New York and won a pair against the Braves in 12 innings and in 10 innings.

Long balls

La Russa and Duncan hoped to avoid using the bullpen much in the finale of the series in Atlanta.

The Braves hammered Busby for nine hits, including seven for extra bases. Busby yielded four home runs, including a Marquis Grissom grand slam. Busby also issued four walks and hit a batter.

Duncan said Busby likely was tipping his pitches because of how he held his glove.

“The way they were swinging the bats, nothing was surprising them,” Duncan told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Said Busby: “You can’t make mistakes to those big hitters. Down in the minor leagues, you can get away with those mistakes. Here, they jump all over them.”

Guts, no glory

The Braves won, 13-3. Tony Fossas and Cory Bailey each pitched two innings of scoreless relief for St. Louis.

La Russa held a closed-door clubhouse meeting after the game.

“I made it a point to commend Mike in front of everybody,” La Russa said. “He was in a tough situation, but he never once embarrassed himself or embarrassed the team. He’s got special insides. He’ll be fine.”

Said Busby: “I don’t want any sympathy.” Boxscore

Mixed results

The next day, the Cardinals sent Busby to Class AAA Louisville and called up pitcher Brian Barber. Busby spent the remainder of the season in the minors. He was 2-5 with a 6.38 ERA for Louisville.

Busby appeared again with the Cardinals in each of the next three seasons. He was 0-2 in 1997, 5-2 in 1998 and 0-1 in 1999.

Granted free agency after the 1999 season, Busby signed with the Brewers but never pitched in the big leagues again. His career totals with the Cardinals: 5-6, 6.48 ERA in 45 games.

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