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Price was right for Cardinals to get Dennis Eckersley

Posted in Pitchers, Trades on February 6, 2016| Leave a Comment »

(Updated Oct. 26, 2024)

Needing a closer, the 1996 Cardinals wanted Dennis Eckersley. What they didn’t want was the obligation to pay his entire salary.

dennis_eckersley3When the Athletics agreed to pay part of the sum and Eckersley agreed to defer much of the rest, the Cardinals agreed to a deal.

On Feb. 13, 1996, the Cardinals got Eckersley from the Athletics for reliever Steve Montgomery.

Eckerlsey, 41, was under contract to receive $2.2 million in 1996.

To make the trade, all sides agreed to this arrangement: The Athletics would pay him $700,000, the Cardinals would pay him $500,000 and Eckersley would defer $1 million to another year, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Sticking together

Looking to rebuild after finishing in last place in 1995, the Athletics were eager to grant Eckersley’s request to be traded to St. Louis. Eckersley sought to be reunited with manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan.

Eckersley was transformed from a starter to a closer by La Russa and Duncan after he was traded to the Athletics by the Cubs in April 1987. With Eckersley reliably sealing wins, the Athletics won three consecutive American League pennants and a World Series title from 1988-90.

Asked about La Russa by Chicago Tribune columnist Jerome Holtzman, Eckersley said, “I respect everything about him.”

Because he had pitched in the big leagues for at least 10 years, including the last five in a row with one club, Eckersley could veto a trade.

“If he goes elsewhere, it’ll be St. Louis,” Athletics general manager Sandy Alderson told The Sporting News. “It won’t be anywhere else.”

Experience wanted

La Russa, who left the Athletics after the 1995 season to become manager of the Cardinals, told Rick Hummel of the Post-Dispatch he was “hoping” Eckersley could be acquired by the time training camp opened at St. Petersburg, Fla. Acknowledging that negotiations were held up, La Russa added, “I don’t know if it can happen.”

Eckersley had one of his worst seasons in 1995. Though he earned 29 saves in 38 chances, Eckersley had a 4.83 ERA in 52 appearances. It was his third consecutive season with an ERA above 4.00. From 1988 through 1992, Eckersley posted ERAs below 3.00 each year.

“Eck has got plenty left physically,” La Russa said. “Mentally and emotionally, he’s still at the top of his game.”

Tom Henke, who had 36 saves and a 1.82 ERA for the 1995 Cardinals, had retired, leaving St. Louis without an established closer.

The Cardinals envisioned Eckersley as a fit for the role while a pair of potential successors, T.J. Mathews and John Frascatore, continued to develop.

Oakland connections

After the deal was made, La Russa said, “We’re getting a guy who will be anywhere from good to great as a closer this year.”

Said Eckersley: “To be an effective closer, you have to have a manager who knows how to use you.”

It also helped that Dave Duncan was there, too. Eckersley described Duncan to Stan McNeal of Cardinals Magazine this way: “He was analytics before analytics.”

“I had been in the big leagues a long time, but when Duncan said something, I listened,” Eckersley told McNeal. “He was a calming force. You know how it is when you trust somebody implicitly? That was me with Duncan.”

The Athletics reportedly wanted Mathews _ who would be dealt to Oakland a year later for slugger Mark McGwire _ but settled for Montgomery, 25, a prospect who earned 36 saves for manager Mike Ramsey at Class AA Arkansas in 1995.

“This was more to accommodate Dennis than acquire Steve,” Alderson told the San Francisco Chronicle. “… This is what Dennis wanted and, given where we are, this is probably best for us, too.”

Eckersley joined Rick Honeycutt, Mike Gallego and Todd Stottlemyre as former Athletics the Cardinals acquired since La Russa became their manager.

“I was 41 when I was traded to the Cardinals, but Tony and Duncan still trusted me,” Eckersley told Cardinals Magazine. “I can’t imagine having gone to another regime and trying to make my mark at that point in my career.”

Eckersley pitched two seasons for the Cardinals. He had 30 saves in 38 chances (0-6 record, 3.30 ERA) in 1996. He followed that with 36 saves in 44 chances (1-5 record, 3.91 ERA) in 1997.

In two years with the Athletics, Montgomery was a combined 1-1 with a 9.45 ERA. He also pitched for the 1999 Phillies and 2000 Padres.

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Cardinals gave up too quickly on Brooks Lawrence

Posted in Games, Pitchers, Trades on January 28, 2016| 2 Comments »

Brooks Lawrence, a 15-game winner as a Cardinals rookie pitcher in 1954, was their Opening Day starter in 1955, but he was weak from a bleeding ulcer, slumped and got demoted to the minor leagues.

brooks_lawrenceThe Cardinals decided Lawrence wouldn’t regain the effectiveness he had as a rookie.

On Jan. 31, 1956, the Cardinals traded Lawrence and pitcher Sonny Senerchia to the Reds for reliever Jackie Collum. It was the first deal general manager Frank Lane made since he joined the Cardinals in October 1955.

It turned out the Cardinals gave up on Lawrence too soon.

With his strength back and his ulcer under control, Lawrence pitched for the Reds in 1956 the way he had as a Cardinals rookie.

Long road to majors

In 1943, after graduating from high school in Springfield, Ohio, Lawrence joined the Army and served in the Pacific. He was awarded a Bronze Star for using a machine gun to fight off an enemy plane attacking U.S. soldiers. After military service, he attended Miami University in Ohio in 1947. Two years later, he began his professional pitching career in the Cleveland Indians’ farm system.

The Reds acquired Lawrence from the Indians in October 1953 on the recommendation of former Cardinals catcher Mickey Owen, who managed Lawrence in the winter league at Puerto Rico and taught him to throw a slider and a changeup. The Reds left Lawrence exposed in the 1953 minor-league draft and the Cardinals claimed him.

Lawrence opened the 1954 season with the Cardinals’ Class AAA club at Columbus, Ohio, and was promoted to St. Louis in June 1954.

Milestone performance

In his major-league debut against the Pirates at Pittsburgh, Lawrence, 29, started, pitched a four-hitter and became the first African-American pitcher to earn a win for the Cardinals. Boxscore

In 35 appearances for the 1954 Cardinals, Lawrence was 15-6 with a 3.74 ERA. He was adept at starting (9-2, 3.85 ERA) and relieving (6-4, 3.25 ERA).

Against the Cubs that season, Lawrence was 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA.

Medical emergency

Shortly after the 1954 season, Lawrence collapsed at his Springfield, Ohio, home. “I was coming out of the bathroom and passed out from loss of blood,” he told The Sporting News.

Diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer, Lawrence needed eight transfusions and spent 10 days in a hospital. “The doctor told me that if they had waited a half hour longer to bring me to the hospital it would have been too late,” Lawrence said.

According to The Sporting News, Lawrence was placed on a strict diet of milk, cream and baby food.

“I reported for spring training in 1955 weighing 217 pounds,” Lawrence said. “That’s about 12 pounds more than I usually weigh. I was healthy and looked it, but I wasn’t strong.”

Shaky season

Lawrence was the choice of manager Eddie Stanky to be the 1955 Cardinals’ Opening Day starter at Chicago against the Cubs, but he was shelled for five runs and lifted before he could complete the first inning. Boxscore

The poor start foreshadowed his season. In 46 games, including 10 starts, for the 1955 Cardinals, Lawrence was 3-8 with a 6.56 ERA.

He was equally bad as a starter (2-5, 6.58 ERA) and as a reliever (1-3, 6.55 ERA).

Against the Cubs that season, Lawrence was 0-3 with an 11.37 ERA.

After Lawrence was demoted to the minor leagues in August, Harry Walker, who had replaced Stanky as manager, said, “He’s a good man and I hope he proves again that he’s a good pitcher.”

Lawrence finished the season on an upswing, posting a 5-1 record and 2.37 ERA for Class AAA Oakland of the Pacific Coast League.

Change environment

After the 1955 season, Lane was tasked with rebuilding a club that finished 68-86.

Lane asked his Reds counterpart, Gabe Paul, about a pair of former Cardinals, Collum and third baseman Ray Jablonski. “When I heard what he wanted in return,” Lane said, “I told him he must have been the key man in the Brink’s holdup.”

Paul countered by saying Lane “was too much in love with St. Louis major- and minor-leaguers” to strike a deal.

Columnist Dick Young reported Paul contacted Lawrence “to ascertain that the pitcher’s ulcers have not been kicking up.”

Cardinals doctors declared Lawrence cured of ulcers, The Sporting News reported.

Said Lawrence: “There was nothing wrong with my arm last year. That ulcer was the trouble.”

Make a deal

The trade was made when Lane agreed to take only Collum in exchange for Lawrence and Senerchia.

“It’s not earth-shaking,” Lane said to United Press, “but it’s a start.”

Surprised, Lawrence said he thought the Cardinals “would have at least given me a good look” in spring training.

Lawrence worked for the water department in Springfield that winter and said, “I operated an air hammer. That takes the fat off you.”

Collum, who had pitched for the Cardinals from 1951-53 and was 9-8 for the 1955 Reds, “is not a great pitcher, but he’s a great competitor,” Lane said.

Used mostly in relief with the 1956 Cardinals, Collum was 6-2 with seven saves and a 4.20 ERA.

Lawrence won his first 13 decisions with the 1956 Reds and finished the season 19-10 with a 3.99 ERA.

Previously: The debut of Bill Greason, first black Cardinals pitcher

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Why Bernard Gilkey no longer fit Cardinals plans

Posted in Hitters, Pitchers, Prospects, Trades on January 25, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Deemed too expensive to be a reserve and not enough of a power hitter to remain the everyday left fielder, Bernard Gilkey no longer fit into the Cardinals’ plans.

bernard_gilkey3Looking to restock their farm system, the Cardinals were offered packages of prospects by the Mets, White Sox and Royals for Gilkey.

On Jan. 22, 1996, the Cardinals traded Gilkey, 29, to the Mets for three minor-league players: right-handed pitchers Eric Ludwick and Erik Hiljus and outfielder Yudith Ozorio.

In the short term, the deal had little impact on the Cardinals, even though Gilkey had a career year with the 1996 Mets. The Cardinals won the 1996 National League Central Division championship and qualified for the postseason for the first time since 1987.

In the long term, the trade hurt the Cardinals because they didn’t get the pitching help they needed. Neither Ludwick nor Hiljus could help a staff whose team ERA increased each year from 1997 through 1999, contributing to the Cardinals missing the playoffs in those seasons.

Hometown regular

Gilkey, a St. Louis native, debuted with the Cardinals in 1990, replaced Vince Coleman as the starting left fielder in 1991 and held the position through 1995.

For those six years, he batted .282 with 602 hits in 593 games. In 1993, his best Cardinals season, Gilkey batted .305 with 170 hits, including 40 doubles, 16 home runs, 15 stolen bases and a .370 on-base percentage.

However, Gilkey never hit more than 17 home runs or produced more than 70 RBI in a season with St. Louis.

In December 1995, the Cardinals signed free-agent Ron Gant, 30, to a contract for five years and $25 million. Gant had three times hit 32 or more home runs with the Braves and twice had topped 100 RBI. He had driven in at least 80 in five consecutive seasons.

Money ball

Gilkey was paid $1.6 million in 1995, when he led NL left fielders in fielding percentage (.986) and batted .298 with 17 home runs and 69 RBI.

Eligible for salary arbitration, Gilkey was seeking $3 million in 1996. The Cardinals offered $2.5 million. A settlement likely could be reached for $2.8 million, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

However, the Cardinals were looking to acquire a closer, either Dennis Eckersley of the Athletics or free-agent Gregg Olson, and trading Gilkey would help free up money to make such a deal.

“The only reason we’d have to move Gilkey is because of money,” Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said.

It’s business

Projecting a 1996 outfield of Gant in left, Ray Lankford in center and Brian Jordan in right, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa discussed the possibility of moving Gilkey to first base. “We were saying that, but I didn’t see that as an alternative,” Jocketty said. “That probably would have hurt us defensively.”

On the day he was traded, Gilkey said, “I’m not bitter. I understand business.”

He was, however, hurt by the rejection.

“Once they signed Ron Gant, I knew the opportunity for me playing in St. Louis was slim,” Gilkey said. “It’s kind of shocking to know that you’ve played with the St. Louis Cardinals through all the down times and you did whatever you could to help. All of a sudden, they turn into contenders and they send me on my way.”

Of the players acquired by the Cardinals, Ludwick, 24, projected to be the most promising. He had a 13-6 record and 3.31 ERA for Mets farm teams in 1995. “We have excellent reports on him,” Jocketty said.

Hiljus, 23, was 10-8 with a 3.94 ERA in the minors in 1995. Ozorio, 21, batted .217 with 40 stolen bases in Class A.

The aftermath

Joining a revamped Mets outfield that included another former Cardinal, Lance Johnson, in center, Gilkey had a sensational 1996 season. He batted .317 with 181 hits, including 44 doubles, 30 home runs, 117 RBI, 17 stolen bases and a .393 on-base percentage.

Gant hit .246 with 103 hits, including 14 doubles, 30 home runs, 82 RBI, 13 stolen bases and a .359 on-base percentage for the 1996 Cardinals.

Though Gilkey outperformed Gant in 1996, the Cardinals finished 88-74 and reached the NL Championship Series. The Mets finished 71-91.

Neither Hiljus nor Ozorio would play for St. Louis. Both were out of the Cardinals’ organization after the 1997 season.

Ludwick, older brother of outfielder Ryan Ludwick, pitched well at Class AAA Louisville _ 2.83 ERA in 1996 and 2.92 ERA in 1997 _ but flopped in two stints with the Cardinals. He was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in six games for the 1996 Cardinals and 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA in five appearances for the 1997 Cardinals.

On July 31, 1997, the Cardinals traded Ludwick and pitchers T.J. Mathews and Blake Stein to the Athletics for first baseman Mark McGwire.

Previously: How Bernard Gilkey foiled an opponent’s masterpiece

Previously: How Bernard Gilkey spoiled Frank Castillo’s big moment

 

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Why Cardinals were appealing to Todd Stottlemyre

Posted in Pitchers, Trades on January 19, 2016| Leave a Comment »

(Updated March 20, 2022)

Valuing a mentor who could help him develop into a consistently productive starting pitcher, Todd Stottlemyre sought a trade from the Athletics to either the Yankees or the Cardinals.

todd_stottlemyre2His father, Mel, was pitching coach of the Yankees. Dave Duncan, who had served as somewhat of a surrogate father to Todd with the Athletics, was pitching coach of the Cardinals.

On Jan. 9, 1996, the Athletics honored his request, trading Stottlemyre to the Cardinals for outfielder Allen Battle and pitchers Carl Dale, Bret Wagner and Jay Witasick.

Stottlemyre, 30, joined free-agent acquisition Andy Benes as right-handers who bolstered a 1996 Cardinals rotation that included holdovers Donovan Osborne, Alan Benes and Mike Morgan.

Bernie Miklasz, columnist of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, wrote, “The Cardinals have actually recruited starting pitchers who can throw fastballs by hitters.”

Stottlemyre certainly could do that. In 1995, he ranked first among American League right-handers in strikeouts. One reason he wanted to join the Cardinals was because Duncan was helping him learn to throw more than a fastball.

Bound for Blue Jays

Todd Stottlemyre, whose father started three games against the Cardinals’ Bob Gibson in the 1964 World Series, was drafted by St. Louis in 1985, but didn’t sign. He was chosen in a later draft by the Blue Jays and signed with them.

Stottlemyre debuted in the big leagues with the 1988 Blue Jays. He helped Toronto win consecutive World Series championships in 1992-93 and achieved double-digit win totals in four consecutive seasons (1990-93), but he had winning records in just two of seven years with the Blue Jays and overall was 69-70.

After the 1994 season, Stottlemyre became a free agent and signed with the Athletics, who had Tony La Russa as manager and Duncan as pitching coach. Stottlemyre posted a 14-7 record and 4.55 ERA for them. He struck out 205 in 209.2 innings. Among American League pitchers in 1995, only left-hander Randy Johnson of the Mariners struck out more batters.

Stottlemyre credited Duncan and La Russa with his development in Oakland. “I felt I took another step toward being able to pitch to my capability,” Stottlemyre said. “I felt I was more in control of myself throughout more ballgames … I’ve been able to get control of my curveball and changeup and off-speed pitches instead of just being a fastball, slideball pitcher.”

In an interview with Cardinals Magazine, Stottlemyre said, “Duncan has helped me to realize there’s more to pitching than rearing back and throwing the fastball as hard as you can. It’s been fun for me.”

Meet me in St. Louis

After the 1995 season, La Russa left the Athletics to become Cardinals manager and Duncan joined him as pitching coach. That’s when St. Louis became an attractive destination point for Stottlemyre.

“We feel his best years are ahead of him,” Duncan said. “Last year, he made tremendous progress as a pitcher. Consistency was the key with him.”

La Russa told Cardinals Magazine, “He’s a terrific competitor and that’s something you can never have enough of.”

The Athletics, looking to rebuild after finishing in last place in the American League West in 1995, were willing to trade Stottlemyre to restock their roster.

“He wanted to be elsewhere and it made sense for him to be elsewhere if we could get some value in return,” Athletics general manager Sandy Alderson told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Mike Jorgensen, Cardinals director of player development, said all three pitchers dealt to the Athletics were big-league prospects. “When you go shopping in the high-rent district, you know it’s going to be expensive,” Jorgensen said to the Post-Dispatch.

Consistent Cardinal

The trade benefitted the Cardinals more than it did the Athletics.

Stottlemyre was 14-11 with a 3.87 ERA in helping the 1996 Cardinals win the National League Central title. He led the 1996 Cardinals in strikeouts (194), complete games (five) and shutouts (two) and was second in wins.

Stottlemyre was 12-9 with a 3.88 ERA for the 1997 Cardinals and 9-9 with a 3.51 ERA for the 1998 Cardinals before he was traded with shortstop Royce Clayton to the Rangers for third baseman Fernando Tatis, pitcher Darren Oliver and outfielder Mark Little on July 31, 1998.

With St. Louis, Stottlemyre had three consecutive seasons with ERAs below 4.00 for the only time in his big-league career.

In his book, “Pride and Pinstripes,” Mel Stottlemyre said his son Todd took a while to realize his potential and believed it was because of the personal burden Todd carried after the death of his younger brother, Jason. Todd was the donor when Jason had a bone marrow transplant.

“After Jason died, it was almost like Todd wanted to lash out at the world, take out his anger on everybody else,” Mel Stottlemyre said. “He competed so hard that he was always at full throttle, and you can’t pitch that way all the time. He was fearless on the mound, which is important, but he was also pretty high-strung, always ready to fight, figuratively, if not literally.”

Of the four players traded by the Cardinals for Stottlemyre, only Witasick contributed much to the Athletics. In two stints with Oakland, Witasick was 5-5 with a 5.26 ERA. He pitched 12 years in the big leagues, appearing in the 2001 World Series with the Yankees and the 2002 World Series with the Giants.

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How Jim O’Toole performed escape act versus Cardinals

Posted in Games, Opponents, Pitchers on January 16, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Of the many duels the Reds’ Jim O’Toole had with the Cardinals, the most bizarre was his performance in the first game of a 1963 doubleheader. Even without his nemesis, Ken Boyer, in the lineup, O’Toole was pummeled by the Cardinals, but still won.

jim_otooleA left-hander, O’Toole posted double-digit wins for the Reds in five consecutive seasons (1960-64) and was an All-Star Game starter in 1963. In nine years with Cincinnati, O’Toole was 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA in 38 appearances against the Cardinals.

His best game versus St. Louis was on May 6, 1960, when he pitched a four-hitter in a 1-0 Reds triumph. Boxscore

His worst game against St. Louis was on June 7, 1962, when he was rocked for six runs and 10 hits in 4.1 innings in an 8-2 Cardinals victory. Boxscore

Perhaps the most memorable was the escape act he performed on May 5, 1963, at Cincinnati.

Grim work

Though he yielded 12 hits, walked two, had two batters reach base on errors and threw a wild pitch before he was lifted with two on and none out in the seventh, O’Toole got his major league-leading sixth win of the season in a 5-4 Reds victory.

The Cardinals had two runners thrown out at home, two runners caught attempting to steal second, grounded into a double play and stranded nine.

In addition, “several Redbird smashes were kept in the ballpark by a treacherous wind,” The Sporting News reported.

“There’ll be games like that all season because the league is so well balanced,” said Cardinals general manager Bing Devine.

The Reds never trailed. Or, as the Associated Press noted, “The Reds scored three runs in the opening inning and held on grimly.”

O’Toole did the bulk of that grim work.

Unconventional script

Among the twists and turns:

_ O’Toole retired the first four batters he faced.

_ In the second inning, with the Reds ahead, 3-1, the Cardinals had Leo Burke on second and Gene Oliver on first with one out. Julian Javier grounded to shortstop Leo Cardenas, who booted the ball. Javier reached first safely on the error. Burke rounded third and headed for home. Cardenas recovered in time and threw to catcher Johnny Edwards, who tagged out Burke.

_ With two outs in the fourth and the Reds ahead, 4-2, the Cardinals had Javier on third and Ray Sadecki on first. O’Toole uncorked a wild pitch, enabling Sadecki to reach second. Dick Groat singled, scoring Javier but left fielder Frank Robinson’s throw to Edwards nailed Sadecki at the plate for the third out.

_ In the seventh, Curt Flood doubled and Groat followed with a RBI-single, knocking O’Toole from the game and cutting the Reds’ lead to 5-4. Al Worthington relieved and yielded a single to Bill White, moving Groat to third. The rally unraveled when George Altman struck out, White was caught attempting to steal and Charlie James flied out. Boxscore

Perhaps the outcome would have been different if Boyer had played.

O’Toole tormentor

Two nights earlier, in the series opener, Boyer was injured when Edwards spiked him while sliding into third. Boyer needed 13 stiches to close two wounds. He wouldn’t return to the lineup until after the Cardinals left Cincinnati.

Boyer had the most career hits (36) against O’Toole of any batter. He hit .468 (36-for-77) with five doubles, four home runs, 10 walks and 22 RBI versus O’Toole. Boyer’s career on-base percentage against him was .529.

In O’Toole’s first three full seasons with the Reds, Boyer haunted him, hitting .636 (7-for-11) in 1959, .462 (6-for-13) in 1960 and .750 (6-for-8) in 1961, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

O’Toole was the starting pitcher in the 1963 All-Star Game at Cleveland when the National League started an all-Cardinals infield of White at first, Javier at second, Groat at shortstop and Boyer at third.

In the second inning of that game, the American League had Leon Wagner on second, Zolio Versalles on first, two outs and pitcher Ken McBride at the plate.

McBride hit a grounder to Boyer’s left. He dived for the ball, but it deflected off his glove and into left field for a RBI-single, tying the score. Boxscore

Previously: 1963 NL all-stars started all-Cardinals infield

Previously: Why John Tsitouris forever will be linked to Cardinals

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Jamie Moyer: Short stay with Cardinals in long career

Posted in Games, Pitchers on January 13, 2016| 2 Comments »

(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.

jamie_moyer3Who 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.

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