RetroSimba

(Updated Dec. 1, 2023)

On Jan. 31, 1994, the Cardinals signed free agent Rick Sutcliffe to a minor-league contract and invited the right-hander to spring training with the hope he could earn a spot on their roster and in their starting rotation.

Sutcliffe won the 1979 National League Rookie of the Year Award with the Dodgers and the 1984 Cy Young Award with the Cubs but the Cardinals were getting a pitcher on the back side of his career.

Sutcliffe had injured a knee in 1993 and posted a 5.75 ERA in 29 appearances for the Orioles, but the Cardinals saw him as an inexpensive solution to replace starting pitcher Donovan Osborne, who was sidelined for the 1994 season after having shoulder surgery.

“I have no doubt I can still pitch,” Sutcliffe, 37, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Cardinals general manager Dal Maxvill said to the St. Louis newspaper, “The reports we have are his arm is in good shape and he was throwing the ball well at the end of the (1993) season. I know one thing: He’s won 26 games the last two seasons (16 in 1992 and 10 in 1993). We only have one guy on our staff (Bob Tewksbury) who has more.”

Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz called the signing of Sutcliffe “a good pickup” and added, “He’s a leader revered by young pitchers. If Sutcliffe can help settle down the young staff and win a few games, great.”

Sutcliffe called the Cardinals when he couldn’t reach a deal to stay with the Orioles, the Post-Dispatch reported.

According to the Baltimore Sun, “He entered January (1994) still thinking that he would return for one more season in Baltimore, but chose St. Louis after turning down an Orioles offer that he thought was made only out of a sense of obligation.”

Sutcliffe’s contract with the Cardinals called for him to be paid $250,000 if he made the team, and he could get another $250,000 in appearance incentives.

For the birds

Naturally, Sutcliffe’s first spring training start for the Cardinals came against the Orioles. He gave up three runs in the first inning, but none in the next two. “It took him a while to get comfortable with the idea of pitching against a team that he fully expected to play for this season,” the Baltimore Sun reported.

Sutcliffe told the Baltimore newspaper, “When you want to come inside (with a pitch), it’s tough to have your friends standing there.”

According to the Sun, Orioles manager Johnny Oates had “pushed hard” for the return of Sutcliffe. So had their shortstop, Cal Ripken. Before Sutcliffe signed with St. Louis, Ripken had told The Sporting News, “It is very important that Suttcliffe come back. He’s an experienced pitcher who matches up with some of the top pitchers in the league. He takes the pressure off the rest of the guys. He’s a great teacher and a great leader.”

Sutcliffe had helped with the development of the Orioles’ “young starting rotation and his leadership had contributed to the development of a winning attitude in the clubhouse,” the Sun reported.

At Cardinals spring training, Sutcliffe took on the role of mentor to pitchers such as Rheal Cormier, Tom Urbani and Allen Watson.

“Cormier keeps a thick notebook on his pitching appearances, with many of the entries influenced by Sutcliffe,” the Louisville Courier-Journal reported.

Watson told the Louisville newspaper, “Last year, I had nobody to talk to. After I met Rick in spring training, he gave me a lot of insight on how to go through the bad times.”

Sutcliffe’s work with the pitchers had the approval of Cardinals manager Joe Torre and pitching coach Joe Coleman.

“I had that role toward the end of my career _ an experienced player that other players could come to,” Torre said to the Post-Dispatch. “They feel funny about going to the manager all the time. It’s like going up to the teacher all the time, like you’re trying to kiss up.”

Coleman told the Courier-Journal, “We knew that Rick had this type of leadership.”

Ups and downs

Though he posted a 5.57 ERA in spring training games, the Cardinals opened the 1994 season with Sutcliffe on their roster.

Sutcliffe won his first start for them, beating the Dodgers at St. Louis. Boxscore

Following that, he got shelled at Atlanta. The Braves got back-to-back-to-back home runs from Ryan Klesko, Fred McGriff and David Justice in the first inning and won, 7-1. Boxscore

In 11 career appearances at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sutcliffe was 0-5 with a 6.70 ERA.

Soon after, Sutcliffe suffered a severe hamstring injury. After three starts during an injury rehabilitation assignment in the minors, he came back to the Cardinals in late May.

Sutcliffe had a couple of other terrible starts for them _ seven runs in two innings versus the Marlins on June 15 Boxscore and eight runs against the Rockies in 5.1 innings on July 17 Boxscore. He also produced quality wins, with 7.2 scoreless innings versus the Dodgers again on May 31 Boxscore and a stifling of the Cubs (one run in six innings) on June 26. Boxscore

Sutcliffe earned wins in three of his last four decisions.

His last appearance was a win against the Braves on July 22, 1994, but he left in the sixth inning after he threw a wild pitch and felt pain in his arm. Boxscore

An exam revealed he had a torn labrum as well as a major tear in his rotator cuff and problems with his biceps. In looking back at the last pitch he threw, Sutcliffe told the Post-Dispatch, “I guess I’m lucky my arm didn’t go with it. There wasn’t anything else holding it on.”

In 16 appearances (14 starts) during the strike-shortened 1994 season, Sutcliffe gave up 93 hits in 67.2 innings, posting a 6-4 record despite a 6.52 ERA. In his 14 starts, his ERA was 6.78. He walked more batters (32) than he struck out (26).

Sutcliffe’s problems were a reflection of a troubled pitching staff. The pitching standouts for the 1994 Cardinals were relievers Rob Murphy (3.79 ERA) and John Habyan (3.23). The primary starters were Bob Tewksbury (5.32 ERA), Vicente Palacios (4.44), Allen Watson (5.52), Sutcliffe (6.52), Omar Olivares (5.74) and Tom Urbani (5.15).

Overall, the 1994 Cardinals’ staff ERA was 5.15, tied with the Rockies for worst in the National League.

Granted free agency after the 1994 season, Sutcliffe attracted little interest and retired in April 1995. His career record in the majors is 171-139. He went into broadcasting. In March 2008, Sutcliffe was diagnosed with colon cancer. After receiving treatment, he resumed his broadcasting career.

Read Full Post »

In 1988, Bob Tewksbury was a soft-tossing pitcher with a history of elbow and shoulder ailments. When the Cardinals signed him to a minor-league contract as a free agent in December that year, they had no idea they were acquiring an ace.

After stints with the Yankees and Cubs, Tewksbury had arthroscopic surgery in July 1988 to repair damaged cartilage in his right shoulder. Still aching, Tewksbury, 28, said he had considered retiring from baseball that winter. His wife convinced him to continue playing.

His signing by the Cardinals received little mention outside of a line of agate type in the transactions listings. He was assigned to Class AAA Louisville and placed in the starting rotation.

Displaying sharp control and an array of breaking pitches, Tewksbury was 5-1 in his first 10 starts for Louisville. In May 1989, Ted Simmons, the Cardinals’ director of player development, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Tewksbury was the minor-league pitcher most ready to join the Cardinals.

Others in the Cardinals organization didn’t agree. Tewksbury remained at Louisville. By mid-August, he was 11-4 with a 2.47 ERA in 24 starts.

Low velocity

Surprised by the Cardinals’ lack of interest, Vahe Gregorian of the Post-Dispatch wrote, “Maybe it’s because his fastball would bounce off a thin plane of glass. Maybe it’s because no one is certain he’s recovered from having the goop scooped out of his right shoulder last year.”

Tewksbury’s fastball usually was recorded at no better than 85 mph.

“I don’t know if he can make some kind of difference here (in St. Louis),” Cardinals general manager Dal Maxvill said. “He’s performed decently down there, but I don’t know that he could come here and replace somebody in our rotation. He’s not a velocity guy, so it’s difficult to project what he’d do here.”

Said Tewksbury: “I’m the type of pitcher you have to see more than once to appreciate. I’m not going to impress you the first time you see me because I don’t throw hard. But I know how to pitch and now I just need to get over that hump.”

Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog never had seen Tewksbury pitch, but seemed unenthused when asked about Tewksbury in mid-August. “My people tell me he would have to be perfect to come up here,” Herzog said. “I don’t want to sound like I’m down on the guy, but no other teams have expressed an interest in him either. There’s just such a big difference between Triple A and the big leagues.”

Tewksbury finished the minor-league season at Louisville with a 13-5 record and 2.43 ERA in 28 starts. He was promoted to the Cardinals in September. Said Herzog: “I don’t know if Tewksbury can pitch up here … but we ought to take a look.”

Take that, Whitey

On Sept. 5, 1989, Tewksbury made his Cardinals debut, pitching an inning of scoreless relief against the Expos at St. Louis. “He was exactly what we’d heard about him,” Herzog said. “He throws a lot of breaking balls.” Boxscore

After two more relief appearances, Tewksbury was given a start against the Pirates in a game that had been rescheduled because of a rainout. “I don’t really expect too much out of him,” Herzog said.

Undeterred, Tewksbury limited the Pirates to a run in 4.2 innings before he was lifted with the score tied at 1-1. The Pirates won, 4-3, but Tewksbury impressed.

“Tewksbury did his job,” Herzog said.

Said Tewksbury: ” I was satisfied. I wanted to keep us in the game and I did that.” Boxscore

Five days later, Tewksbury pitched a four-hit shutout, earning his first Cardinals win, in a 5-0 St. Louis victory over the Expos at Montreal. Tewksbury also produced his first big-league hit and RBI with a sixth-inning single off Andy McGaffigan that scored Todd Zeile from third.

“Tewksbury befuddled the Expos with a variety of off-speed pitches,” reported the Post-Dispatch.

Said Herzog: “He did a hell of a job tonight. He got his breaking ball over all the time. He throws a curve and a slider and not too many guys do that.” Boxscore

In seven games for the 1989 Cardinals, Tewksbury was 1-0 with a 3.30 ERA.

Less than a year after contemplating retirement, Tewksbury had established he was a big-league talent. “The one thing that’s gotten me this far is perseverance,” he said.

Tewksbury posted double-digit wins in each of the next five seasons for St. Louis. He was named an all-star in 1992 and led the National League in winning percentage that season at .762 with a 16-5 record.

In the six seasons he pitched for the Cardinals (1989-94), Tewksbury was 67-46 with a 3.48 ERA in 154 games.

“Tewksbury doesn’t have the greatest fastball in the world, but he knows how to use it,” catcher Tom Pagnozzi told Cardinals Yearbook in 1993. “He just jams a lot of guys when he’s throwing 83 mph to 86 mph. It looks faster because nobody gets a good swing at it.”

Read Full Post »

In 2011, Fernando Salas was the coolest and calmest Cardinal amid the chaos of a bullpen collapse.

Without the poise Salas displayed in effectively filling the closer role for most of the 2011 season, the Cardinals never would have been in position to make their late-season run for the wild-card playoff berth that put them on the path to a World Series championship.

When the Cardinals traded third baseman David Freese and Salas to the Angels for center fielder Peter Bourjos and outfield prospect Randal Grichuk on Nov. 22, 2013, Freese, hitting hero of the 2011 World Series, deservedly received countless fond farewells.

Salas virtually was ignored.

Often overlooked is that Salas was “the stabilizing force” in the Cardinals’ 2011 season, according to teammate Lance Berkman.

S.O.S. for Salas

Sid Monge, a former big-league reliever who became a pitching coach in the Cardinals’ minor-league system, had seen Salas pitch in the Mexican League and recommended St. Louis sign him in 2007.

After making his big-league debut with St. Louis in 2010, Salas gave up just one run during the Cardinals’ entire spring training camp in 2011, but failed to make the Opening Day roster. He reported to Memphis and earned two saves in three scoreless relief appearances for the Class AAA club.

Meanwhile, Ryan Franklin, the Cardinals’ veteran closer, was blowing leads at an alarming rate. Desperate, the Cardinals turned to Mitchell Boggs and then Eduardo Sanchez as the closer and called up Salas to bolster the bullpen.

When neither Boggs nor Sanchez could hold down the job, the Cardinals tried Salas.

Unflappable, the spring training reject blossomed as the closer, earning 16 saves in his first 18 chances.

Berkman, the Cardinals’ veteran right fielder, told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Salas is “the single stabilizing force on this team.”

“He’s stepped up and been a consistent performer in the back of the bullpen,” Berkman said. “… Consequently, everybody else has settled into a good role. Now we have a pretty solid group. But the key is him.”

Wrote Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch: “Salas has become an unexpected answer to a ninth-inning riddle that once jeopardized an entire season.”

Mixing a changeup with his fastball, Salas, who turned 26 on May 30, 2011, was 3-0 with 11 saves and a 1.88 ERA on June 7 that season.

Strong, silent type

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told the Post-Dispatch that Salas had “a good coolness to him.”

“He’s got great guts,” La Russa said.

Added pitching coach Dave Duncan: “He hasn’t been in any situation yet where it’s like he’s emotionally affected by it.”

Said general manager John Mozeliak: “The one thing about him is that he’s always remained calm and cool. That quality serves him well.”

Salas’ skills were best illustrated in a May 19, 2011, game against the Astros. Brought in to protect a two-run lead, Salas faced former Cardinals prospect Brett Wallace with one on and one out in the ninth.

After throwing three consecutive pitches outside the strike zone, Salas was in danger of walking Wallace and putting the tying run on base. He got Wallace to foul off three pitches and then struck him out swinging on an off-speed offering. The Cardinals won, 4-2. Boxscore

“My favorite pitch of the whole game was that 3-and-2 off-speed pitch,” La Russa said to the Post-Dispatch. “… It’s one of those that if you miss a little bit all kinds of bad things can happen. One of the things Fernando can do is control his off-speed stuff.”

Said Mozeliak: “Over the last three years, his ability to pitch has evolved. He has shown the ability to get big outs. It’s not something you can trace on a radar gun. It’s a credit to him.”

Using teammate and fellow Mexican Jaime Garcia as an interpreter, Salas said simply, “I feel really good. I’m basically down for whatever they want me to do.”

The Cardinals utilized Salas as the closer until power pitcher Jason Motte took over the role in the last month. Still, Salas helped down the stretch, posting a 2.19 ERA with one save in 12 September appearances.

Salas finished the 2011 season with 24 saves and a 2.28 ERA in 68 games. He struck out 75 batters in 75 innings and yielded only 50 hits.

Right-handed batters hit .164 (25-for-152) against Salas in 2011. With runners in scoring position, all batters hit .203 (13-for-64) off him.

Though he couldn’t repeat that success _ he was 1-4 with a 4.30 ERA in 2012 and 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 2013, with no saves in either season _  Salas’ rescue of the Cardinals in 2011 should be better appreciated.

Previously: Roger Craig, Ron Taylor: great relief for Cardinals

Read Full Post »