RetroSimba

How Mike Shannon put brakes on Cubs title hopes

August 17, 2016 by retrosimba

With the first grand slam of his major-league career, Mike Shannon slowed the Cubs’ momentum and helped the Cardinals split a four-game series at Wrigley Field.

mike_shannon5 On Aug. 15, 1968, Shannon hit a grand slam against reliever Bill Stoneman in the second inning, carrying the Cardinals to an 8-0 victory in the finale of the series and putting a dent in the Cubs’ pennant hopes. Boxscore

Second City showdown

The Cardinals, defending World Series champions, entered the series in first place, 14 games ahead of the second-place Cubs in the National League. After the Cubs won the first two, cutting the Cardinals’ lead to 12, fans in Chicago were fired up, sensing their club was poised to get back into the pennant race.

Cardinals ace Bob Gibson dampened those hopes in Game 3, pitching a complete game in a 3-1 victory.

That set up a scenario in which the Cubs needed to win Game 4 in order to gain any ground on the Cardinals.

Get up, baby

A crowd of 23,116 turned out for the Thursday afternoon series finale and the bleachers were packed with rowdies.

Gibson, in a playful mood, pinned a button with the words “We’re No. 1” to the bill of his cap and bantered with fans in the right-field bleachers before the game. “I led the boos for Roger Maris,” Gibson said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, referring to his outfield teammate.

In the first inning, the Cardinals scored four runs against starter Ken Holtzman and knocked him out of the game. Shannon contributed a RBI-single.

In the second, the Cardinals loaded the bases with two outs against former teammate Jack Lamabe. With Shannon up, Lamabe was replaced by Stoneman.

Shannon hit Stoneman’s second pitch into the left-field seats. The grand slam _ the only one of his Cardinals career _ was his 500th hit in the big leagues.

“In Wrigley Field, if you get the ball in the air, you have a heck of a chance,” Shannon said.

Last laugh

The Bleacher Bums took out their frustrations on Cardinals outfielders Lou Brock, Curt Flood and Ron Davis.

“They were hitting us with everything,” said Flood. “Ice cubes, burned-out flashbulbs, fruit, tennis balls, paper cups and old sandwiches.”

Said Davis: “If you turned around, then you’d really get it. That’s when they’d start throwing things at you.”

Plotting his revenge, Flood printed a banner that stated, “We’re still No. 1.”

In the bottom of the ninth, with the Cardinals ahead 8-0, Flood took the banner with him to his position in center and spread it on the outfield grass, with the words facing the bleachers.

Knowing what was to come, Brock stuffed his ears with cotton to block out the taunts.

Day shift

Shannon finished the game 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored. The performance gave him a .415 batting average (27-for-45) in day games that season.

“I just can see that ball better in the daytime,” Shannon told the Associated Press.

Nelson Briles pitched the shutout for the Cardinals. It was his fifth consecutive win and boosted his season record to 16-7.

The Cardinals went on to win the 1968 pennant, finishing nine games ahead of the Giants and 13 in front of the third-place Cubs.

Shannon finished his Cardinals career with 68 home runs. He had 16 against the Cubs, including 12 at Wrigley Field.

Previously: Mike Shannon ignited Cards with World Series blast

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The 1st showdown between Ichiro Suzuki, Albert Pujols

August 11, 2016 by retrosimba

(Updated May 5, 2018)

Two of the best hitters of their era, Ichiro Suzuki and Albert Pujols, were in their sophomore years in the big leagues when they played against one another for the first time in the regular season. Suzuki had the better overall series; Pujols produced the biggest hit.

albert_ichiro In June 2002, Suzuki went 6-for-12 in helping the Mariners win two of three games versus the Cardinals at Safeco Field in Seattle. Pujols was 2-for-11, but one of those hits was a grand slam that carried the Cardinals to their lone win in the interleague set.

Fourteen years later, in August 2016, Suzuki, playing for the Marlins, capped his U.S. big-league career by getting his 3,000th hit. On May 4, 2018, Pujols, playing for the Angels, got his 3,000th career hit.

Suzuki has a career .333 batting average (27-for-81) against the Cardinals.

Bat man

In 2001, Suzuki won the American League Rookie of the Year Award and Pujols won the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

They brought star power to the Cardinals-Mariners series the following season.

On June 10, 2002, Suzuki was 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBI in the Mariners’ 10-0 victory over the Cardinals. Suzuki singled off starter Bud Smith and had a double and triple against Luther Hackman. Boxscore

Before the game, reporter Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune visited Suzuki in the clubhouse while Suzuki examined new bats. “Each bat shipped to him from Japan comes shrink-wrapped (in cellophane) and once he unwraps a bat it’s kept in a specially-made case beside his locker,” wrote LaRue.

Mariners infielder Bret Boone called the case Suzuki’s humidifier.

Suzuki said, “No matter how well you take care of your bat, eventually moisture gets into the wood. Even clubhouse air-conditioning can effect the wood.”

Before placing a bat in the case, Suzuki tapped the barrel with his palm, then held it to his ear, listening for a tone, LaRue reported. Suzuki said, “High pitch, better wood. Low pitch, it probably gets used for batting practice.”

Pujols pop

In Game 2 of the series, on June 11, 2002, Suzuki had another strong game. He was 2-for-3 _ a double off starter Woody Williams and a single against Steve Kline _ with two walks and a stolen base, but it was Pujols who created the sweetest sound with his swing.

In the sixth inning, with the Mariners ahead 1-0, the Cardinals had runners on second and third with one out. Mariners manager Lou Piniella instructed starter James Baldwin to issue an intentional walk to J.D. Drew and face Pujols with the bases loaded.

“I’m trying to get out of the inning with a double play ball,” Piniella said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Said Pujols: “I was surprised.”

Pujols watched two curves sail out of the strike zone. Behind in the count 2-and-0, Baldwin threw a fastball. Pujols pounded it over the center-field fence for the second grand slam of his Cardinals career.

“That young guy has some real pop,” Piniella said to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Pujols added a single and finished 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored in a 7-4 Cardinals triumph. Boxscore

Part of 3,000

In the series finale, June 13, 2002, Suzuki doubled off starter Darryl Kile and finished 1-for-4 in a 5-0 Mariners victory. Pujols was 0-for-3. Boxscore

For the series:

Suzuki’s totals: 6-for-12, three doubles, two singles, one triple, two walks, three runs and two RBI.

Pujols’ totals: 2-for-11, one home run, one single, four RBI, two runs.

Here is how Suzuki fared in his subsequent season series versus the Cardinals:

_ 2004: 3-for-11.

_ 2010: 5-for-13.

_ 2014: 0-for-7.

_ 2015: 3-for-15.

_ 2016: 5-for-14.

_ 2017: 5-for-9.

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Stan Musial and his nearly flawless 3-game stretch

August 8, 2016 by retrosimba

(Updated July 30, 2024)

Facing three of the toughest starters in the National League, Stan Musial produced a spectacular hitting spree that propelled him to his second of seven batting titles.

stan_musial31 From Aug. 11-12, 1946, Musial had 12 hits in 14 at-bats over three games against the Reds and Cubs. The surge put him atop the National League batting leaders list, moving his average from .359 to .375. He went on to win the batting crown with a .365 average.

Musial achieved his nearly perfect stretch in games started by Johnny Vander Meer and Ewell Blackwell of the Reds and Claude Passeau of the Cubs. All three would earn multiple all-star berths and were respected as much for their competitiveness as for their skill.

Asked whether he tried to guess what pitch he would get, Musial told Roger Kahn of Sport magazine, “I don’t guess. I know. I can tell by the speed. Every pitcher has a set of speeds. The curve goes one speed and the slider goes at something else.

“If I concentrate, I can pick up the speed of the ball about the first 30 feet it travels. I know the pitcher and I know his speeds. When I concentrate, halfway in I know what the pitch is going to be (and) how the ball is going to move when it gets up to home plate.”

Hard thrower

On Aug. 11, 1946, a Sunday afternoon, the Cardinals played a doubleheader against the Reds before a crowd of 32,288 at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

The Reds started Vander Meer, a left-hander, in the opener. In his book, “Stan Musial: The Man’s Own Story,” Musial said of Vander Meer, “One of the toughest I ever hit against. An extremely hard thrower and wild. His ball moved up and in on a left-handed hitter. You didn’t know where the ball was going. I don’t think Vandy knew either.”

Musial drew a walk in the first inning, singled in the third, popped out to the catcher in the fourth and drilled a RBI-single in the sixth. After Vander Meer was lifted, Musial singled against Johnny Hetki in the seventh and tripled off former teammate Clyde Shoun in the ninth.

Musial’s line: 4-for-5 with a walk, three runs scored and one RBI in the Cardinals’ 15-4 victory. Boxscore

The Whip

In the second game, the Reds started Blackwell, a right-hander with a wicked sidearm delivery. “Blackie was one of the fastest and greatest pitchers I’ve seen.” said Musial. “He was big and gangly and because of his whip-like delivery you could hardly pick up the ball until it was in on you. He had natural stuff, including a terrific sinker.”

Musial had a double and a single in his two at-bats against Blackwell. Joe Beggs relieved and Musial reached him for a solo home run and a single. That gave Musial hits in seven consecutive at-bats over two games in the doubleheader.

In Musial’s fifth at-bat of Game 2, against Bob Malloy, he flied out to left.

Musial’s line: 4-for-5 with two runs scored and one RBI in a 7-3 Cardinals triumph. Boxscore

Suspicious sinker

The Cardinals boarded a train for Chicago and opened a series against the Cubs on Monday, Aug. 12, at Wrigley Field. The Cubs started Passeau, a right-hander. “His ball really went down,” Musial said. “I thought it was a spitter, just as others did, but Passeau, a mean competitor, always insisted it was a sinker. Wet or dry, it was a hell of a pitch.”

Musial singled against Passeau in the first inning. In the third, Passeau was lifted because of a back injury. Emil Kush relieved and Musial got three hits against him: a RBI-double in the third, a single in the fifth and a RBI-single in the seventh.

Musial’s line: 4-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in a 5-0 Cardinals victory. Boxscore

Musial achieved his third consecutive four-hit game.

His three-game totals: 12-for-14, eight singles, two doubles, one triple, one home run, one walk, six runs scored and four RBI.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch hailed Musial as “the National League’s closest approach to Ted Williams.”

A humble Musial told the Associated Press, “I guess it’s just a streak that comes along for everybody if they keep swinging.”

The next day, Aug. 13, Musial cooled off a bit. He was 1-for-4 against Johnny Schmitz, a Cubs left-hander.

Musial finished the 1946 season with a major league-leading 228 hits.

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How Mike Laga became a Cardinals legend

August 5, 2016 by retrosimba

Mike Laga, a premier power hitter in the minor leagues, produced a long ball that became part of Cardinals lore.

mike_laga On Aug. 10, 1986, the Cardinals traded catcher Mike Heath to the Tigers for pitcher Ken Hill and a player to be named. Three weeks later, on Sept. 2, the Tigers sent Laga, a first baseman, to the Cardinals, completing the trade.

Laga, 26, was chosen by the Tigers in the first round of the 1980 draft. A left-handed slugger, Laga three times hit 30 or more home runs in a season in the Tigers’ minor-league system, including 34 for Class AAA Evansville in 1982. However, in parts of five seasons (1982-86) with the Tigers, Laga hit just eight home runs.

The Cardinals, who won the National League pennant in 1985, were out of contention in September 1986. With first baseman Jack Clark injured, manager Whitey Herzog put Laga into the Cardinals’ lineup.

High riser

On Sept. 15, 1986, Laga was the first baseman when the Cardinals played the first-place Mets at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis. Laga hit a double off Ron Darling in the second inning.

In the third, Laga was batting against Darling for the second time when he swung at a pitch and lofted it high and foul on the first-base side. The ball carried about 150 feet into the air and landed outside the stadium.

Laga became the first player to hit a ball out of Busch Stadium since it opened in May 1966. Video

“A Cardinals official said that the distance of the stadium roof from the field was 130 feet and that the ball was found in a flower bed near the employees parking lot,” the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Fans gave Laga a standing ovation.

Said Laga: “It was pretty funny … I really didn’t think about it until the people got louder and louder. I said, ‘What the heck is going on here?’ I didn’t know it was the first one.”

After the ovation, Darling struck out Laga.

“Last year, the cheering was for a pennant winner,” wrote columnist Kevin Horrigan of the Post-Dispatch. “This year, it’s for foul balls. Lo, how the mighty have fallen.” Boxscore

Coleman challenged

Later, Herzog teasingly told Cardinals speedster Vince Coleman, “If you ever hit one out (of Busch Stadium), even behind home plate, fair or foul, I’ll buy you a Rolls-Royce.”

Teammate Ozzie Smith, overhearing Herzog’s challenge, told Coleman, “And I’ll pay for the chauffeur.”

Laga added, “If I hit it right and get it up in the air, I can hit it out of any ballpark.”

Laga hit three home runs for the Cardinals in 1986 and one each in 1987 and 1988. He spent most of the Cardinals’ 1987 championship season with Louisville, hitting .304 with 29 home runs and 91 RBI for the Class AAA club.

After the 1988 season, Laga was released by the Cardinals and was signed by the Giants. He hit three home runs in parts of two seasons with the Giants, giving him a total of 16 in the major leagues.

Previously: Why Cardinals pounced on offer for Joaquin Andujar

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How Steve Carlton got his first win for Cardinals

August 2, 2016 by retrosimba

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.

steve_carlton6 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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Why Cardinals debut was tough task for Mike Busby

July 30, 2016 by retrosimba

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.

mike_busby 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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