RetroSimba

Why Cardinals traded Tommy Herr to Twins in 1988

April 19, 2013 by retrosimba

(Updated June 11, 2024)

Desperate for a power-hitting right fielder and feeling the sting of the defection of free-agent Jack Clark, the Cardinals stunned nearly everyone when they traded second baseman Tommy Herr, a stalwart of their three pennant-winning teams of the 1980s, to the defending World Series champion Twins in 1988.

As he departed, Herr said he hoped to return to the Cardinals as their manager.

When he arrived in Minnesota, Herr told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, “I tried to take the trade like a man, but when the plane left St. Louis I cried like a baby for a half hour.”

Surprise move

On April 22, 1988, Herr was dealt to Minnesota for outfielder Tom Brunansky. The trade was announced after the Mets beat St. Louis, 4-0, dropping the Cardinals’ record to 4-11.

Joe Durso of the New York Times wrote, “It stunned Herr and his teammates as they came into the locker room. Herr was asked to step into manager Whitey Herzog’s office, where he received the news from Herzog and Dal Maxvill, the Cardinals’ general manager.”

Said Herr: “Sure, I’m shocked. I’ve loved my years as a Cardinal and it’s hard to say goodbye.”

Acknowledging it was difficult to inform Herr of the trade, Herzog told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Tommy always knew he was my type of player from day one. It was tough.”

Herr played 10 seasons (1979-88) with the Cardinals, batting .274 with 1,021 hits in 1,029 games. He was the starting second baseman on the pennant-winning clubs of 1982, 1985 and 1987. He was an all-star in 1985 when he placed third in the National League in both RBI (110) and doubles (38). Herr ranked among the top three second basemen in the league in fielding percentage six times.

“It’s not an easy thing trading a great ballplayer and a fine gentleman,” Maxvill said to the Associated Press.

Mets third baseman Howard Johnson told the Post-Dispatch, “I think the Cardinals have dealt themselves a blow. A guy like Tommy Herr is a pretty valuable part of your ballclub.”

Three factors prompted the trade:

Factor No. 1

The Cardinals’ top run producer, Clark, signed with the Yankees after the 1987 season. Jim Lindeman, the 1988 Opening Day right fielder, was headed to the disabled list because of back spasms. The Cardinals were averaging 2.8 runs per game. Brunansky, who hit 20 or more home runs in six consecutive seasons (1982-87) for the Twins, provided a much-needed power source.

“The deciding factor was our (poor) run production,” Maxvill said to the Associated Press. “Brunansky can help.”

Cardinals pitcher John Tudor told the Post-Dispatch, “It was kind of pleasant to see that they’re trading to win instead of sitting on their attendance.”

Factor No. 2

The Cardinals feared Herr would depart for free agency. Herr was in the final season of a four-year contract. After losing reliever Bruce Sutter and Clark to free agency, the Cardinals were determined to get value in return for Herr before he could depart.

Herzog told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, “We just can’t keep losing players like that. It was something we felt had to be done right now.”

“I could see the writing on the wall,” Herr said to the Post-Dispatch, “but I didn’t think it would happen this soon.”

Said Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez, who played with Herr on the 1982 World Series champion Cardinals: “If they had Clark, Tommy Herr’s on the team.”

Herzog told the Post-Dispatch, “If they’d tell me they were going to re-sign him, then who knows what we’d do?”

Regarding whether the Cardinals ever did have interest in re-signing him before he became eligible for free agency, Herr said, “I knew I’d find out sooner or later what the thinking was here. It was sooner rather than later.”

Factor No. 3

The Cardinals had a replacement for Herr. Luis Alicea, a first-round selection of the Cardinals in the 1986 draft, was promoted from Class AAA Louisville to replace Herr at second base.

“We think we have a fine young man who is ready to be an everyday player here in Alicea,” Maxvill said to United Press International.

Timely chat

Twins general manager Andy MacPhail told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune he made a social phone call to Maxvill on April 21. “At the time, I didn’t think there was any chance of a trade,” MacPhail said.

As the conversation evolved, MacPhail mentioned the Twins needed a left-handed batter for the top of their order.

“He made it clear he couldn’t trade Willie McGee or Vince Coleman,” MacPhail said.

Herr, a switch-hitter, fit the need.

MacPhail said Maxvill asked about third baseman Gary Gaetti and outfielder Kirby Puckett.

“I told him I wouldn’t trade Gaetti and that my house would be burned to the ground if I traded Puckett,” MacPhail said.

Familiar foe

The Twins had defeated the Cardinals in a seven-game World Series in October 1987. Six months later, they were swapping position starters.

“I will miss Tom Brunansky,” Gaetti said. “It’s like a cold shower and a slap in the face at the same time.”

Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist Sid Hartman reported, “Twins officials maintain Brunansky’s speed is down from last year, that he hasn’t covered the ground in right field as well and that his arm is not as strong.”

Herzog told the Post-Dispatch, “To tell you the truth, the only time I’ve ever seen Brunansky play in person was in the World Series, but over the last 10 years he’s always had pretty good bat potential and he’s had good power statistics. He’s always been a good outfielder with a good throwing arm.”

Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist Dan Barreiro wrote, “Brunansky had his limitations, we all know how streaky he could be, but he still was a hitter with power numbers.”

For Brunansky, the trade was the chance for a new adventure. “It’s going to be exciting,” he said.

For Herr, the trade took him away from his professional roots and a place he had hoped to grow his career. “I’m proud of the accomplishments I’ve had here,” Herr said before leaving. “I wanted to play my whole career here. That dream has gone. It’s been a good time. Maybe I’ll be back and manage this ballclub.”

Years later, when asked about Herzog, Herr told Cardinals Magazine, “Whitey had a profound effect on me. He was the guy who gave me my shot as a regular … The confidence he showed in me really put me over the top.”

Posted in Executives, Hitters, Trades, Uncategorized | 14 Comments »

Grady Hatton was part of Cardinals’ leadership club

April 17, 2013 by retrosimba

With a 76-78 record and fourth-place finish in the National League, the 1956 Cardinals lacked enough playing talent, but they did have a high level of leadership skill.

Nine players on the 1956 Cardinals became major-league managers. The nine, in alphabetical order: Ken Boyer, Alvin Dark, Joe Frazier, Alex Grammas, Grady Hatton, Solly Hemus, Whitey Lockman, Red Schoendienst and Bill Virdon.

Hatton played 12 years (1946-56 and 1960) in the big leagues as an infielder for the Reds, White Sox, Red Sox, Cardinals, Orioles and Cubs. He had 1,068 hits and a .254 batting average.

As manager of the Astros from 1966-68, Hatton helped develop second baseman Joe Morgan, outfielders Rusty Staub and Jim Wynn and pitchers Larry Dierker and Don Wilson.

Hatton’s stint with the Cardinals was brief. His contract was sold by the Red Sox to the Cardinals on May 11, 1956. Three months later, the Cardinals sent him to the Orioles in a waiver transaction.

A left-handed batter, Hatton appeared in 44 games, mostly as a pinch-hitter and second baseman, and hit .247 for the 1956 Cardinals.

Hatton was acquired by general manager Frank Lane as part of a roster overhaul. Within a one-week stretch in May 1956, Lane acquired Hatton and two other infielders _ Bobby Morgan from the Phillies and Chuck Harmon from the Reds _ to bolster the bench.

“You can see what I was trying to do,” Lane said to The Sporting News. “I wanted to give the Cardinals a tough core; men who’ve been around and who play anywhere, any thing. It wasn’t guesswork. It was me, the coaches and the manager (Fred Hutchinson) pooling ideas, hoping to come up with a club that can go all the way.”

The 1956 Cardinals opened the season with a middle infield of Alex Grammas at shortstop and Red Schoendienst at second base, but after three games rookie Don Blasingame replaced Grammas.

Blasingame was better at second base than he was at shortstop, so in June 1956 the Cardinals swapped Schoendienst to the Giants for Dark, who became the shortstop, with Blasingame replacing Schoendienst at second.

Hatton, expected to back up Blasingame, batted .118 with runners in scoring position and .214 as a pinch-hitter.

On July 31, 1956, the Cardinals claimed Rocky Nelson, a left-handed batter, on waivers from the Dodgers. The next day, Hatton’s contract was sold to the Orioles. The Sporting News reported, “Hatton had not been delivering as the club’s left-handed batting specialist.”

Two years later, Hatton began his career as a manager, starting in the Orioles’ system before moving into minor-league jobs with the Cubs and Astros. In 1965, Hatton managed the Astros’ Class AAA Oklahoma City club to a 91-54 record, mentoring prospects such as catcher Jerry Grote, shortstop Sonny Jackson and future Cardinals pitchers Joe Hoerner, Chuck Taylor and Chris Zachary.

Hatton became manager of the Astros in 1966, replacing Lum Harris. Under Hatton, the Astros were 72-90 in 1966 and 69-93 in 1967. After winning five of their first six in 1968, the Astros faltered. From June 1 through June 17, they lost 14 of 16, including a four-game sweep by the Cardinals. Hatton was fired and replaced by Harry Walker, the former Cardinals player and manager.

“The problem is hitting,” Hatton said to The Sporting News. “We have not hit since the day we left spring training.”

Posted in Hitters, Managers | Leave a Comment »

Tino Martinez, Mike Matheny: Cardinals’ Easter brawlers

April 15, 2013 by retrosimba

Cardinals players Tino Martinez and Mike Matheny were involved in an Easter Sunday brawl on April 20, 2003, at Busch Stadium. Martinez and Diamondbacks pitcher Miguel Batista sparked the fight.

Bruised egos were the only serious damage either team experienced in the Holy Day melee.

Leading off the bottom of the fifth inning, Martinez was struck on the shoulder by a Batista pitch. It was the fourth time Martinez had been hit by a pitch in the young season.

Wrote Dan O’Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Martinez glared at Batista as he haltingly made his way toward first base. Instead of resuming his place on the mound, Batista stared back at Martinez, watching him all the way to the bag. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa then came out to first base to check on Martinez, and he exchanged stares and unpleasantries with Batista.”

The next batter, J.D. Drew, grounded to second baseman Junior Spivey, who tossed to shortstop Tony Womack, forcing Martinez at second base.

As Martinez headed toward the dugout, he and Batista exchanged looks, then Martinez charged the mound, the Associated Press reported. Martinez threw a punch; Batista fired the ball at him. Both missed.

Players from both sides poured onto the field and a brawl ensued. Wrote O’Neill, “One of the first Cardinals to join the fray was Matheny, who got in a few licks before he and Martinez were pulled down into the pile. Batista continued to throw punches as umpire Ed Montague and Arizona manager Bob Brenly backed him into left field. Martinez and Batista were ejected.”

Regarding Batista, Cardinals pitcher Brett Tomko said, “What makes it worse is he threw the ball at him. That’s just bush. You don’t do that stuff. I understand the guy is coming at you, but there are more things involved in a brawl. You don’t want to seriously injure somebody chucking a ball five feet away from him.”

Said La Russa: “The only thing I’m going to say is when you drill somebody and you stare at him like he stared, that is so unprofessional and so intentional-looking. I mean, he just stared at him like, ‘Hey, I meant to do it’ the whole time.

“Then he runs. That’s ridiculous. I don’t know what history is there, but that’s the kind of stuff that hitters take offense to when they take a plunking. That was brutal.”

The Diamondbacks accused La Russa of inflaming the situation by glaring at Batista. “Definitely,” said catcher Chad Moeller. “There’s no question about that.”

Said Diamondbacks outfielder Luis Gonzalez: “When that first situation happened, he (La Russa) goes up the line and he’s yelling at our pitcher. He’s trying to rattle our guys. That’s how he does it and that’s how he gets his team fired up.”

Brenly said, “I really don’t know what Batista is supposed to do to protect himself against a 240-pound charging bull who is supposed to leave the field immediately after he’s retired (on the forceout).”

Tempers flared again in the ninth. With two outs, reliever Jeff Fassero plunked Gonzalez with a pitch. Fassero and La Russa were ejected.

“That’s old baseball,” Fassero said. “I play old baseball … I still believe in the old ways, settling scores for teams and stuff like that, protect your guys.”

In the bottom half of the inning, with the Diamondbacks ahead, 1-0, Edgar Renteria led off with a double and Jim Edmonds walked against closer Matt Mantei. After Scott Rolen and Miguel Cairo struck out, Drew was hit by a pitch, loading the bases and bringing Matheny to the plate.

Throwing heat, Mantei struck out Matheny, ending the game. Mantei’s final pitch reached 100 mph. Boxscore

Summing up the day, Arizona first baseman Mark Grace said, “It was one of those situations where boys will be boys … Guys get hit, guys get (mad), guys fight.”

Eight years later, Batista pitched for the Cardinals and La Russa.

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Why Cardinals dealt ace Dizzy Dean to Cubs

April 12, 2013 by retrosimba

(Updated April 16, 2020)

Dizzy Dean was a weakened pitcher who was feuding with his manager, but when the Cardinals traded him to the Cubs on the eve of a season opener it was a surprise to nearly everyone.

On April 16, 1938, Dean was dealt to the Cubs for $185,000 and three players, pitchers Curt Davis and Clyde Shoun and outfielder Tuck Stainback.

“The deal hit like a lightning bolt from the blue, for there had not been even the slightest indication the famous and eccentric pitcher had been on the block,” the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported.

Dean, 28, had a 134-75 record in seven Cardinals seasons, including 30-7 in 1934 when he carried them to a World Series title. Dean won twice in the 1934 World Series against the Tigers, including a six-hit shutout in the decisive Game 7.

Reasons to deal

From 1935-37, the Cardinals finished second, second and fourth. When the Cubs approached Cardinals owner Sam Breadon and executive Branch Rickey about a deal for Dean during spring training in 1938, there was interest because:

_ Damaged arm. During the 1937 All-Star Game, a ball hit by Earl Averill of the Indians struck Dean on the left foot and broke his toe. Dean pitched again too soon after the injury. Compensating for the damaged toe, he altered his pitching motion and weakened his right arm, essentially losing his devastating fastball.

In the book “Ol’ Diz: A biography of Dizzy Dean,” author Vince Staten wrote, “Rickey was convinced Diz’s career was over and he was upfront with the Cubs about Diz … The Cubs knew they were getting damaged goods.”

When informed of the trade, Giants manager Bill Terry told the Chicago Tribune, “I do not believe Branch Rickey would get rid of the pitcher Dean was two years ago. If he were still a man who could win 20 to 30 games, I think he would have stayed with the Cardinals. Rickey must know he is through as a great pitcher and has got what he can for him.”

_ Feuds with Frisch. Dean and Cardinals manager Frankie Frisch feuded often. After they had a couple of run-ins during spring training in 1938, the Cardinals decided to act.

“The pitcher and his manager … were embroiled in more than the usual amount of bickering during the training season, with the result that the Cardinals believed that Dizzy’s value to them was dubious, at best,” International News Service reported. “The situation finally reached a point where either Dean or Frisch had to go.”

Wrote The Sporting News: “Renewed trouble with manager Frankie Frisch … finally moved Sam Breadon and Branch Rickey to sell their star of stars.”

On the day of the trade, the Associated Press reported Dean saying to Frisch, “Frankie, I want you to know I’ve enjoyed playing for you.”

Replied Frisch, “Diz, I’m sorry to see you go.”

A Cardinals player, witnessing the exchange, said loud enough for others to hear, “Bunk.”

_ Bigger than team. Rickey and Breadon decided Dean was taking too much credit for team successes and focusing too much attention on self.

“Even when he’s good, one pitcher doesn’t make a club,” Rickey said.

Said Breadon: “I think the team will be a 23-player club now and not a Dizzy Dean club.”

Cubs come calling

When the Cubs first approached the Cardinals about Dean, they offered two players and $150,000, The Sporting News reported. The Cardinals countered with a demand of two players and $200,000. A compromise was reached when the Cubs added Stainback to the deal, giving the Cardinals three players, plus $185,000.

The deal was completed in a phone call between Rickey and Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley while the Cardinals were defeating the Browns, 10-7, in an exhibition game at St. Louis on April 16. The trade was announced immediately after the game, stunning Cardinals players.

“There goes our pennant and World Series money,” Pepper Martin said.

Said fellow outfielder Terry Moore: “Yeah, we’d have been a cinch with Diz.”

Dean told his teammates, “I hate to leave you guys, but I bet that fellow Wrigley will give me more money than I was getting here.”

Replied Martin: “Yeah, maybe Wrigley will buy you a yacht, too, so you can float around on Lake Michigan.”

Informed the Cardinals got a lot of money from the Cubs in the deal, Martin told the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, “You can’t play cash on the baseball field.”

Cubs manager Charlie Grimm told the Chicago Tribune the trade was “a dandy” and said, “We now have a stop pitcher and that’s something we lacked.”

Dean told the Associated Press, “The deal came as a surprise and I haven’t quite got over it yet, but I’m tickled to be playing under Grimm.”

Money ball

In his book, Staten wrote, “The trade would help both clubs in other ways. The $185,000 covered the Cards’ entire season payroll. And Diz helped the Cubs fill the seats at Wrigley Field.”

Also, Rickey had a personal incentive to trade top players for cash because his contract called for him to get a percentage of the sale as remuneration in addition to his salary.

According to the St. Louis Star-Times and St. Louis Globe-Democrat, Rickey tried to acquire fireball pitcher Van Lingle Mungo from the Dodgers after dealing Dean, but it didn’t work out. Rickey also contacted the Phillies about pitchers Claude Passeau and Bucky Walters, but came up empty there, too, the Star-Times reported.

Though sidelined for most of May, June and July, Dean was effective when he pitched in 1938. He was 7-1 with a 1.81 ERA in 13 games for the 1938 Cubs, who won the National League pennant.

The Cardinals stumbled to a sixth-place finish and Frisch was fired in September before the season ended.

Dean, however, never regained the form that made him a sensation with St. Louis. He was 9-7 over the next three seasons with Chicago.

Posted in Opponents, Pitchers, Trades | 1 Comment »

Mark McGwire had hot start to 1998 Cardinals season

April 10, 2013 by retrosimba

From the very first game, Mark McGwire signaled that 1998 would be a special season for him.

McGwire hit home runs in each of the Cardinals’ first four games of 1998, joining Willie Mays of the 1971 Giants as the only major-league players to begin a season in that manner. Since then, two others have done it: Nelson Cruz of the 2011 Rangers and Chris Davis of the 2013 Orioles, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The season-opening streak sparked McGwire to a record 70 home runs that year. Though tainted by subsequent revelations that McGwire used performance-enhancing drugs, the slugging feats remain official in the big-league record books.

McGwire’s home runs in the first four games of 1998 accounted for 12 RBI and lifted the Cardinals to three victories. Here is how it happened:

_ Cardinals 6, Dodgers 0, March 31, 1998, at St. Louis: Playing a regular-season game in March for the first time, the Cardinals’ opener was scoreless in the fifth inning when McGwire launched a grand slam off a floating change-up from Dodgers starter Ramon Martinez. Boxscore

The high drive carried 364 feet into the left-center stands at Busch Stadium II.

“You’re not going to see too many people hit a ball that high and have it leave the ballpark,” Dodgers left fielder Todd Hollandsworth said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Said McGwire to writer Rick Hummel: “It sort of surprised me the way it carried. I knew I hit it high enough. It was just a matter of far enough.

“I was juiced up. I don’t know my own strength. I hope I don’t hurt anybody.”

Speculation already was rampant that McGwire might challenge the single-season homer record of 61 by the Yankees’ Roger Maris. Under a headline of “McGwire’s Slam Drives Cards _ Countdown to 61 Begins,” Mike Eisenbath of the Post-Dispatch wrote in the lead paragraph of his game story, “Mark McGwire took what might be a first step toward immortality.”

_ Cardinals 8, Dodgers 5, April 2, 1998, at St. Louis: With two out in the 12th, McGwire hit a three-run walkoff home run off a curve from rookie reliever Frank Lankford. Boxscore

“You know anything is possible with him _ is that amazing?” said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.

_ Padres 13, Cardinals 5, April 3, 1998, at St. Louis: McGwire’s two-run homer off Padres starter Mark Langston in the fifth was the highlight for St. Louis. Boxscore

_ Cardinals 8, Padres 6, April 4, 1998, at St. Louis: With the Cardinals clinging to a 3-2 lead in the sixth, McGwire provided a cushion with a three-run homer off reliever Don Wengert.

Counting the home runs he hit for St. Louis in the last two games of 1997, McGwire extended his long ball streak to six consecutive games over two seasons. Boxscore

“It’s unbelievable,” said Cardinals catcher Tom Lampkin. “(McGwire) has a chance to hit the ball out of the ballpark every time he walks up to the plate.”

McGwire’s streak ended on April 5, 1998, when he was limited to a single and a walk in five plate appearances against Padres starter Kevin Brown and reliever Trevor Hoffman. Boxscore

The Cardinals blew a 7-3 ninth-inning lead in that game and lost, 8-7. Wrote columnist Bernie Miklasz: “We have finally discovered Mark McGwire’s weakness: he can’t pitch.”

Previously: Willie McCovey and his legendary St. Louis home run

Posted in Games, Hitters, Opponents, Records | 1 Comment »

The amazing start to the 1963 Cardinals season

April 8, 2013 by retrosimba

(Updated April 7, 2016)

In 1963, Cardinals starters opened the season by pitching shutouts in the team’s first three games.

The 1963 Cardinals and 2016 Dodgers are the only major-league teams to start a season with three consecutive shutouts, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The Cardinals opened with wins of 7-0 and 4-0 over the Mets and 7-0 against the Phillies. Surprisingly, Bob Gibson didn’t pitch any of those games.

The Cardinals’ consecutive trio of shutouts were pitched by Ernie Broglio, Ray Washburn and Curt Simmons. Gibson, the Cardinals’ ace, had fractured his ankle in September 1962 and was being given extra time by manager Johnny Keane before making his first 1963 start. (Gibson’s 1963 debut came in the Cardinals’ sixth game.)

In previewing the 1963 season, The Sporting News had predicted success for the Cardinals’ rotation:

Keane does seem to have a fine front line of pitchers. (Ernie) Broglio, Bob Gibson and Ray Washburn are good enough to be named now among the National League hurlers likely to win 20 games in 1963. All have pitched brilliantly in exhibition games. Broglio is throwing with the smoothness that marked his work in 1960 and Gibson has given no indication that the fractured ankle will bother him at all. Washburn profited greatly by his two months in the winter instructional league.

Here’s how the 1963 Cardinals opened their season:

_ Cardinals 7, Mets 0, April 9, 1963, at New York: Broglio limited the Mets to two hits, both by second baseman and leadoff batter Larry Burright. Broglio retired 20 in a row from the second inning to the ninth. He walked two and struck out eight.

Burright led off the first with a single and Broglio held the Mets hitless until Burright led off the ninth with a double.

Broglio preserved the shutout by striking out catcher Choo Choo Coleman and retiring outfielders Ed Kranepool and Duke Snider on groundouts after Burright’s double. Boxscore

“We had trouble hitting, which is going to be a big problem all year,” Mets manager Casey Stengel said to the Associated Press after the game.

_ Cardinals 4, Mets 0, April 10, 1963, at New York: Washburn held the Mets to four singles (two by Kranepool and one each by Coleman and first baseman Tim Harkness) and retired 17 in a row from the second inning to the eighth. He walked one and struck out five. Boxscore

Wrote The Sporting News: Washburn’s route-going performance was especially eye-popping because he went all the way in only two of his 25 starts in his rookie campaign a year ago.

“I had good stuff and kept it all the way,” Washburn said. “I made some real good pitches on (slugger) Frank Thomas. He used to bother me quite a bit.”

Cardinals catcher Gene Oliver said Washburn’s successful outing was “mostly a matter of confidence and experience, knowing that he can throw any kind of pitch in a given situation instead of coming in with a fastball or slider most of the time.”

_ Cardinals 7, Phillies 0, April 13, 1963, at St. Louis: After a two-day break, the Cardinals won their home debut. Simmons pitched a five-hitter, walked two and struck out four. No Phillies baserunner reached third base. Boxscore

It was Simmons’ 10th win in 11 decisions against the Phillies since he signed with the Cardinals after his release by Philadelphia in May 1960.

Simmons set the tone in the first inning when Don Hoak, the Phillies’ third baseman and No. 2 batter, dropped to the ground to avoid being struck by a high and tight pitch. Hoak subsequently struck out.

“He (Simmons) has been doing that to me for years and I’ve taken all I’m going to,” Hoak said to The Sporting News. “The next time, I’m going after him.”

Unfazed, Simmons responded, “He’s not a good enough hitter to bother throwing at.”

Previously: Kyle Lohse effort is similar to Ernie Broglio classic in 1963

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