Retro Simba

As a rookie with the reigning National League champion Giants in 1963, Jim Ray Hart learned the hard way that facing the Cardinals could be a pain. On his first day playing in the majors, Hart suffered a fractured left collarbone when struck by a Bob Gibson pitch. A month later, when he returned to the lineup, Hart was hit in the head by a pitch from the Cardinals’ Curt … [Read more...] about Inside baseball: Jim Ray Hart got drilled by Cardinals

In 12 seasons in the majors, Sandy Koufax made just one Opening Day start for the Dodgers. It came 60 years ago, April 14, 1964, against the Cardinals. Koufax, 28, was considered to be at the top of his game then, coming off a dominant season. The left-hander won both the National League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young awards in 1963. He was 25-5 that season, including 4-0 … [Read more...] about Why start versus Cardinals was special for Sandy Koufax

In Montreal, where the predominant language is French, he’s “Un Dominicain Coriace.” In his homeland, where Spanish is spoken, it’s “Un Dominicano Duro.” Regardless of the locale, Joaquin Andjuar, the self-proclaimed “One Tough Dominican” pitcher, could back up his image with astonishing results. One such instance occurred 40 years ago, on April 27, 1984, for the Cardinals … [Read more...] about Ooh la la: Joaquin Andujar and a Canadian clout

In high school at suburban St. Louis and in college at the University of Missouri, Andy Russell helped make every football team he played for a winner and was at his best in the most important games. A hometown standout would seem a natural choice for the St. Louis Cardinals. Instead, Russell played his entire NFL career as an outside linebacker with the Pittsburgh … [Read more...] about Cardinals fumbled chance to land local lad Andy Russell

Picture this: You’re a rookie starting pitcher from a hamlet in Iowa, making your big-league debut on the road against the reigning World Series champions. The opposing starter is a future Hall of Famer who rarely has allowed a run during a winning streak on his way to a Cy Young Award. That’s the challenge Mets right-hander Jim McAndrew faced when he got the start in … [Read more...] about Cardinals gave Jim McAndrew big-league baptism by fire