Retro Simba

Brett Tomko was a sketch artist who made his living trying to paint corners as a pitcher. Twenty years ago, on Dec. 15, 2002, the Cardinals acquired Tomko from the Padres for reliever Luther Hackman and a player to be named (minor-league pitcher Mike Wodnicki). A right-hander, Tomko was a durable, but hittable, member of the Cardinals’ starting rotation in 2003, … [Read more...] about Cardinals hoped Brett Tomko would work his artistry

Toward the end of his Hall of Fame career, Fred McGriff gave the Cardinals something to remember him by. A left-handed power hitter, McGriff slugged 22 regular-season home runs against the Cardinals and two more in the playoffs. The very last two came on June 21, 2002, in a Cardinals-Cubs classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Friday afternoon game matched … [Read more...] about Power play: Fred McGriff vs. Woody Williams

Gaylord Perry had a career record of 14-14 versus the Cardinals, but there was nothing mundane about the night-and-day seasons he experienced against them in consecutive years during the 1960s. In four starts against the Cardinals in 1966, Perry was 4-0 and didn’t walk a batter. The next year, Perry was 0-5 in five starts versus the Cardinals. Perry pitched well against the … [Read more...] about Tale of two seasons: All or nothing for Gaylord Perry

Rescued from the Reds farm system, where he languished as a reliever, Kurt Kepshire developed into a starter for a Cardinals contender. Forty years ago, on Dec. 6, 1982, Kepshire was chosen by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft after being left off the Reds’ big-league winter roster. The Cardinals might have kept Kepshire in a relief role as well if not for a fluke … [Read more...] about How Kurt Kepshire earned spot in Cardinals’ rotation

Ken Griffey Jr. should have been in the lineup for the Padres when the Cardinals faced them in the 2005 and 2006 National League playoffs. Instead, Griffey remained with the Reds, a team that never reached the playoffs during his nine seasons with them. Twenty years ago, in November 2002, the Reds and Padres agreed to a trade of Griffey for Phil Nevin. Griffey would have been … [Read more...] about How Ken Griffey Jr. came close to playing for Padres