Joaquin Andujar and the Cardinals Forgotten Ace from the 1980s

Who’s the forgotten ace of the St. Louis Cardinals from the 1980s? It’s right-hander Joaquin Andujar.

There were some outstanding pitchers in the 1980s who contributed to the Cardinals success during that remarkable decade. Most will remember John Tudor’s phenomenal 1985 season or Danny Cox’s 18 wins in 1985 or Joe Magrane’s NL leading 2.18 ERA in 1988. Most of us will never forget legend Bob Forsch pitching a three-hit complete game shutout in the 1982 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves.

Tudor and Forsch are now in the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.

However, if you had to pick an ace in the 1980s for the Cardinals, a case could easily be made for Joaquin Andujar. After all, he had back-to-back seasons with 20 or more wins, led the National League in innings pitched and shutouts in 1985, made two All-Star appearances, and won a Gold Glove.

Yet this right-hander from the Dominican Republic is not in the Cardinals Hall of Fame, nor even made the the ballot. Nonetheless, when look closely at the 1982 World Series Championship, Andujar would be considered the staff ace.

First let’s look at how Joaquin Andujar arrived in St. Louis.