Joaquin Andujar and the Cardinals Forgotten Ace from the 1980s

PITTSBURGH, PA - 1983: Pitcher Joaquin Andujar #47 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during a Major League Baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - 1983: Pitcher Joaquin Andujar #47 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during a Major League Baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 08: St. Louis Cardinals legend Stan Musial is remembered in a pregame ceremony before the Opening Day game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds on April 8, 2013 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 08: St. Louis Cardinals legend Stan Musial is remembered in a pregame ceremony before the Opening Day game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds on April 8, 2013 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Andujar’s rocky road to St. Louis

Joaquin Andujar signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 1969 when he was still just 16 years old. He was 33-41 with a 4.33 ERA in six seasons with the Reds’ farm system. In December 1975, he was dealt to the Houston Astros.

During his seven years with the Astros organization, Andujar split time between the bullpen and the rotation. He went 44-53 with a 3.67 ERA., pitched 23 complete games, 5 shutouts, but also had seven saves. In addition, he was named to two All-Star teams.

Nevertheless, despite his durability and flexibility, the Astros never seemed to know what do with Andujar. After a 2-3 start with a 4.94 ERA in 1981, he was dealt to the Cardinals for outfielder Tony Scott.

Mark Tomasik of RetroSimba gives more details on why the Cardinals brought Andujar to St. Louis.