Tomasik: Larry Dierker’s unsatisfying stint with the Cardinals
From SABR member Mark Tomasik at RetroSimba on November 18, 2016:
Larry Dierker was one of the most popular, personable and productive pitchers to play for the Astros. He was as smooth a fit for Houston as oil, aerospace and barbecue. Imagine then the shockwaves when he was traded to the Cardinals.
Seeking a veteran leader for their starting rotation with a proven record of delivering double-digit wins, the Cardinals acquired Dierker and infielder Jerry DaVanon from the Astros for catcher Joe Ferguson and outfielder Bob Detherage 40 years ago, on Nov. 23, 1976.
It appeared at the time to be a masterful move by Cardinals general manager Bing Devine.
Dierker, 30, had produced nine seasons with double-digit win totals for the Astros, including 1969 when he became the first Houston pitcher to earn 20 and 1976 when he had a no-hitter versus the Expos among his 13 wins.
When he joined the Cardinals, Dierker ranked fifth among active National League pitchers in career NL wins, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Only future Hall of Famers Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Steve Carlton and Phil Niekro had more.
Read the full article here: https://retrosimba.com/2016/11/18/larry-dierker-and-his-unsatisfying-stint-with-cardinals/
Originally published: November 18, 2016. Last Updated: November 18, 2016.