The story of Herm Wehmeier, 0-14 vs. Cardinals
From SABR member Mark Tomasik at Retrosimba on April 30, 2012:
In a classic example of the adage “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” the pitcher who posted the worst career record against the Cardinals got traded to St. Louis and enjoyed the best stretch of his big-league tenure.
When Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo took the loss April 27 in St. Louis’ 13-1 victory over Milwaukee, it dropped the right-hander’s career record against the Cardinals to 1-9. Gallardo is tied with Josh Fogg (who pitched in the big leagues from 2001-2009) for second-worst career mark against the Cardinals.
The pitcher with the worst all-time record versus the Cardinals is Herm Wehmeier, according to Elias Sports Bureau. In 31 appearances against St. Louis for the Reds and Phillies from 1949-1956, Wehmeier was 0-14 with a 4.89 ERA.
Wehmeier’s 14th loss to St. Louis occurred May 9, 1956, in the Cardinals’ 3-0 victory over the Phillies.
Two days later, the Cardinals traded pitchers Harvey Haddix, Stu Miller and Ben Flowers to Philadelphia for Wehmeier and pitcher Murry Dickson. The deal was unpopular with many Cardinals fans. Haddix had won 20 in 1953 and 18 in 1954. Though his record in 1955 fell to 12-16, many saw him as a pillar of St. Louis’ rotation.
But Cardinals coach Terry Moore, who was the Phillies’ manager when Philadelphia acquired Wehmeier from the Reds in 1954, had recommended the right-hander highly to St. Louis general manager Frank Lane. According to The Sporting News, Lane said he sought Wehmeier “because he can be depended upon to trouble Brooklyn and Milwaukee, teams the Cards must stop to win.”
Read the full article here: http://retrosimba.com/2012/04/30/the-story-of-herm-wehmeier-0-14-vs-cardinals/
Originally published: May 1, 2012. Last Updated: May 1, 2012.