Joaquín Andújar #47

 

This week, a 4 time All Star who was a 1982 World Series hero for the Cardinals...Joaquin Andujar! Joaquin was signed at 16 by the Reds but after 6 up and down seasons in the minors he was traded to the Astros. He had two all star appearances for Houston, but didn't put together a full great season there. The Cardinals, with manager Whitey Herzog and coach Hub Kittle thought they could fix him...and they did! he put together two 20 win seasons and a fantastic 1982 World Series. He showed guts coming back after a bone bruise knocked him out of Game 3, coming back to win Game 7 and the title. He later was implicated in the Pittsburgh Drug Trials and was thrown out of 1985 World Series Game 7. He was a colorful character, called a "hot dog" by Jim Gantner and Tom Seaver and every other announcer. But he had some great seasons and memorable moments. 

Sadly, Joaquin passed away on September 8, 2015, at his home in San Pedro de Macorís, from complications of diabetes at the age of 62. 

Topics: Suds Series, Cocaine, interesting hitting strategies

Listen:

Links:

SABR bio by Malcolm Allen

RetroSimba about Joaquin and Whitey

RetroSimba about Joaquin and Hub Kittle

Defector article about Starter jackets

Joaquin in the 1979 All Star Game:

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1982 World Series Game 3 injury:

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Joaquin’s warmup in 1982 World Series Game 7:

 

Joaquin vs Gantner:

 

Joaquin hits a grand slam:

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Andujar vs Krukow: 

Joaquin gets tossed from 1985 World Series:

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MLB remembers Joaquin: