I have heard many people over the years say they would like to just play one game in the major leagues so they could say they did. Well, here is a list of Cardinal players that did just that.
(This list in on-going and not complete as I will be adding players for the next several months)
Joseph Edward “Wagon Tongue” Adams (October 28, 1877 – October 8, 1952) Adams appeared in one game for the Cardinals on April 26, 1902, at the age of 24. He pitched four innings and allowed nine hits but also walked two players, hit another, and gave up six runs (four earned), resulting in a career ERA of 9.00.
Walter Emmons Alston (December 1, 1911 – October 1, 1984), is best known for managing the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers between 1954 and 1976. Alston signed 23 one-year contracts with the Dodgers. His MLB playing career consisted of one game and one at-bat with the St. Louis Cardinals on September 27, 1936 without a hit.
Clarence Scott Beers pitched two-thirds of an inning in the major leagues when he made his only major league appearance on May 2, 1948, with the Cardinals. In that game, he walked one and allowed three hits. Four runs scored against him — one of them was earned. His ERA ended at 13.50.
Sid Benton (August 4, 1894 – March 8, 1977) played for Cardinals in the 1922 season. He played just one game in his career, facing two batters and walking both of them on April 22, 1922.
Joe Bernard (March 24, 1882 – September 22, 1960), nicknamed “J.C.”, was a right-handed pitcher who appeared in one game for the Cardinals on September 23, 1909. He fanned two batters in his only appearance for a 0.00 ERA but also allowed one hit and walked two. He did get to finish the game.
Coonie Blank was a catcher in Major League Baseball. He played in one game for the Cardinals on August 15, 1909, and was hitless in two at-bats.
Harvey Branch career consisted of a single game in the uniform of the Cardinals on September 18, 1962. Branch yielded five hits and three earned runs in his five innings of work, with five walks and two strikeouts, including a home run by Ron Santo. Boxscore
Cal Browning– was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Cardinals in one game on June 12, 1960, and finished with a 40.50 ERA and no wins.
Farmer Burns– played in one game and it was on July 6, 1901. He faced seven batters, allowed 2 hits, one walk, hit one batter and finished with a 9.00 ERA.
Al Cabrera– played his one and only major league game on May 16, 1913. He went a disappointing 0–2 at the plate in that game. However, he did make history as he became the first Spanish-born and also the first and even to this day only African-born major leaguer.
Bill Chambers– played in one Major League game for the Cardinals on July 11, 1910, pitching one inning, and allowing one unearned run.
Ed Conwell– he appeared in one Major League Baseball game for the Cardinals September 22, 1911, and had one at-bat with no hits.
Mays Copeland– he pitched in one game for the Cardinals on April 27, 1935 and finished with an ERA at 13.50.
Fred Gaiser– pitched in one game for the Cardinals on September 3, 1908, and fanned two but finished with a 7.71 ERA.
Herb Gorman– had only one Major League at-bat in one game with no hits as he played for the St. Louis Cardinals on April 19, 1952. The next year he died while walking off the field in a minor league game.
Fred Hahn– He played for the St. Louis Cardinals on April 19, 1952 (same as above) and pitched two innings and allowed no runs.
Clarence Heise– (August 7, 1907 – May 30, 1999), pitched in one game, which was on April 22, 1934, in which he allowed three hits and three runs in two innings in relief.
Earl Howard– was born Earl Nycum Howard in Everett, PA (June 25, 1896 – April 4, 1937) and was a Major League Baseball pitcher who only played in one game for the St. Louis Cardinals on April 18, 1918. He faced 7 batters in two innings of work.
Memo Luna– known as Guillermo “Memo” Luna Romero (born June 25, 1930, in Mexico City) played one game in the major leagues which was on April 20, 1954. In the first inning, he walked Bobby Adams, then had a double hit by Roy McMillan and retired Rip Repulski on a fly ball, got the second out when Jim Greengrass hit a sac fly. Then Ted Kluzewski doubles and Johnny Temple walked and his day was done as Mel Wright come in to replace him. Luna was the losing pitcher of record.
Ernie Lush– made his debut on July 20, 1910, and had 4 at-bats with no hits in his career.
Hersh Lyons– played his only major league game with the Cardinals on April 17, 1941, as a reliever in a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field. He allowed one hit and gave three walks while striking out one over 1⅓ innings, and posted a perfect 0.00 earned run average.
Larry Milton– played his only game on May 7, 1903, as a pitcher. His career numbers show no record with no strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA.
Fred Marolewski– played in one game for the Cardinals as a first baseman on September 19, 1953, and had no at bats.
Chip Marshall– June 14, 1941, was his only major league appearance as he entered the game as a pinch runner for catcher Gus Mancuso but never scored nor had an official at-bat. He did stay in the game to catch the 9th inning with Ira Hutchinson on the mound. BOXSCORE
John Mercer– took his only at-bat on June 25, 1912, and didn’t record a hit.
Harry Patton– pitched in one major league game on August 22, 1910. He registered two strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA but no wins or losses.
Tim Plodinec– pitched in relief on June 2, 1972. He left with a 6.00 ERA as he allowed 3 hits and one run in one-third of an inning. BOXSCORE
Bill Schindler– Played in one game which was on Sept. 3, 1920, in which he got two at-bats and no hits. Aren’t you glad Schindler made the list?
Dick Terwilliger– pitched three innings and allowed no runs on August 18, 1932.
Ed Taylor– He pitched in one game for the Cardinals on August 8, 1903. In his only major league game, he pitched three innings without giving up a hit or a run, walking nobody and striking out one batter.
Jimmy Whelan– pitched in one game for the St. Louis Cardinals on April 24, 1903. He pitched three innings without giving up a hit or a run, walking nobody and striking out one batter.
** If you know of any we forgot to include, feel free to send us a message. **