Pitcher Andujar was World Series hero
Joaquin Andujar, a star pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1980s who called himself “One tough Dominican,” died Tuesday in his native Dominican Republic of diabetes complications. He was 62.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of the best pitchers in Cardinals history,” Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends and his teammates today.”
Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano, who like Andujar is from San Pedro de Macoris, wrote on Instagram that Andujar’s death was a “big pain for all baseball fans, especially all Dominicans, but even more so for all of us who had the chance to know you and learn from your example.”
The Cardinals planned a tribute to the fiery righthander, who threw as hard to first base as to the hitters, before playing the Cubs on Tuesday night.
“Joaquin was just a big personality,” said Cardinals broadcaster Al Hrabosky, a colorful performer himself during his playing career.
“He was good for the ballclub, not just for the wins but also to help keep people loose. There were times for levity and Joaquin was good at that.”
Andujar was a twotime All-Star during five seasons with the Cardinals from 1981-85. He had 20-win seasons in 1984 and ’85, led the NL in victories in ’84 and was a 15-game winner on the Cardinals’ World Series title team in ’82, also winning Game 7 of the Series against the Brewers.
Andujar finished 127-118 with a 3.58 ERA.
Yankees: General manager Brian Cashman said elbow inflammation will likely keep right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (14-3, 4.20 ERA) out through the end of the regular season.
Blue Jays: Righthander Marcus Stroman will make his first start of the season on Saturday at Yankee Stadium. Stroman underwent surgery in March after tearing the ACL in his left knee.
Red Sox: Second baseman Dustin Pedroia was back in the lineup after missing seven weeks with a strained hamstring.
Reds: Center fielder Billy Hamilton was activated from the disabled list. Hamilton had been sidelined since he hurt his shoulder while diving for a ball on Aug. 18. The Reds also activated outfielder Brennan Boesch. He had been sidelined with a sprained ankle.
Phillies: Monday’s crowd of 15,125 was the smallest in the 12-year history of Citizens Bank Park.
Noteworthy: The Royals will host the Mets in an opening-day interleague matchup next season. MLB announced the 2016 season will open with a Sunday night game on April 3 with teams to be named later. San Diego will play at Toronto for the first time from July 25-27; the Padres-Blue Jays at Rogers Centre is the only site matchup that hasn’t taken place since interleague play started in 1997.