Joaquín Andújar, Former St. Louis Cardinals Player, Dies at 62
Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Joaquín Andújar passed away earlier on Tuesday at the age of 62.
According to Sporting News, Andújar died from complications of diabetes in his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic. He will forever be known as the man that pitched Game 7 of the 1982 World Series. In that game, he pitched seven innings and allowed two runs.
Andújar's career began in 1969 when he signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a teenager. It wasn't until 1976 that he made a name for himself. With the Astros, he made his first All Star team in 1977. In 1981, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where his career started to blossom.
During the 1982 World Series, Andújar was 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA, and he helped the Cardinals win the series against the Milwaukee Brewers in seven games.
In 1984 and 1985, he won 20 games and finished fourth in the Cy Young award race. When the Cardinals made it to the World Series again in 1985, Andújar pitched Game 3 and was the losing pitcher, as the Cardinals lost to the Kansas City Royals in seven games.
The next season, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics, where he was almost suspended for a year for his involvement dealing drugs with former teammate Lonnie Smith. Eventually the suspension was reduced to anti-drug donations and community service.
He spent the final year of his career with the Houston Astros in 1988.
Condolences were shared all over social media. The St. Louis Cardinals tweeted out their condolences toward one of their own:
Current Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Canó posted a photo on Instagram sending out his condolences toward Andújar:
Andújar played for 14 years with four clubs in the Dominican winter league after his Major League career was over.
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