Tom Hilgendorf

Thomas Eugene Hilgendorf (born March 10, 1942, Clinton, Iowa) was a major league baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies.

Playing career

Tom Hilgendorf was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as a free agent in 1960. It took until 1969 for him to make it to the major leagues when the Cardinals brought him up from the minors as a 27 year old rookie. The left-hander made his debut against Atlanta.

He was traded to Cleveland where the fork-baller managed 6 saves and a 5-3 record for a team that didn't win very many games---in fact, the Indians finished last that year of 1973 in the East Division of the American League.

The following year, he was involved in the infamous Ten Cent Beer Night on June 4th,1974 and was hit by a steel folding chair thrown by one of those drunk fans who took part in the riot that ended the Indians game in a forfeit. Amazingly, the next night, concussion and all, he came on in relief to pick up a save in the Indians rout of the Rangers.

His best year was also his last year when he won 7 and lost 3 with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1975. On this high note, he played his last game on September 28th, 1975 and retired.

References

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference