Ernie Broglio
Encyclopedia
Ernest Gilbert Broglio is a former right-handed pitcher
in American
Major League Baseball
from 1959-66. Broglio signed with the independent Oakland Oaks
of the Pacific Coast League
after he attended West Contra Costa Junior College. He was acquired by the New York Giants
in 1956. After two seasons in the Giants’ minor league system—when he won 17 games each year—Broglio was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
in October 1958.
Although he led the National League
in wins with 21 for the Cardinals and won 18 for the Redbirds, Broglio is best remembered as the “other player” in the ultimately lopsided trade that sent future Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder
Lou Brock
from the Chicago Cubs
to the Cardinals on June 15, 1964.
When the deal was made, it was seen as a heist for the Cubs. Broglio had won 18 games the year before and was considered a top-flight starting pitcher
. Brock—one of the fastest men in the game with surprising power as a hitter—had been a disappointment in Chicago. But Brock would bat
.348 for the rest of the ’64 season, leading the Cardinals to a world championship
. He then would play another 15 years, star in two more World Series
(1967-68), and set the career stolen base
record (938, since broken by Rickey Henderson
). Broglio compiled a record of seven wins and 19 defeats for the Cubs.
His final record in the majors: 77 wins, 74 defeats, with an earned run average
of 3.74. The term “Brock for Broglio
” is still in use in the sports world to signify a lopsided player trade.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
from 1959-66. Broglio signed with the independent Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks (PCL)
The Oakland Oaks were a minor league baseball team in Oakland, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1955, after which the club transferred to Vancouver, British Columbia...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
after he attended West Contra Costa Junior College. He was acquired by the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in 1956. After two seasons in the Giants’ minor league system—when he won 17 games each year—Broglio was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in October 1958.
Although he led the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in wins with 21 for the Cardinals and won 18 for the Redbirds, Broglio is best remembered as the “other player” in the ultimately lopsided trade that sent future Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Lou Brock
Lou Brock
Louis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
from the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
to the Cardinals on June 15, 1964.
When the deal was made, it was seen as a heist for the Cubs. Broglio had won 18 games the year before and was considered a top-flight starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. Brock—one of the fastest men in the game with surprising power as a hitter—had been a disappointment in Chicago. But Brock would bat
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.348 for the rest of the ’64 season, leading the Cardinals to a world championship
1964 World Series
The 1964 World Series pitted the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals against the American League champion New York Yankees, with the Cardinals prevailing in seven games. St...
. He then would play another 15 years, star in two more World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
(1967-68), and set the career stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
record (938, since broken by Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
). Broglio compiled a record of seven wins and 19 defeats for the Cubs.
His final record in the majors: 77 wins, 74 defeats, with an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.74. The term “Brock for Broglio
Brock for Broglio
The phrase Brock for Broglio is sometimes used in the sport of baseball to signify a trade that in hindsight, turns out to be a ridicuously lopsided transaction....
” is still in use in the sports world to signify a lopsided player trade.