Friday night’s suicide squeeze by Matt Pagnozzi was the St. Louis Cardinals’ first in three years.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie catcher Matt Pagnozzi executed a squeeze play in the sixth inning on Friday night, driving home the last of the Cardinals’ three runs in their win over the Colorado Rockies.
It was the first successful suicide squeeze for an RBI by a member of the Cardinals in almost three years. The last was been in April 2008 by pitcher Brad Thompson.
In the last 51 years, since 1960, the Cardinals have executed 146 sacrifice bunts that delivered an RBI. That averages slightly fewer than three per season. As recently as 2005, the Cardinals had 11 such plays, executed by 11 different players.
Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith led the way with 20 sac bunts for RBIs since 1960.
St. Louis Cardinals team leaders, sacrifice bunt RBI, 1960-2010
O.Smith | 20 |
Forsch | 7 |
Herr | 7 |
Oquendo | 6 |
Taguchi | 5 |
LaValliere | 4 |
Matheny | 4 |
Pendleton | 4 |
By a considerable margin, the 1980’s era Whiteyball was the most prevalent decade for this play.
St. Louis Cardinals, sacrifice bunt RBI by decade, 1960-2010
2000’s | 31 |
1990’s | 18 |
1980’s | 68 |
1970’s | 9 |
1960’s | 17 |
The list of the previous 145 sacrifice bunts that delivered RBIs follows, all courtesy of researcher Tom Orf.
St. Louis Cardinals, sacrifice bunt RBI, 1960-2010
Date | Batter | Opp | Pitcher | Score | BOP | Pos | Inn | RoB | Out | RBI | |
4/8/2008 | Brad Thompson | @HOU | Shawn Chacon | tied 0-0 | 8 | 1 | Out | t2 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
8/15/2007 | Brendan Ryan | @MIL | Yovani Gallardo | ahead 1-5 | 9 | 4 | Out | t6 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
9/10/2006 | Jeff Suppan | @ARI | Tony Pena | ahead 4-6 | 9 | 1 | Out | t6 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
8/1/2006 | Ronnie Belliard | PHI | Scott Mathieson | down 3-1 | 7 | 4 | Out | b4 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
5/19/2006 | So Taguchi | @KCR | Joel Peralta | ahead 5-8 | 7 | 7 | Out | t5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
4/24/2006 | David Eckstein | PIT | Oliver Perez | ahead 0-3 | 1 | 6 | Out | b2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/17/2005 | Mark Mulder | @CHC | Greg Maddux | ahead 0-1 | 9 | 1 | Out | t2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/2/2005 | John Rodriguez | @HOU | Brad Lidge | tied 3-3 | 5 | 7 | Out | t10 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
8/20/2005 | Yadier Molina | SFG | Kevin Correia | ahead 2-3 | 8 | 2 | FC | b6 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
8/17/2005 | Abraham Nunez | ARI | Brandon Webb | ahead 0-4 | 2 | 5 | Out | b7 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
8/10/2005 | So Taguchi | @MIL | Ben Sheets | tied 0-0 | 3 | 9 | Out | t1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
7/31/2005 | Hector Luna | @LAD | Steve Schmoll | ahead 2-4 | 7 | 5 | Out | t8 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
7/26/2005 | Einar Diaz | @SDP | Woody Williams | ahead 0-3 | 8 | 2 | Out | t6 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
7/6/2005 | David Eckstein | @ARI | Javier Vazquez | tied 1-1 | 1 | 6 | Out | t9 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/25/2005 | Chris Carpenter | PIT | Mark Redman | ahead 0-4 | 9 | 1 | Out | b4 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
6/6/2005 | Matt Morris | BOS | Tim Wakefield | ahead 1-2 | 9 | 1 | Out | b2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
5/17/2005 | Jeff Suppan | @PHI | Cory Lidle | down 2-0 | 9 | 1 | Out | t2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/18/2004 | So Taguchi | ARI | Chad Durbin | ahead 0-4 | 2 | 8 | Out | b7 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
5/11/2004 | Mike Matheny | ATL | Jaret Wright | ahead 1-2 | 8 | 2 | RoE | b6 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
4/29/2004 | So Taguchi | PHI | Kevin Millwood | tied 0-0 | 8 | 7 | Out | b5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
4/22/2004 | Hector Luna | @HOU | Dan Miceli | tied 1-1 | 9 | 11 | Out | t12 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
9/16/2003 | Bo Hart | MIL | Luis Martinez | ahead 0-3 | 1 | 4 | Out | b2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
8/24/2003 | So Taguchi | PHI | Mike Williams | ahead 0-2 | 9 | 9 | Out | b8 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
7/3/2003 | Bo Hart | SFG | Kirk Rueter | ahead 0-3 | 1 | 4 | Out | b2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
4/27/2003 | Orlando Palmeiro | @FLA | Tim Spooneybarger | ahead 1-5 | 9 | 11 | Out | t9 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
9/10/2002 | Miguel Cairo | @MIL | Jose Cabrera | ahead 3-6 | 1 | 4 | Out | t8 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
8/11/2002 | Chuck Finley | NYM | Pedro Astacio | tied 0-0 | 9 | 1 | RoE | b2 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
7/14/2002 | Bud Smith | @SDP | Bobby Jones | ahead 0-2 | 9 | 1 | Out | t6 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
6/1/2002 | Mike Matheny | PIT | Bronson Arroyo | ahead 0-5 | 8 | 2 | Out | b1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
9/2/2001 | Mike Matheny | @LAD | Kevin Brown | tied 0-0 | 8 | 2 | Out | t2 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
7/27/2001 | Mike Matheny | @CHC | Jason Bere | ahead 1-2 | 8 | 2 | Out | t2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/6/1999 | Joe McEwing | @DET | Bryce Florie | tied 1-1 | 1 | 4 | RoE | t5 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/22/1998 | Luis Ordaz | HOU | Scott Elarton | ahead 0-3 | 7 | 6 | Out | b6 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
9/16/1998 | Joe McEwing | PIT | Jason Christiansen | ahead 0-2 | 1 | 4 | Out | b7 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
8/7/1998 | Kent Bottenfield | CHC | Steve Trachsel | tied 3-3 | 8 | 1 | RoE | b1 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
8/5/1998 | Kent Mercker | @MIL | Jeff Juden | ahead 1-3 | 8 | 1 | FC | t4 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
7/12/1998 | Placido Polanco | HOU | Sean Bergman | ahead 1-3 | 7 | 4 | Out | b3 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
4/25/1998 | David Howard | @PHI | Yorkis Perez | ahead 5-6 | 8 | 4 | Out | t8 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
5/24/1997 | Andy Benes | @SFG | Joe Roa | ahead 2-3 | 9 | 1 | Out | t4 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
4/15/1997 | Brady Raggio | @FLA | Alex Fernandez | ahead 0-3 | 9 | 1 | Out | t4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
9/13/1996 | Danny Sheaffer | @LAD | Mark Guthrie | tied 0-0 | 7 | 2 | Out | t9 | 12- | 0 | 1 |
9/12/1993 | Rheal Cormier | @SFG | John Burkett | ahead 1-2 | 9 | 1 | Out | t4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
4/22/1993 | Jose Oquendo | COL | Jeff Parrett | ahead 2-4 | 8 | 6 | Out | b8 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
7/23/1992 | Rheal Cormier | CIN | Jose Rijo | tied 1-1 | 9 | 1 | Out | b2 | 1-3 | 0 | 1 |
8/25/1991 | Tom Pagnozzi | LAD | Tim Belcher | ahead 1-3 | 7 | 2 | Out | b6 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
6/13/1991 | Jose Oquendo | @SDP | Atlee Hammaker | ahead 1-4 | 8 | 4 | Out | t5 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/9/1990 | Bryn Smith | @CHC | Mike Bielecki | ahead 0-2 | 9 | 1 | Out | t2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
7/5/1990 | Ozzie Smith | @SDP | Greg Harris | ahead 1-2 | 2 | 6 | Out | t9 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/1/1990 | Jose Oquendo | CHC | Greg Maddux | ahead 1-2 | 8 | 4 | Out | b6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
08/14/1989-2 | Tim Jones | ATL | Paul Assenmacher | ahead 2-4 | 7 | 6 | Out | b6 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
4/22/1989 | Terry Pendleton | MON | Gene Harris | ahead 2-3 | 3 | 5 | FC | b7 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
9/11/1988 | Ozzie Smith | CHC | Mike Harkey | tied 2-2 | 2 | 6 | Out | b7 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
9/5/1988 | Ozzie Smith | MON | Jeff Parrett | ahead 2-4 | 2 | 6 | Out | b7 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
8/24/1988 | Jose Oquendo | ATL | Bruce Sutter | ahead 3-4 | 7 | 4 | Out | b8 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
6/28/1988 | Luis Alicea | MON | John Dopson | tied 2-2 | 8 | 4 | Out | b6 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
6/23/1988 | Ozzie Smith | PHI | Shane Rawley | ahead 0-1 | 2 | 6 | Out | b7 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/4/1988 | Jose Oquendo | @PHI | Kent Tekulve | ahead 1-5 | 7 | 5 | FC | t8 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
4/30/1988 | Luis Alicea | @LAD | Fernando Valenzuela | ahead 0-1 | 8 | 4 | FC | t2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
4/21/1988 | Tom Herr | @PIT | Vicente Palacios | ahead 3-7 | 4 | 4 | Out | t7 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
9/15/1987 | Bob Forsch | @PHI | Kevin Gross | ahead 0-2 | 9 | 1 | Out | t2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
8/30/1987 | Jose Oquendo | ATL | Gene Garber | tied 3-3 | 7 | 4 | FC | b9 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
8/14/1987 | Greg Mathews | PHI | Bruce Ruffin | down 3-2 | 9 | 1 | Out | b2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
6/28/1987 | Ozzie Smith | @MON | Jeff Parrett | tied 6-6 | 2 | 6 | Out | t11 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/14/1987 | Tom Herr | CHC | Ed Lynch | ahead 0-2 | 3 | 4 | Out | b7 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/13/1987 | Ozzie Smith | CHC | Dickie Noles | ahead 2-4 | 2 | 6 | Out | b7 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
5/19/1987 | Rod Booker | @ATL | Rick Mahler | tied 3-3 | 8 | 11 | Out | t7 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
5/12/1987 | Joe Magrane | @SFG | Mike LaCoss | ahead 1-5 | 9 | 1 | Out | t9 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
4/26/1987 | Bob Forsch | @NYM | Randy Myers | ahead 0-6 | 9 | 1 | Out | t5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
9/21/1986 | Mike LaValliere | @MON | Curt Brown | ahead 2-6 | 7 | 2 | Out | t8 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
8/31/1986 | Tom Herr | CIN | Carl Willis | ahead 3-7 | 3 | 4 | FC | b6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
8/13/1986 | Danny Cox | @MON | Bryn Smith | tied 1-1 | 9 | 1 | Out | t2 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
8/7/1986 | John Tudor | PHI | Kevin Gross | tied 2-2 | 9 | 1 | RoE | b6 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
8/4/1986 | Terry Pendleton | PHI | Dan Schatzeder | tied 2-2 | 5 | 5 | FC | b9 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
7/30/1986 | Bob Forsch | @PHI | Charles Hudson | ahead 0-1 | 9 | 1 | Out | t2 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
7/21/1986 | Tom Herr | SFG | Steve Carlton | tied 3-3 | 5 | 4 | Out | b6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/29/1986 | Mike LaValliere | PHI | Don Carman | ahead 4-5 | 6 | 2 | Out | b8 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
6/27/1986 | Ozzie Smith | PHI | Shane Rawley | down 1-0 | 2 | 6 | RoE | b5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/24/1986 | Terry Pendleton | PIT | Jim Winn | ahead 1-2 | 7 | 5 | Out | b4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/11/1986 | Mike LaValliere | MON | Jeff Reardon | down 3-2 | 6 | 11 | Out | b9 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/3/1986 | Greg Mathews | @HOU | Jim Deshaies | ahead 0-2 | 9 | 1 | Out | t5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
5/11/1986 | Mike LaValliere | SFG | Mike Krukow | ahead 0-1 | 8 | 2 | Out | b2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
5/8/1986 | Ozzie Smith | SDP | Craig Lefferts | tied 3-3 | 2 | 6 | Out | b6 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/20/1985 | Ozzie Smith | MON | Randy St. Claire | ahead 3-4 | 7 | 6 | Out | b8 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
8/26/1985 | Ozzie Smith | @CIN | Jay Tibbs | ahead 0-2 | 8 | 6 | Out | t2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/23/1985 | Randy Hunt | CHC | Lary Sorensen | ahead 0-4 | 8 | 2 | Out | b6 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
6/18/1985 | Tom Nieto | PHI | Larry Andersen | ahead 0-4 | 8 | 2 | Out | b5 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
6/16/1985 | Ozzie Smith | @CHC | Dennis Eckersley | ahead 0-2 | 7 | 6 | Out | t4 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
6/14/1985 | Tom Nieto | @CHC | Lary Sorensen | ahead 4-5 | 8 | 2 | RoE | t6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
5/28/1985 | Tom Nieto | @ATL | Zane Smith | ahead 0-2 | 8 | 2 | RoE | t4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
5/26/1985 | Terry Pendleton | @CIN | John Franco | ahead 2-4 | 6 | 5 | Out | t8 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
5/20/1985 | Ozzie Smith | ATL | Craig McMurtry | ahead 0-5 | 2 | 6 | Out | b4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
09/12/1984-2 | Ozzie Smith | @PHI | Kevin Gross | down 3-2 | 8 | 6 | RoE | t4 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
6/17/1984 | Ozzie Smith | NYM | Bruce Berenyi | ahead 1-3 | 8 | 6 | Out | b4 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
5/27/1984 | Tom Herr | @ATL | Terry Forster | ahead 8-11 | 2 | 4 | Out | t8 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
5/18/1984 | Ozzie Smith | CIN | Tom Hume | ahead 3-4 | 7 | 6 | Out | b8 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
4/27/1984 | Ozzie Smith | @MON | Bob James | ahead 2-5 | 8 | 6 | RoE | t8 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/22/1983 | Jeff Doyle | NYM | Ron Darling | ahead 0-1 | 2 | 4 | Out | b5 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/7/1983 | Ken Oberkfell | PIT | Rod Scurry | ahead 1-4 | 6 | 5 | Out | b7 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
9/4/1983 | Glenn Brummer | CIN | Joe Price | ahead 0-1 | 8 | 2 | Out | b2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
8/19/1983 | Andy Van Slyke | HOU | Mike Madden | ahead 0-1 | 3 | 5 | Out | b8 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
6/21/1983 | Neil Allen | @NYM | Tom Gorman | ahead 0-3 | 9 | 1 | Out | t2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/17/1983 | Ozzie Smith | CHC | Chuck Rainey | ahead 2-3 | 8 | 6 | RoE | b4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/11/1983 | Ozzie Smith | @CHC | Craig Lefferts | tied 0-0 | 8 | 6 | Out | t2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
4/15/1983 | John Stuper | NYM | Scott Holman | ahead 0-4 | 9 | 1 | RoE | b6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
8/23/1982 | Ozzie Smith | LAD | Terry Forster | ahead 1-4 | 1 | 6 | Out | b6 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
8/14/1982 | Mike Ramsey | @PIT | Kent Tekulve | ahead 1-3 | 7 | 5 | Out | t8 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
8/13/1982 | Bob Forsch | @PIT | Don Robinson | down 2-1 | 9 | 1 | Out | t2 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
8/3/1982 | Ozzie Smith | PIT | Don Robinson | ahead 1-3 | 8 | 6 | Out | b5 | 123 | 1 | 1 |
7/31/1982 | Steve Mura | @MON | Dan Schatzeder | ahead 0-6 | 9 | 1 | Out | t6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
7/30/1982 | Dave LaPoint | @MON | Scott Sanderson | tied 3-3 | 9 | 1 | FC | t6 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
6/8/1982 | Ken Oberkfell | @MON | Woodie Fryman | ahead 3-4 | 2 | 5 | Out | t12 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/8/1982 | Mike Ramsey | @MON | Steve Rogers | down 2-1 | 9 | 11 | Out | t7 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/4/1982 | Bob Forsch | LAD | Terry Forster | ahead 2-4 | 9 | 1 | Out | b7 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
5/28/1982 | Mike Ramsey | SDP | Juan Eichelberger | ahead 1-3 | 8 | 4 | Out | b7 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
5/12/1981 | Tom Herr | @HOU | Joe Sambito | tied 2-2 | 8 | 4 | RoE | t10 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
8/3/1980 | Tom Herr | @LAD | Rick Sutcliffe | ahead 1-3 | 1 | 4 | Out | t9 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
7/16/1980 | Pete Vuckovich | SDP | Bob Shirley | ahead 0-2 | 9 | 1 | Out | b7 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
7/23/1976 | Eric Rasmussen | CHC | Ray Burris | tied 0-0 | 9 | 1 | Out | b3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6/21/1976 | Lynn McGlothen | NYM | Bob Apodaca | ahead 1-5 | 9 | 1 | Out | b5 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
6/3/1976 | Bob Forsch | PHI | Larry Christenson | ahead 0-2 | 9 | 1 | Out | b2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
5/4/1976 | John Denny | @ATL | Phil Niekro | ahead 0-2 | 9 | 1 | FC | t2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
8/24/1975 | Al Hrabosky | ATL | Max Leon | ahead 2-5 | 9 | 1 | FC | b8 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
8/2/1975 | Bob Forsch | @CHC | Milt Wilcox | ahead 0-3 | 9 | 1 | Out | t9 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
8/25/1974 | Lou Brock | @LAD | Andy Messersmith | down 5-1 | 1 | 7 | Out | t3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
9/14/1972 | Mick Kelleher | @MON | Bill Stoneman | ahead 0-1 | 8 | 6 | Out | t2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
08/13/1972-1 | Dal Maxvill | @PIT | Dock Ellis | ahead 0-1 | 8 | 6 | Out | t7 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
7/12/1969 | Jim Ellis | PIT | Steve Blass | ahead 0-2 | 9 | 1 | FC | b2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/1/1967 | Dal Maxvill | HOU | Bruce Von Hoff | ahead 0-2 | 8 | 6 | Out | b4 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
7/15/1966 | Julian Javier | @CIN | Sammy Ellis | ahead 1-2 | 8 | 4 | Out | t4 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
7/9/1966 | Ray Washburn | HOU | Larry Dierker | ahead 0-1 | 9 | 1 | RoE | b2 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
7/5/1966 | Phil Gagliano | @SFG | Ron Herbel | ahead 1-2 | 2 | 5 | Out | t8 | -23 | 1 | 1 |
09/05/1965-2 | Ray Washburn | NYM | Rob Gardner | tied 0-0 | 9 | 1 | Out | b5 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
7/4/1965 | Bob Purkey | @NYM | Galen Cisco | ahead 0-1 | 9 | 1 | Out | t2 | 123 | 0 | 1 |
06/13/1965-2 | Bob Purkey | MLN | Hank Fischer | ahead 0-1 | 9 | 1 | FC | b4 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/20/1964 | Bill White | @CIN | Joe Nuxhall | ahead 0-4 | 5 | 3 | Out | t3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
05/10/1964-2 | Ray Washburn | @NYM | Tom Sturdivant | ahead 1-6 | 9 | 1 | Out | t6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
5/3/1964 | Dick Groat | PIT | Don Schwall | ahead 3-5 | 2 | 6 | Out | b2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
4/19/1964 | Julian Javier | @HOU | Don Nottebart | tied 1-1 | 8 | 4 | Out | t2 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
8/3/1963 | Julian Javier | PHI | Cal McLish | tied 0-0 | 7 | 4 | Out | b2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
4/14/1962 | Don Landrum | @CHC | Cal Koonce | ahead 1-4 | 1 | 8 | Out | t6 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
9/1/1961 | Jimmie Schaffer | PIT | Al McBean | ahead 2-7 | 8 | 2 | Out | b7 | 1-3 | 1 | 1 |
06/20/1961-2 | Bob Lillis | @CIN | Joey Jay | ahead 0-4 | 8 | 4 | Out | t6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
5/3/1961 | Hal Smith | PIT | Vinegar Bend Mizell | ahead 0-2 | 8 | 2 | Out | b5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
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