Cardinals Top Twins in Exhibition Game

Mar. 29, 1965 - The defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals made easy work in disposing of the Twins, 5-2, today at St. Petersburg, Fla. — except for Tony Oliva (pictured) and Jimmie Hall.

A photographer put Oliva, the Twins’ 1964 batting king, on a high platform in left field before the game to get a picture series for an upcoming feature in Sports Illustrated. 

When the game started, Oliva his an inside-the-park home run to the same platform at 450-foot left-center field for the Twins’ first run off St. Louis starter Ron Taylor.

That was Minnesota’s last run, too, until pinch hitter Hall tripled to the same sector in the ninth against Bob Humphreys and scored on Sandy Valdespino’s infield out.

The Cards received eight-hit pitching from their relief staff — Taylor, knuckleballer Barney Schultz, and Humphreys. Oliva had two hits.

St. Louis shows a 6-10 record in the Grapefruit League, while the Twins stand 9-8 in exhibitions.

Manager Red Schoendienst of the Cardinals said: “I’m just starting to put the regulars together on a daily game basis with the season only two weeks away. Up to now, we’ve been giving a lot of youngsters a chance, but we’re going to open with our World Series lineup of 1964.

“Only catcher Tim McCarver has been delayed by a broken finger, but we expect him to be ready for the opener.”In the other dugout, manager Sam Mele of the Twins has been disappointed by Mudcat Grant’s slow start.

“It’s getting late,” said Mele, “and Grant has been hit hard every time out. Jim Merritt and Dick Stigman have been disappointing, too.

“Fortunately, Camilo Pascual, Jim Kaat, and John Klippstein look sharp, and young Jerry Fosnow and Dave Boswell have been better than we hoped for.”

As for Harmon Killebrew’s switch from left field to first base, Mele is satisfied.

“Harmon has done a fine job making all the plays,” said Sam. “He’s more natural around the bag than Bob Allison was last spring because Harmon is a former infielder.

“I’m not concerned too much with Killebrew’s lack of power at this point. Just so he’s swinging the bat when the bell rings (April 12 in Minnesota against the Yankees.”

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