Gordie Richardson

Who is Gordie Richardson?

Gordon Clark Richardson, is a retired American professional baseball player, a left-handed pitcher who played in the Major Leagues from 1964–1966 for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed 185 pounds as an active player.

As a rookie in 1964, Richardson made a substantial contribution to the eventual National League and 1964 World Series champion Cardinals. After a stellar 9–3 record and 1.55 earned run average for the Triple-A Jacksonville Suns, he was recalled by the Cardinals and made his MLB debut as a starting pitcher against the first-place Philadelphia Phillies on July 26 at Connie Mack Stadium. Richardson responded with a complete game, 6–1 victory in which he gave up only five hits and three bases on balls. It was Richardson's only complete game in the Majors. He also recorded his first Major League save against the Phils on September 30 at St. Louis, preserving an 8–5 win for Redbird lefthander Curt Simmons. Richardson's efforts were crucial, as they enabled the Cardinals to overtake the Phillies to finish in first place in the NL by a single game.

Richardson appeared in 19 games for the 1964 Cardinals, 13 in relief, fashioning a 4–2 record and a 2.30 earned run average in 47 innings pitched. However, he was not effective in the 1964 World Series, giving up three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning over two appearances.