Historical Trade Reinforces Cardinals Roster for Potential World Series Run Against Rival Team
In a surprising turn of events, the St. Louis Cardinals strengthened their bullpen by acquiring right-handed reliever John Axford from the Milwaukee Brewers in August 2013. This trade, which seemed like a depth move at the time, proved to be a game-changer for the Cardinals' run to the World Series that year.
Axford, who had been a formidable opponent for the Cardinals in the past, quickly became a valuable asset in the St. Louis bullpen. In his 13 regular-season appearances with the Cardinals in 2013, he posted a impressive 1.74 ERA.
During the playoffs, Axford played a significant role in helping the Cardinals reach the World Series. In the NLCS, he allowed just one run in two innings. His contributions continued in the World Series, where he pitched in six games, including 2.1 scoreless innings against Boston and 1.1 scoreless against the Pirates in the NLDS.
Before joining the Cardinals, Axford was a beloved player among Brewers fans, particularly for his quirky facial hair and elite work as their closer in 2011. His contributions to the Brewers were so significant that he was later added to the "Wall of Honor" in 2021.
The trade from the Brewers to the Cardinals was especially interesting given the bad blood between the two teams and how important Axford was to the Brewers' run in 2011. It was not a common occurrence for such a trade to happen between rivals.
The player who transferred on August 30, 2013, was Michael Blazek, who would later be traded to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of the deal for John Axford in the 2013 season.
Edward Mujica was the Cardinals' closer for most of the 2013 season, but he lost his job to Trevor Rosenthal due to a decline in performance related to a back issue. Axford's arrival provided a much-needed boost to the Cardinals' bullpen, which also included Trevor Rosenthal, Kevin Siegrist, Randy Choate, Seth Maness, Joe Kelly, Carlos Martinez, and others.
The St. Louis Cardinals' trade for John Axford in 2013 was a strategic move that significantly strengthened their bullpen and ultimately helped them reach the World Series. Axford's contributions to the team will always be remembered as a crucial part of their 2013 World Series run.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- Tough choices on August 13, 2025 for those born under Aquarius? Consider the advantages and disadvantages to gain guidance
- Microbiome's Impact on Emotional States, Judgement, and Mental Health Conditions
- Restaurant staff allegedly requires Minnesota teenager to validate her gender for bathroom access.
