Cloninger won 19 games in 1964, and 24 games in 1965. After winning 14 games in 1966, his career took a downturn. Oddly enough, while winning a total of 38 games in 1965 and 1966, he also led the league in walks and wild pitches in both years.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXD5HMuFGkz5PUp_TRbwNk6Z6mFzACKEK06nX1PezQthp59X0XrZvENhyAEmMA20n-a0gt-JZTsz8puZL3I9WPe9oKm7JFR86y7M2tGGwZGvdxWRKnBVReojPKHH0KbqrYyDU3hdcYkP4/s320/1967+Tony+Cloninger+(f).jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTD1wo_GVAmszydW86RhHuvzvr66A2TSvbNvvBwhTmHJBp3C1RS5Cps-qlJem9teUyHaH-MRnwu0eVcuBgOuKG55SbgGBldv2tg95eiMfqS6SJ5fRGtNkigDiY9wMz7Q8AMrDEpyMfos/s320/1967+Tony+Cloninger+(r).jpg)
On the card back we learn that Cloninger also hit 2 grand slams in the same game, as he collected 9 RBI in the Braves' 17-3 rout of the Giants on 7/3/1966.
In mid-1968, Cloninger was traded to the Reds along with relief pitcher Clay Carroll and 2nd baseman Woody Woodward for pitchers Milt Pappas and Ted Davidson, and utility infielder Bob Johnson. His 3 1/2 years with the Reds was unremarkable, and he was traded to the Cardinals prior to the 1972 season. The Cardinals released him in mid-1972.
As a youngster in 1967, I would sometimes hear Tony Cloninger's name on the radio during Phillies vs. Braves broadcasts. I would also occasionally hear Tony Conigliaro's name mentioned, but it wasn't until late in the season (probably when I got this card) that I realized they were 2 different players.
Also check out Cloninger's 1966 card.
No comments:
Post a Comment