Ernie Broglio – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ernie Broglio pitched his last Major League Baseball game on July 2, 1966. That game closed out an eight-year career that started with a lot of promise but, honestly, most people now remember him for being part of one of baseball’s most infamous trades.

Broglio, a right-hander from Berkeley, California, started 159 games for two teams. He finished with a 77-74 record, which is pretty respectable.

Most folks remember Broglio as the main player the St. Louis Cardinals sent to the Chicago Cubs for Lou Brock in June 1964. That trade is now considered one of the most lopsided in baseball history. Brock became a Hall of Fame outfielder and helped St. Louis win two World Series. Meanwhile, Broglio battled injuries and went just 7-19 in his two seasons with the Cubs.

Even with that tough legacy, Broglio’s career had some real highlights that people tend to overlook. He won 21 games for the Cardinals in 1960 and followed that up with 18 wins in 1963. He established himself as a reliable starter before arm issues cut his career short and forced him to retire at just 30.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Ernest Gilbert Broglio was born on August 27, 1935, in Berkeley, California. His parents, Anna and Joseph Broglio, raised him in Northern California, where he played all sorts of sports before signing with the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League right out of high school.

Family Background and Childhood

Ernest Broglio arrived in Berkeley as the second child of Anna and Joseph Broglio. In 1945, when Ernie was ten, the family moved about five miles north to El Cerrito.

Joseph Broglio worked two jobs, every day of the week, just to support his family. He painted and sprayed for American Standard, a bathroom fixtures company, and also did gardening work on the side.

“I never had anybody influential push me,” Broglio said years later. “My dad carried two jobs seven days a week so he did not have much time to see me play.”

Even though his dad was always busy, Ernie still found ways to build his athletic skills. “I had played a lot of ‘street ball’ while growing up in Berkeley,” he remembered.

Nobody really guided Ernie formally, but that didn’t slow him down. His natural ability showed up early, and he played on his high school’s varsity teams while still just in eighth grade.

High School Years and Baseball Development

Broglio went to El Cerrito High School, where he showed off his versatility by playing three sports: baseball, basketball, and football. He only tried football for one season, though.

Baseball stood out as his best sport. At 13, he joined American Legion baseball, and he played all over the field—pitcher, first base, shortstop, and outfield.

During high school, Broglio played alongside Elijah “Pumpsie” Green, who caught for him. Green later made history as the first Black player for the Boston Red Sox, the last team in baseball to integrate.

By his senior year in 1953, Broglio had drawn a lot of attention from professional scouts. All 16 major league teams and three Pacific Coast League teams wanted to sign him.

Signing with Oakland Oaks

In spring 1953, Broglio made his choice. He skipped college and signed with the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League.

The Oaks played independently in the Pacific Coast League, which was a pretty big deal and often led to the majors. For Broglio, staying close to home and starting his pro career just made sense.

His first pro season was tough. Broglio went 2-4 with the Oaks and got a taste of what it was like to face veteran Pacific Coast League hitters.

The next year, the team sent him to Modesto in the California League so he could keep developing. He won nine games there in just a month and a half, which earned him a call back up to the Oaks.

Back in Oakland, Broglio wrapped up the 1954 season with a 5-8 record. His win-loss numbers weren’t great, but he was getting the kind of experience he’d need later.

Minor League Ascent

Ernie Broglio’s time in the minors showed steady progress from his teenage debut with Oakland to his strong run with Stockton. Two solid seasons in the New York Giants system set up his big league shot.

Performance with Oakland Oaks

Broglio signed with the independent Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League at 17 in 1953. That first season, he struggled with control and consistency.

He posted a rough 6.89 ERA in 11 games as a rookie. Broglio managed only 2 wins against 4 losses, not surprising for a teenager figuring things out against pros.

Still, Broglio stuck with Oakland and learned the basics of pitching at the next level. The Pacific Coast League gave him valuable experience against older hitters.

His time with the Oaks built a foundation for what came next. The team saw potential, even with the early bumps.

Standout Year with Stockton Ports

Broglio’s minor league journey took a turn as he moved between teams, including the Modesto Reds and Stockton Ports, thanks to various trades.

He kept improving as he adjusted to new teams and coaches. That helped him sharpen his pitching mechanics.

By the mid-1950s, Broglio had grown from a struggling teen into a real prospect. His strikeout numbers climbed, and his control got better.

He really broke through with the Dallas Eagles in 1957, posting a 2.51 ERA and showing just how far he’d come since his Oakland days.

Time with New York Giants’ System

The New York Giants picked up Broglio in 1956 after watching him develop for a few years. His two seasons in their minor league system changed his career.

Broglio won 17 games each year for the Giants’ farm teams. That kind of steady success proved he was ready for tougher competition.

Scouts around baseball took notice. Those back-to-back 17-win seasons made him one of the Giants’ top pitching prospects.

In October 1958, the Giants traded Broglio to the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a five-player deal. His minor league achievements set him up for a real shot in the majors.

MLB Debut and St. Louis Cardinals Years

Ernest Gilbert Broglio debuted in the majors on April 11, 1959. Over eight seasons, he won 77 games with a 3.74 ERA. His run with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1959 to 1964 included a monster 1960 season: 21 wins and a 2.74 ERA.

Major League Debut and Early Struggles

Broglio made his MLB debut against his old organization, the San Francisco Giants, on April 11, 1959. He struggled in that first game, walking four in the opening inning and taking the loss, even though he pitched into the sixth.

His next start, April 16 in Los Angeles, didn’t go much better. Broglio lasted just one inning against the Dodgers and gave up two home runs over that short left field fence.

After four games, Broglio was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA. Cardinals GM Bing Devine and manager Solly Hemus called him in. “I knew I was supposed to start again, but after they contacted me I started packing my stuff because I thought I was being sent to Rochester,” Broglio said. Instead, they told him to relax and stop pressing.

By mid-June, Broglio was 0-5 before finally getting his first win on June 16 against Philadelphia. His real breakthrough came on June 27 in Cincinnati, when he tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout against the Reds, winning 5-0 with six strikeouts and no walks.

Breakout 1960 Season

Broglio wasn’t supposed to be part of the regular rotation in 1960. He started out in relief but pitched his way into the starters’ group with strong outings.

His first complete game win came on May 30 against the Dodgers. The Cardinals jumped on Don Drysdale early, and Broglio struck out eight while giving up just four hits in a 15-3 win. He even helped at the plate, picking up two hits, three RBIs, and scoring twice.

By midseason, Broglio had a 9-4 record with a 2.86 ERA. He became a regular starter for the last 18 of his 21 appearances, as the Cardinals made a run at the pennant.

His most memorable game came August 11 in Pittsburgh. Broglio outdueled Bob Friend in a 12-inning battle, retiring 20 straight batters from the fifth through the 11th. Stan Musial’s two-run homer in the 12th gave St. Louis a 3-1 lead, and Broglio struck out Dick Stuart to nail down his 14th win.

Broglio finished 1960 at 21-9 with a 2.74 ERA, tying Warren Spahn for the league lead in wins and leading the National League in winning percentage (.700).

Key Performances and Accolades

Broglio got the nod as the Cardinals’ Opening Day starter more than once, including April 9, 1963, against the Mets at the Polo Grounds. He threw a two-hit shutout with eight strikeouts that day.

His 1963 season was probably his most steady. Broglio went 18-8 with a 2.99 earned run average in 35 starts. He finished 11 games and threw five shutouts, including four two-hitters that year.

During the Cardinals’ hot streak from August 30 through September 15, 1963, when they won 19 of 20 games, Broglio made four quality starts and picked up two wins. The team pulled within a game of the Dodgers during that run.

In 1962, Broglio helped the Cardinals pitching staff lead the National League with 17 shutouts. He threw four of those himself, finishing 12-9 with a 3.00 ERA and a career-high 11 complete games.

Battling Injuries and Final Seasons in St. Louis

Broglio’s 1961 season got derailed by shoulder problems. He pitched with a sore right shoulder almost all year and ended up getting nearly 20 cortisone shots. His record slipped to 9-12 in 26 starts, with seven complete games and two shutouts.

The 1964 season started off well, with Broglio again as Opening Day starter against the Dodgers in LA. But he lost to Sandy Koufax and had trouble finding his rhythm as the season went on.

By June 1964, Broglio’s record was 3-5 and his strikeout numbers had dropped. He was averaging just three strikeouts a game, way below his usual rate. Manager Johnny Keane started rotating six different starters as the team struggled.

On June 15, 1964, Broglio’s Cardinals run ended suddenly. The team traded him to the Chicago Cubs, along with pitcher Bobby Shantz and outfielder Doug Clemens. The St. Louis Cardinals got outfielder Lou Brock, pitcher Jack Spring, and pitcher Paul Toth in return. Broglio was stunned by the trade—he got called up to manager Keane’s hotel room in Houston to hear the news.

The Historic Lou Brock Trade

The June 15, 1964 trade between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals stands as one of baseball’s most lopsided deals. The Cubs sent future Hall of Famer Lou Brock to St. Louis for pitcher Ernie Broglio, who retired just two years later.

Background and Circumstances of the Trade

The Chicago Cubs got fed up with Lou Brock’s inconsistency, even after his breakout in 1963. Brock just couldn’t put it together at the plate, and he never became the impact player the Cubs had hoped for when they signed him.

Cardinals general manager Bing Devine spent months working on a potential deal before anything happened. The Cardinals needed more speed and youth in their outfield, and Brock, about to turn 25 just days after the trade, seemed like the answer.

The Cubs wanted a proven pitcher. They saw Ernie Broglio as the solution. Broglio had gone 18-8 in 1963 and even led the National League with 21 wins in an earlier season.

At that point, most people considered Broglio one of the National League’s top pitchers.

This six-player swap sent Brock, Jack Spring, and Paul Toth to St. Louis. In return, the Cardinals sent Broglio, Doug Clemens, and Bobby Shantz to Chicago.

Fans and experts mostly thought the Cubs had made a smart move.

Impact on the Cardinals and Cubs

The trade ended up changing things dramatically for both teams. Lou Brock became a Cardinals legend, sticking around for 15 more seasons in St. Louis.

He eventually made it into the Hall of Fame.

Brock’s speed gave the Cardinals a whole new look on offense. He turned into one of the best base stealers ever and helped St. Louis win two World Series titles.

Cardinals fans couldn’t stop thanking the Cubs for years afterward.

Ernie Broglio ran into trouble right away after joining the Cubs. His numbers fell off a cliff compared to his St. Louis days.

Broglio left Major League Baseball for good by 1966.

People started using “Brock for Broglio” as shorthand for a terrible trade. Cubs fans had to hear about it for decades, and it stuck with the organization for a long time.

Key Figures Involved

Lou Brock came out as the biggest winner in the trade. He went from a struggling outfielder to a Hall of Famer.

Brock enjoyed 15 seasons with the Cardinals and became one of the game’s most electrifying players.

Ernie Broglio ended up as the biggest disappointment. He was already 32 when the trade happened, and his best seasons were behind him.

Broglio managed only seven wins for the Cubs before he retired.

Jack Spring and Paul Toth went to St. Louis with Brock, but didn’t make much noise. Doug Clemens joined Broglio in Chicago and barely made a dent.

Cardinals GM Bing Devine got a lot of credit for pulling off what many still call one of the best trades in baseball history.

Chicago Cubs Tenure and Retirement

Broglio joined the Chicago Cubs in June 1964, part of the deal that sent Lou Brock to St. Louis. His time with the Cubs saw a big drop in performance.

He retired from MLB in 1966 after he just couldn’t find consistency or effectiveness on the mound.

Transition to the Chicago Cubs

Ernie Broglio landed in Chicago during the 1964 season, the centerpiece of the trade with St. Louis. The Cubs picked him up for outfielder Lou Brock in June of that year.

People now call this one of the most lopsided trades in baseball. Brock thrived in St. Louis, hitting .348 for the Cardinals, while Broglio never found his groove with the Cubs.

The right-hander struggled to adapt to the Cubs’ system right away. His performance dropped off compared to his best years with the Cardinals.

Performance and Decline

Broglio’s stats with the Chicago Cubs took a nosedive from his earlier success. In 1964, after joining mid-season, he put up a 4-7 record.

His ERA and overall effectiveness kept slipping during his Cubs tenure. The pitcher who once ranked among the National League’s best just couldn’t get back to that level.

The 1965 and 1966 seasons were especially rough for him. He finished his MLB career with a 7-19 record over those last two years with the Cubs.

Physical issues and shaky control made things even tougher for him during that stretch. The Cubs gave him chances, but he couldn’t recapture his earlier form.

Final MLB Season and Retirement

Broglio’s final MLB season came in 1966 with the Chicago Cubs. His last game was on July 2, 1966, against the Philadelphia Phillies.

In that last outing, he pitched just two-thirds of an inning, allowed one hit, and then got pulled. That short appearance closed the book on his eight-year major league career.

The Cubs released him after the 1966 season, ending his pro baseball days. At 30, Broglio was still pretty young for a pitcher, but his performance had faded for good.

He finished his last three seasons with Chicago, ending up with a career record that showed both his early promise and later struggles.

Legacy and Recognition

Ernie Broglio’s baseball legacy always comes up in conversations about one of baseball’s most lopsided trades. Still, his solid pitching deserves some recognition.

His career stats show he was a capable starter, even if circumstances overshadowed his reputation.

Evaluation of Career Achievements

Broglio put together some decent numbers during his eight years in the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. His best year was 1960, when he won 21 games with a 2.74 ERA, tying Warren Spahn for the National League lead in wins.

He finished with a 77-74 record and a 3.74 ERA over 213 games. Broglio threw 30 complete games and had 15 shutouts, including four two-hit shutouts in 1963.

His peak came between 1960 and 1963 with St. Louis. He racked up 60 wins and kept his ERA under 3.00 in three of those four seasons.

In 1963, he went 18-8 with a 2.99 ERA and five shutouts.

Broglio’s 1960 season stands out as one of the Cardinals’ best pitching performances from that era. His .700 winning percentage led the National League that year.

Long-Term Impact of the Brock-for-Broglio Trade

The trade on June 15, 1964, that sent Broglio to Chicago for Lou Brock became one of baseball’s most infamous deals. It changed both teams’ futures and shaped Broglio’s legacy.

Lou Brock turned into a superstar with the Cardinals, helping them win the World Series in 1964 and 1967. He made it to the Hall of Fame in 1985 after stealing 938 bases in his career.

Broglio, meanwhile, won just seven more games after the trade because of arm problems. He went 4-7 with Chicago in 1964, 3-8 in 1965, and 0-3 in 1966 before calling it quits.

This trade did more than affect the players—it showed just how fast things can flip in baseball. It still serves as a lesson about judging potential, and Cardinals fans love to bring it up when talking about great trades.

Recognition and Honors

Even though the trade didn’t go his way, Broglio still picked up recognition for what he brought to baseball.

He earned Texas League All-Star honors three times in the minors, in 1954, 1955, and 1957.

That 21-win season in 1960? It put him up there with the Cardinals’ best pitchers of the era. He actually tied for the National League lead in wins and led the league in winning percentage that year.

After he retired, Broglio stayed close to the game around the Bay Area. He settled into the San Jose home he bought back in 1959 and raised four kids with his wife, Barbara.

Baseball historians have tried to give Broglio’s career some perspective outside of that infamous trade. From 1959 to 1963, he showed real major league talent, at least before arm problems cut things short.