Nov. 19, 1962 - The Pittsburgh Pirates, making the first of several anticipated trades, sent their seasoned shortstop, Dick Groat (pictured second from right), and a left-handed reliever, Diomedes Olivo, to the St. Louis Cardinals today in a straight trade for a right-handed pitcher, Don Cardwell, and an infielder, Julio Gotay. The Pirate general manager, Joe L. Brown, said, “It will not end our attempts to make other deals of the same caliber.” The trade appeared to be one of experience for youth. The 32-year-old Groat had spent 10 years with Pittsburgh since leaving Duke. He batted .299 last season. Groat had been team captain for five years. His best season was in 1960, when he led the Pirates to their first National League pennant in 33 years and their first championship in 35 years. He won the batting title that year with a .325 average and was named the league’s most valuable player. Brown said he felt Pittsburgh could afford to trade Groat because he had confidence in the ability of Dick Schofield to step into the regular shortstop spot. The Cardinal’s general manager, Johnny Keane, said, “Groat will be our regular shortstop. He has the experience and skill we’ve needed. He’s as good as anyone in baseball in the No. 2 spot in the batting order. He can go to the opposite field, he can pull, he can hit and run as well as anyone, and he can bunt.”
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