Joe Cunningham

Joseph Robert Cunningham Jr. (August 27, 1931 – March 25, 2021) was an American baseball first baseman and outfielder who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and Washington Senators from 1954 to 1966. He batted and threw left-handed, and was a two-time All-Star.

Cunningham batted .291 with 980 hits over 1,141 career games. He finished his career with more walks (599) than strikeouts (369).

Early life Cunningham was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on August 27, 1931, He attended Lodi High School in nearby Lodi and was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1949 season.

Professional career Cunningham played four seasons in the minor leagues from 1949 to 1951, and the first part of the 1954 season. He served in the military for two years during the Korean War. He made his MLB debut on June 30, 1954, at the age of 22, In his first four major league games, Cunningham became the first Cardinals player to hit at least two home runs. This feat was equaled 62 years later on April 6, 2016, when Jeremy Hazelbaker also hit two home runs in his first four games.

Cunningham's 1959 season was arguably his best individual year. He led the National League in on-base percentage at .453 and batted .345 to finish second to Hank Aaron for the NL batting title. He was selected to both the first and second All-Star game that season. He played only 89 games in 1964 and 95 games in 1965, with his batting average dropping to .231 and .229, respectively. He played his final major league game on April 17, 1966, at the age of 34.

Post-playing career After retiring as a player, Cunningham returned to the Redbirds and managed in their farm system at the Class A level from 1968 to 1971.

Cunningham acted as the Cardinals' community relations director in the early 1990s. He collaborated closely with schools in the St. Louis area and in devising the "Say No To Drugs" program (which later became the Fredbird & Friends Elementary School Program). In recognition of his work for the franchise, the Cardinals dedicated a new section of Busch Stadium as "Cunningham Corner" in 2015.

Cunningham died on March 25, 2021, at his home in Chesterfield, Missouri. He was 89.