Atlanta Braves Flashback Friday: The pitcher who hit two grand slams in one game
By Jeff Schafer
Braves Flashback Friday: Do you remember the pitcher who hit two grand slams in one game?
Sunday, July 3, 1966…this was the day we should all remember as one of the best performances an Atlanta Braves pitcher has ever had. The Braves took on the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park in an afternoon ball game in front of 27,000 fans. When the fans
The Braves took on the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park in an afternoon ball game in front of 27,000 fans. When the fans arrived to the facility, they had no idea what they were about to see.
The Braves and manager Bobby Bragan sent a young 25-year-old right hander named Tony Cloninger to the mound. He came into the game with an 8-7 record and a 4.35 ERA and had a .200 batting average. On this night, he would improve all of those categories.
Cloninger was born on August 13, 1940, in North Carolina and was signed by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1958. The righty pitched with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves from 1961-1968, Cincinnati Reds from 1968-1971 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972.
Let’s Jump Into The Action
In the first inning, Joe Torre hit a three-run bomb to get things going for the Braves. Frank Bolling and Woody Woodward would follow that homer with singles and Denis Menke drew a walk. This lead to Cloninger walking to the plate with the bases loaded.
Cloninger would drive a ball deep in between left and center field…going, going, going, GONE!! Hitting his first career grand slam and fourth career homer.
On the mound, he would work his way in and out of the Giants lineup fairly easily. Cloninger didn’t allow a hit until the 3rd inning and continued to keep San Fran off the scoreboard until the 4th inning.
Oh, how about that 4th inning…
In front of the San Francisco crowd, Braves fans saw a little deja vu in the top of the 4th inning.
More from Braves News
- Atlanta Braves: Current Left Field Mix
- Atlanta Braves 2023 Preseason Top 30 Prospects List: 11-15
- Braves News: Braves sign Luplow, Atlanta’s shortstop plans, more
- Atlanta Braves Could Go With Six-Man Rotation in 2023
- Atlanta Braves sign free agent outfielder Jordan Luplow
Torre, Bolling and Menke again loading the bases…guess who’s up?!? Yup, Cloninger!
He would hit another blast to record his second grand slam home run of the game. Cloninger became the first player in the National League, and the only pitcher to date, to hit two grand slams in the same game!!
As the game ended, Cloninger finished his complete game with five strikeouts and picked up his ninth win of the season. He was the player of the game, going 3-5 with nine RBI’s and a complete-game win on the mound. The Braves won this match up against the Giants 17-3.
The Braves won this match up against the Giants 17-3.
While being a member of the Braves, he won 86 games (113 in his career) with a 3.94 ERA and while at the plate he hit six home runs (11 career), 50 RBI’s (67 career), and a .189 batting average (.192 career).
But on July 3, 1966 Cloninger was the total package.
So take that to the bank, to the ball game tonight, the bar, the restaurant or wherever it may be and do with it as you please. Quiz your friends and you can be the smart guy for the night!
Next: Get Dialed In On Braves Minors
Crazy stat…just five starts prior, Cloninger went 3-5 at the plate with hit two homers and five RBIs. He also pitched a complete game on this night and only gave up five hits and one run.
One Additional Crazy stat…on Cloninger’s first start of the 1966 season, he threw a complete game 13 innings and gave up 10 hits, three runs, three walks and had 12 strikeouts. Talk about saving your bullpen.