In 1977, 2 days into spring training, Buddy was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the St Louis Cardinals. In that year he ended up with a 6 and 1 record and a 2.33 ERA that was the 3rd lowest in the National League. On June 28th he got his first major league start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. up on leaving the game he received a standing ovation from 33,000 St Louis Cardinal Fans. Just 10 days earlier he had been sent to the minor leagues with a 3 and 1 record and a 1.40 ERA that was 5th lowest in the National League. He returned to the minors and struck out 15 in the first game he pitched and 10 in the second game. You never forget 33,000 fans standing and cheering just for you he says.
Buddy played for 10 years professionally and 5 years in the Major Leagues. He has a 15 and 9 record and a 3.68 ERA. He pitched in 168 games, 240 innings and struck out 193. He played with and against Hall of Famer's, met his boyhood idol Sandy Koufax on the field and was on 3 baseball cards. To this day he still receives those cards to be autographed from baseball fans around the world.