'Vinegar Bend' Mizell - Pitcher, Throws Left Bats Right - St. Louis Cardinals 1952-53, 1956-60; U.S. Military 1954-56; Pittsburgh Pirates 1961-62 - Born 8/13/1930 Leakesville, Mississippi Wilmer Mizell hailed from the small Alabama town of Vinegar Bend, and gave lasting fame when the sports' writers dubbed him 'Vinegar Bend'. He made his pitching debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1952, going 10-8, 3.65 ERA. A fastball pitcher, 'Vinegar Bend' Mizell struck out 146 batters that year in 190 innings - an average of 7.6 per/9 innings. Traded to the Pirates in May of 1960, he helped his new team capture the pennant that year going 13-5. When he retired from baseball after the 1962 season, he was elected to the United States Congress from North Carolina. |