This season didn’t go like most seasons. The Cardinals were terrible. I stopped writing here very much, with nothing after the blog anniversary. However, some things must go on and that includes the Exit Interview series! Now in its 12th year, it’s our look back at each player that made an appearance in a game for the St. Louis Cardinals. We’re approaching it a little different this season, a little more literary and a little less statistical, but hopefully you enjoy it just the same. As always, I am grateful that cardinalsgifs has agreed to use his talent for the header image!
Player: Juniel Querecuto
Stats: 9 G, 21 PA, 2 R, 1 2B, .100/.143/.150, -0.2 bWAR
Statcast: 7.1% barrel, 42.9% sweet spot, 99.8 max exit velocity, .134 wOBA, .226 xwOBA, 28.6% K, 4.8% BB
Grade: C
The Cardinals have had seven players with a name that starts with Q. Two of those were pitchers–we all remember Jose Quintana, of course, and I always was fond of Dan Quisenberry. The longtime Royals reliever was only in St. Louis for two years but I was glad that he made it across the state for a little while. You have to like a guy that said, after actually taking an at-bat, “I thought they were in a zone, but they were playing man to man.” Or being self-aware enough to say, “I became a better pitcher when I found a delivery in my flaw” and “Most pitchers fear losing their fastball and, since I don’t have one, the only thing I have to fear is fear itself.” Quiz was the best, man. Gone way too soon.
There was also Jaime Quirk, who played in St. Louis in 1983. Quirk had his own quirks (these things write themselves, folks). Then again, backup catchers usually do. The man played one year wearing the Birds on the Bat yet that’s the picture on his Wikipedia page. Quirk’s stayed in the game, though as he approaches 70 it seems unlikely he’ll get a managerial gig. He’s in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, which is a nice honor.
There was also Joe Quest (1883-1884), Joe Quinn (1893-1900), and Finners Quinlan (1913). If you know anything about these guys, you are much more steeped in St. Louis lore than I am.
I think we can put Querecuto in the latter category. There wasn’t much memorable about his time in St. Louis than his name, which is why we are talking about players starting with Q.
What’s in store for 2024: Querecuto was outrighted after the World Series and elected free agency. Perhaps he will latch on somewhere else and add to the rich tapestry of that team’s Q players.
