Joe Cunningham (baseball)

Joe Cunningham (August 27, 1931 – March 25, 2012) was an American professional baseball player and coach. A right-handed hitting and throwing outfielder and first baseman, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 13 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals (1954–1961, 1966–1967). He also played for the Chicago White Sox (1962–1964) and Houston Colt .45s/Astros (1965).

Cunningham was known for his exceptional bat control and plate discipline. He was a two-time All-Star (1959, 1964) and won the National League batting title in 1959 with a .345 average. In that same year, he also led the league in on-base percentage (.453) and walks (114). His approach at the plate emphasized getting on base, and he consistently maintained high on-base percentages throughout his career.

After his playing career, Cunningham became a coach, working with the Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and Kansas City Royals. He also served as a scout for several organizations. He was highly regarded as a hitting instructor, emphasizing the importance of patience and selectivity at the plate. Cunningham's career statistics include a .291 batting average, 86 home runs, and 650 runs batted in over 1410 games.