The Losing Pitcher In The First Game Ever Played At Shea Stadium: Ed Bauta (1963-1964)

Eduardo (Galvez) Bauta was born on January 6th, 1935 in Florida, Cuba. The tall six foot three right hander was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1956. Bauta was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on May 28, 1960, along with Julian Javier for Dick Gray and future Met / politician Vinegar Bend Mizell.

He spent four years with the Cards pitching as a reliever going 3-0 over his first three seasons with seven saves. In 1963 he saw the most action, first pitching in 38 games going 3-4, while finishing 19 in St. Louis through August 5th. He was then traded to the New York Mets for pitched Ken MacKenzie.

Bauta debuted with the Mets on August 11th, 1963 pitching four innings of relief in an 8-1 loss against the Chicago Cubs in the first game of a double header at the Polo Grounds. He would allow two runs that day as well as allow two runs in three of his first four appearances.

Overall in nine appearances with New York he posted no record, finished one game while posting a 5.21 ERA.

In 1964 he began the year with the Mets in the brand new Shea Stadium, and was the losing pitcher in the first game ever played there. Bauta relieved Jack Fisher in the top of the 7th inning and immediately gave up a single to future Mets star Donn Clendenon tying the game.

 In the top of the 9th inning he allowed singles to Willie Stargell & Clendenon, then with two outs Bill Mazeroski also singled driving in Stargell in what would be the game winning run.

On April 26th he earned a save against the Pirates in Pittsburgh lowering his ERA to 1.59. He took another loss at Cincinnati on May 3rd in the first game of a double header, but then would allow five in runs in his next three outings over just four innings pitched. He was sent down to AAA Buffalo after going 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in eight appearances.

Bauta would pitch in the minor leagues through 1973 going 70-49 there with a 2.94 ERA in 450 games over 14 seasons total.