Career
He batted and threw right-handed. A power pitcher, Cloninger compiled a career 113–97 record with 1,120 strikeouts and a 4.07 European Research Area in 1,7672⁄3 innings pitched. He enjoyed his best year for the 1965 Braves, with career highs in wins (24), strikeouts (211), European Research Area (329), complete games (16), innings (279) and games started (40).
Regarded as a tough fireball pitcher, Cloninger also was a dangerous power hitter.
He compiled a career batting average of.192, with 67 RBIs and 11 home runs, including five in the 1966 season. Cloninger became the first player in the National League, and the only pitcher to date, to hit two grand slams in the same game.
Cloninger finished his career pitching with Cincinnati and Saint Louis. He was forced to step down from the latter post when he underwent successful treatment for bladder cancer, which had been diagnosed in spring training.
In 2015, Cloninger began his twelfth consecutive season as a player development consultant for the Red Sox.
