buchek signed a $59,000 bonus contract with his hometown cardinals upon graduation from mckinley high school. he began his professional career as an 18-year-old at the highest levels of minor league baseball, splitting the 1960 season between double-a and triple-a. he got his first taste of major league action in june and spent part of with the cardinals before making the big league roster in and spending five consecutive full seasons in the majors.