This feat was equaled 62 years later on April 6, 2016, when Jeremy Hazelbaker also hit two home runs in his first four games.

[1] Cunningham was traded from the Cardinals to the Chicago White Sox after the 1961 season in exchange for long-time star Minnie Miñoso.

[1] Although his first season as the White Sox first baseman was successful,[1] Cunningham would never fully recover from a broken collarbone suffered in a collision on June 3, 1963.

[10] After retiring as a player, Cunningham returned to the Redbirds and managed in their farm system at the Class A level from 1968 to 1971.

He was also influential in starting up team programs such as community nights and high school games at Busch Memorial Stadium.

In recognition of his work for the franchise, the Cardinals dedicated a new section of Busch Stadium as "Cunningham Corner" in 2015.

[4][2] One of their two sons, Joe III, played in the minor leagues from 1984 to 1988 and also worked as a batting instructor and manager in the Cardinals' farm system.