Born in Dorris, California, he grew up in Chico, California where he played baseball at Chico Senior High School. He then played baseball at Santa Clara University (1961-1963) before signing with the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1963. He spent just one season in their farm system before joining the Cards in 1965.\n', '

Though used primarily as a starting pitcher in 1964 with the Tulsa Oilers, Briles pitched out of the bullpen upon his arrival in the majors. He was 1-2 with a 3.29 earned run average and one save as a relief pitcher when he made his first start on September 25 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Though he pitched well (seven innings, one earned run), he was out-pitched by Sandy Koufax, and lost his first major league start. He was far less effective in his next start (six earned runs in seven innings pitched), however managed to win that one thanks to the nineteen runs his Cardinals teammates put on the board.\n', '

Briles suffered through a hard luck 1966 season, going 4-15 despite a relatively modest 3.21 ERA. He was 4-3 with a 3.55 ERA and six saves in 1967 when an injury to Bob Gibson (a broken leg suffered at the hands of a Roberto Clemente line drive) forced him into the starting rotation. He lost two of his first three starts, but then won his last nine decisions to end the season at 14-5 with a National League leading .737 winning percentage (the Cardinals also won his two no-decisions during that stretch). His 2.43 ERA was also best on the Cardinals staff.\n', '

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