Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Alan Benes and his wife, Mary Beth, bought a four-bedroom, 3.5 bath in Town & Country at 754 Kraffel Lane for $730,000 from James and Sue Hutchins on Nov. 6.

The Hutchins paid $548,000 for the home in July 1997.

Phyllis Barr of Coldwell Banker Gundaker listed the 4,202 square foot home for $799,000.

Mr. Benes, an Evansville, Ind., native and younger brother of another former Cardinals hurler, Andy, spent the better part of eight major league seasons in the St. Louis organization.

He compiled a career record of 29-28 with 401 strikeouts and a 4.59 ERA before officially retiring last spring after struggling with injuries that past few seasons.

He's now a part of the Cardinals' front office team and served as a special assistant to former general manager Walt Jocketty and was a representative for the club at the 2007 First Year Player Draft in Orlando in June.

Alan Benes played at Creighton University and was part of the team's College World Series appearance in 1991.

Mr. and Mrs. Benes recently sold a home at 13005 Wheatfield Rd. in Town & Country.

The number of homes sold in Town & Country is down 19 percent so far this year versus last. The median home sale price, however, is up eight percent to $692,000. The increase gives Town & Country the third highest median sales price in St. Louis County behind Huntleigh and Ladue.

After a brief dip in 2000, the median home sales price has risen steadily in Town & Country since BlockShopper Metrics began tracking the data in 1999.

Address: 754 Kraffel Lane
Buyer(s): Alan P Benes Mary B Benes (and husband) (and wife)
Seller(s): James OHutchins Sue A Hutchins (and others)
Sale date: Nov. 6, 2007