Baseball Roundtable

Spring Training gets the old baseball memory banks running and here’s a coupe – the first one from seven years as a day ago.

To Bee or Not to Bee

It was March 4, 2012, and the Giants were taking on the Diamondbacks at Salt River Field in Scottsdale, Arizona. An SRF record (sold-out) crowd of 12,568 was on hand for the contest – on what would turn out to be a memorable afternoon for all those involved.

Ian Kennedy was on the mound for the D-backs in the top of the second inning of a scoreless contest (there were runners on second and third and one out).  It was then that a dark and buzzing cloud appeared in right-center field.  Center fielder Chris Young recognized it quickly as a swarm of bees and made his way to the relative safety of left field.  (“I didn’t see them at first, I just heard them,” Young would say later, indicating the size of the swarm precipitate his retreat.)  The bees took a turn toward the right field line, then traveled toward the infield before settling in a camera well near the Giants’ dugout.  Two sections of fans in the area were evacuated and play had to bee suspended.

Making Bee-utiful Music

As the grounds crew worked to lure the swarming bees away from the game, the stadium operations staff piped in the Beatles “Let it Be” for the entertainment of the fans.

The grounds crew surveyed the situation and came up with one sweet plan to lure the intruders away from the field and “save” the game – drawing the swarm to a pair of utility carts liberally smeared with lemonade and cotton candy.  It worked and, after a 41-minute delay, play resumed.

By the way, the Giants eventually racked up 21 hits and won the game 11-1. Not sure who got the win, but the grounds crew – relying on a combination of lemonade and cotton candy – got the save.

Here’s another different kind of memory that BBRT finds equally sweet.

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Hot Damon – Nearly a Cycle … in the First Inning

On June 27, 2003, Johnny Damon was playing CF and leading off for the Red Sox – as they took on the Marlins in Boston.  In a start that brought Boston fans up out of their seats, Damon was three-fourths of the way to the cycle before the first inning was over.  (Ironically, he also hit the ball on which the final out of the frame was made).

Johnny Damon, notched three hits (a single, double and triple) in one inning for the Red Sox.

On June 27, 2003, Johnny Damon became just the fifth player (only the second since 1900 and the first since 1953) to collect three hits in an inning.  He accomplished the feat in the first inning of a 25-8 Red Sox win over the Marlins. If this kind of fact interests you, each of the four other players to achieve a three-hit frame did it in the seventh inning.

Damon who collected a single, double and triple in the bottom of the first, ended the game five-for-seven, with three runs scored, three RBI, a double, a triple and three singles.  He, unfortunately, did not get the cycle.

Here’s how that first inning went:

Johnny Damon – Double past first base down the line.  (off starter Carl Pavano)

Todd Walker – single, Damon scores.

Nomar Garciaparra – Double.

Manny Ramirez – Home run, scoring three.

David Ortiz – Double.

Kevin Millar – Single, Ortiz scores.

                   Michael Tejera replaces Pavano on the mound.

Trot Nixon – Single.

Bill Mueller – Walk, loading the bases.

Jason Varitek – Single, Millar and Nixon score.

Damon – Triple to deep right field, Mueller and Varitek score.

Walker – Single, Damon scores.

         Allen Levrault takes over for Tejera – at this point, we’ve seen two pitchers, 11 batters, ten hits, one walk, nine runs and no outs.

Garciaparra – Foul pop out.

Ramirez – Single.

Ortiz – Walk, loading the bases.

Millar – Sacrifice fly, scoring Walker.

Nixon – Walk, loading the bases.

Mueller – Double, scoring Ramirez and Ortiz.

Varitek – Walk.

Damon – Line drive single to left, Nixon score, Mueller thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

Red Sox score 14 runs on 13 hits and four walks; Damon collects a single, double and triple.

Primary Resource:  FoxSports.com; NBCSports.com; Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com.

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If are Milwaukee-born (particularly into the Karpinski family), you are very likely to be a baseball fan and proud of your Polish heritage.  (I learned a great deal about both from my Aunt Irene.)  With that in mind, this post will be dedicated to my personally selected Polish-American MLB All Star squad – one player at each position in the field, two starting pitchers (a lefty and a righty) and two relievers (again, a right-hander  and a southpaw).

The team I came up with looks pretty competitive. The twelve players played a combined 204 major leagues seasons (none fewer than nine). The lineup includes six MLB Hall of Famers.  Together, this dozen major leaguers garnered 79 All Star selections, 24 Gold Gloves and 12 batting titles.  They also can point to four Most Valuable Player Awards and one Triple Crown. In addition, eleven of the twelve have been inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan.

Note: For a look at an All Star squad picked on the basis of

the ability to handle Nolan Ryan’s heat, click here. 

We’ll go through the All Star Squad first, but there are a couple of special mentions (detailed at the end of the post): 1) Moe Drabowsky – The best-ever major leaguer actually born in Poland; and Art “Pinky” Deras – the Polish-American youngster acknowledged as the Best Little League Player Ever (there’s even a documentary about him).  So, let’s get to it.

—–THE BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE  POLISH-AMERICAN ALL STAR TEAM—– 

Catcher – A.J. Pierzynski

I’ve got a special spot in my heart for the catcher on my All Polish-American squad – a hard-nosed player who started his MLB career with my Minnesota Twins.  A.J. Pierzynski was a consistent and quality performer who always came to win

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If you played against him, you hated him.  If you played with him, you hated him a little less …. He’s worth the work because he always shows up for you.”

                                           Ozzie Guillen, Manager, Chicago White Sox

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Pierzynski, signed by the Twins out of high school in 1994, made his MLB debut with Minnesota (as a 21-year-old) in 1998. The 6’3”/250-pound, left-handed hitter (right-handed thrower) played in 19 MLB seasons – for the Twins (1998-2003); Giants (2004); White Sox (2005-2012); Rangers (2013); Red Sox (2014); Cardinals (2014); and Braves (2015-16).

Pierzynski was a two-time All Star.  He collected 2,043 hits in 2,059 games (for a .280 career average), hit 188 home runs and drove in 909.  His best season came with the Twins in 2003, when he hit .312, with 11 home runs and 74 RBI (although he did hit a career-high 27 home runs for the White Sox in 2012).  He ranks eighth all time in games played at catcher. He holds the AL record for most consecutive games (by a catcher) in a season without an error at 117 in 2005 (tied with Buddy Rosar, Athletics, 1946).  Pierzynski was about as steady at the plate as you can get.  For his career, he hit .280:

• .283 at home – .277 on the road
• .282 in the first-half of the season; .278 in the second half.
• .287 with runners on base; .287 with runners in scoring position; .275 with the bases empty.

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First Base – Ted Kluszewski

Ted “Big Klu” Kluszewski was a rare breed – a true power hitter who also practiced exceptional plate discipline.  In 1954, for example, Kluszewski hit .326, with 49 home runs and 141 RBI – a season made even more remarkable by the fact he struck out only 35 times (versus 78 walks). I doubt if we’ll ever see another player top 40 home runs without reaching 40 whiffs.  Kluszewski, in fact, had a streak of four seasons (1953-56) when he hit over .300, drove in 100+ runs, bashed 35+ home runs – and struck out no more than 40 times in any season.  In those four seasons, Kluszewski hit 171 home runs – and fanned 140 times (average 43 HR’s and 35 whiffs a season). It should also be noted that Kluszewski led NL first baseman in fielding percentage every year from 1951 through 1955.  Unfortunately, a back injury in 1956 hampered his performance in the later years of his career (he played until 1961). He played for the Reds (1947-1957); Pirates (1958-59); White Sox (1959-60);  and Angels (1961).

Kluszewski – a big man for his time at 6’2”/225-pounds – is also noted for adding a bit of flair to the game, making his own intimidating fashion statement. Big Klu complained that his uniform jersey was too tight for his large and powerful biceps. He went on to have the sleeves cut from his jersey – exposing his bare arms from the shoulder.  (This was considered a bold move at that very conforming time in the game’s history.)

Kluszewski only appeared in one post-season – hitting .391, with three homers and ten RBI in the 1958 World Series (for the White Sox).  True to his form – Big Klu did not strike out even once (25 plate appearance) in the Series.

Big Klu was an Angel

Taken by the Angels in the 1960 expansion draft, Kluszewski hit the first-ever home run for the expansion team (a two-run shot in the first inning of the Angels’ first game – April 11 versus the Orioles). He added a punctuation mark, by hitting the Angels’ second–ever home run (a three-run shot) the very next inning. The Angels won 7-2 and, of course, Kluszewski did not strikeout.

The big left-hander hit .298 over his 15-season MLB career, with 279 home runs and 1,028 RBI. The four-time All Star topped .300 in seven seasons, drove in 100+ runs  in four seasons and hit 40 or more long balls in three campaigns.  His best season was 1954, when he hit .326-49-141.  Ultimately, however, Big Klu is best remembered for those sleeveless jerseys, muscular arms and exceptional bat control.

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Second Base – Bill Mazeroski

Considered the best fielding second baseman of all time by many, Bill Mazeroski was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.He played 17 MLB seasons – all with the Pirates – hitting .260, with 138 home runs and 853 RBI.  It was, however, his glove the earned him a spot on this squad. “Maz” was a seven-time All Star and an eight-time Gold Glover at the keystone sack.  He led NL second baseman in assists nine times, putouts five times and double plays turned eight times. (He is the all-time career leader in double plays by a second baseman, fifth in assists, seventh in puts and tenth in games played at the two-bag. The 5’11”/183-pound right-hander’s best season at the plate was probably 1962, when he hit .271, with 14 home runs and 81 RBI.

Bill Mazeroski is best remembered for two things – his unmatched skill at turning the double play and his walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game Seven of the 1960 World Series – which gave the Pirates a 10-9 win and an unlikely World Championship.  In the Series, the Yankees outhit the Pirates .338 to .256, out-homered the Pirates 10 to four and outscored Pittsburgh 55 to 27. Mazeroski hit .320 in the seven-game set, smacked two of the Pirates’ four home runs and drove in five tallies.  Bobby Richardson of the losing Yankees hit .367 and drove in 12 runs to win the Series MVP Award – still the only player on a losing team to take home the World Series MVP Trophy.

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Third Base – George Kurowksi

George “Whitey” Kurowski played in nine MLB seasons (1941-49), all for the Cardinals.   In the six seasons that he played at least 100 games, he was an All Star four times. In the three seasons from 1945 to 1947, Kurowski hit .311, with 62 home runs and 295 RBI.  For his career, he hit .286 (in 916 games), with 106 home runs and 529 RBI. He led NL third baseman in putouts in three seasons, as well as in assists and doubles plays once each. He finished in the top ten in home runs in the league five times, RBI four times and batting average three times. His best season was 1947, when he hit .310, with 27 home runs, 104 RBI and 108 runs scored.

Whitey Kurowski had to overcome the effects of a childhood injury and osteomyelitis in his right (throwing) arm in his quest to reach the major leagues. The surgery required to save his arm left his right wing about three inches inches shorter than his left.  His determination is reflected in the fact that he made the major leagues as a third basemen – a position the demands a strong throwing arm. Arm problems most likely shortened his career. (The Society for American baseball Research reports Kurowski “underwent 13 operations on the arm so he could continue playing.)

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Shortstop – Alan Trammell

The shortstop selection for this team – Alan Trammell – was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.  The 6’/165-pound Trammell (a right-hander) was a Tigers’ second round draft pick right out of high school in 1976.  He made his MLB debut in September of 1977 and went on to play 20 MLB seasons – all for the Tigers.

Trammell was a six-time All Star and a four-time Gold Glover. Over his career, he collected 2,365 hits (.285 average), with 185 home runs, 1,003 RBI, 1,231 runs scored and 236 stolen bases.  He hit over .300 seven times (a high of .343 in 1987), hit 20 or more home runs twice, scored 100+ runs in three seasons and stole 20 or more bases three times.  His best season was 1987, when Trammell hit .343, collected 205 hits, knocked 28 home runs, drove in 105 and scored 109.

Allen Trammell (SS) and Lou Whitaker (2B) played together for 19 seasons – MLB’s longest every SS-2B teammates run.

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Honorable Mention at Shortstop – Troy Tulowitzki

Troy Trevor Tulowitzki earns honorable mention here with his glove (a two-time gold Glover) and bat (topping 20 home runs in seven of 12 MLB seasons). Still active, “Tulo” may someday take Alan Trammell’s spot in this lineup.  Tulowitzki has played for the Rockies (2006-2015) and Blue Jays (2016-17). He missed the 2018 season (ankle surgery) and signed with the Yankees for 2019.

Tulowitzki is a five-time All Star, whose best season was 2014, when he hit .340 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI for the Rockies.  For his career, he is .290 (in 1,286 games), with 224 home runs and 779 RBI.  His numbers would be even stronger if not for the injury bug. His past injuries include: a torn left quadriceps, fractured wrist, groin surgery, fractured rib, hip surgery, cracked shoulder blade.

Troy Tulowitzki … Rare Feats

Troy Tulowitzki is one of only two players to both hit for the cycle and turn an unassisted triple play (the other is John Valentin).

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Outfield – Stan Musial

You can’t go wrong with Stan “The Man” Musial on your team. One of the greatest players in MLB history (inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1960), Musial played 22 MLB seasons (all for the Cardinals) between 1941 and 1963 (he missed 1945 to military service).

Musial was an All Star in 20 of his 22 seasons and a three-time NL Most Valuable Player. He won seven batting titles and led the NL in hits six times, runs scored five times, RBI two times, doubles eight times and triples five times. He also topped the NL in total bases, on base percentage and slugging percentage six times each.

Stan Musial hit .347 in 1944 – missed the 1945 season due to military service – and came back to hit .365 in 1946. 

Musial hit over .300 in 17 full seasons and over .350 in five campaigns (a high of .376 in 1948). He topped 20 home runs ten times, with a high of 39 in 1948. He also hit 50 or more doubles twice, 20 triples twice, had 200 or more hits in six seasons, 100+ RBI in ten seasons and 100+ runs scored in 11.  For his career, Musial had 3,630 hits (.331 average), 475 home runs and 1,951 RBI. and 1,949 runs scored. He is in MLB’s top ten all time in games played, hits, runs scored, runs batted in, doubles and  total bases.

How good was Stan Musial?  He was good enough to take your breath away.

                                                                                              Vin Scully

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Outfield – Al Simmons (Szymanski)

Al Simmons is the second Hall of Famer in our Polish-American All Star outfield – and he put up Musial-like numbers (Musial-lite?).  However, Simmons did not enjoy as notable a nickname as “Stan the Man.”   Due to his unusual batting style (front foot pointed toward third base), he became known as “Bucketfoot Al.”   (Note: It’s reported Simmons went with Simmons over Szymanski because of the difficulty people had pronouncing Szymanski.)

Simmons played 20 MLB seasons (1924-41, 1943-44) and ended just 73 hits shy of 3,000 – with a .334 career average and 307 home runs. Simmons played for the Athletics (1924-32, 1940-41, 1944), White Sox (1933-35); Tigers (1936), Senators (1937-38), Braves (1939), Reds (1939) Red Sox 1943)

Simmons was a two-time batting champ, who hit over .300 in 13 seasons – and over .380 in four campaigns. The 5’11”/190-pound righty also led his league in hits twice, and had 200 or more hits six times. In addition, he led his league in runs scored once, and RBI once.  He hit 30 or more home runs in three seasons, drove in 100+ runs in 12 and scored 100 or more runs in six.   Simmons’ best season was 1930, when he hit .381, with  36 home runs, 165 RBI and 152 runs scored.In the seven seasons from 1925 through 1931, Simmons averaged .372 (never hitting below .341).

Al Simmons holds the MLB record for hits in a season by a right-handed batter – 253 in 1925, when he hit .387  at age 23, in (in just his second MLB season.)

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Outfield – Carl Yastrzemski

Carl Yastrzemski enjoyed a 23-season MLB career (1961-83) – all with the Boston Red Sox. The Baseball Hall of Famer was an All Star in 18 seasons, a seven-time Gold Glover and the 1967 AL Most Valuable Player (when he won the batter’s Triple Crown – Avg.-HR-RBI).

Yastrzemski was a three-time batting champ and topped .300 in six seasons. He had 100+ RBI in five campaigns, 100+ runs scored in three and 40 or more home runs in three. He led the AL in runs scored three times, doubles three times, hits twice and home runs and RBI once each.  His best year was 1967, when he won the AL Triple Crown with a .326-44-121 stat line. Yaz finished his career with 3,419 hits (.285 average), 452 long balls and 1,944 RBI. He also hit .369-4-11 in 17 post-season contests. He is among MLB’s top ten (career) in games played, at bats, hits, total bases, doubles and walks.In 1968 – known in baseball lore as “The Year of the Pitcher” – Carl Yastrzemski won the American League batting title with a .301 average  – the lowest ever for a league leaders.

Side Note:

I have my own memories of Yaz.  With two games left in the 1967 season, my Twins went into Boston with a one-game lead over the Red Sox and lost two games (and the pennant) to Boston by scores of 6-4 and 5-3.  All Yaz did was go 7-for-8 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and six RBI.  Ouch-ski!

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RH Starting Pitcher – Phil Niekro

Phil Niekro spent 24 seasons on the MLB mound: Braves (1964-83, 1987); Yankees (1984-85); Indians (1986-87); Blue Jays (1987).  During that time, Niekro earned 318 wins (16^th all time) versus 274 losses – and put up a 3.35 ERA.  The 6’1”/180-pound knuckleballer won 20 or more games three times and 15 or more in 13 seasons.  His nickname was “Knucksie,” but I would have preferred “Knuck-ski.”

Niekro led the National League in wins in 1974 (20) and 1979 (21)  He was also the league leader once each in earned run average (1.87), winning percentage (17-4, .810 in 1982 – at age 43) and strikeouts (262 in 1977). Working with the tireless ease of a knuckleballer, he also led the NL four times each in games started, complete games and inning pitched. Niekro’s best season was 1974, when he went 20-13, 2.38 – leading the NL in wins, complete games (18) and innings pitched 302 1/3.

Phil Niekro Trivia …

Phil Niekro is the last MLB pitcher to lead his league in both wins and losses in the same season – going 21-20, 3.39 in 1979.  That season, he also led the league in starts (44), complete games (23) and innings pitched (342).

Phil Niekro and his brother Joe Niekro hold the record for the most MLB wins by brothers, with 539. Phil went 318-274, while Joe went 221-204.

In 1979, Phil and Joe Niekro tied to the NL lead in victories with 21 each.

On May 29, 1976, Joe Niekro hit the only home run of his 22-season (1,165 plate appearances) MLB career.  The opposing pitcher? His brother Phil.

On August 5, 1973, Phil Niekro threw the first no hitter for the “Atlanta” Braves – defeating the San Diego Padres 9-0.

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LH Starting Pitcher – Ed Lopat (Lopatynski)

Eddie Lopat pitched in 12 MLB seasons – for the White Sox (1944-47), Yankees (1948-55) and Orioles (1955).  He went 166-112, with a 3.21 earned run average.  It’s reported that Eddie used Lopat over Lopatynski because the latter did not fit into a box score.  Lopat also picked up the nickname “The Junkman,” because of his ability to both change speeds and deliver a wide range of breaking pitches.

The 5’10’/180-pound southpaw was an All Star with the Yankees in 1933, when he went 21-9, 2.91 (his only 20-win season – although from 1947 through 1953, he won 15 or more games in six of seven seasons). In 1953, again with the Yankees, Lopat went 16-4 and led the American League in winning percentage (.800) and ERA (2.42).

In seven World Series starts, all with the Yankees, Lopat went 4-1, 2.60 with three complete games.

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RH Reliever – Jim Konstanty

Jim Konstanty has the distinction of being the first MLB relief pitcher to win a league MVP Award. He accomplished the feat in 1950, when he was called on in relief a league-leading 74 times by the Phillies. Konstanty won 16 games (seven losses) and led the league with 22 saves.  That season, the Phillies won the NL pennant with a 91-63 record – which means Konstanty won or saved 42 percent of Philadelphia’s wins.

In his eleven MLB seasons, the 6’1”/202-pound righty went 66-48, 3.46 and saved 76 games (152 innings pitched in relief).  By the way, James was Konstanty’s middle name – his first name was Casimir.

A Man for All Seasons …

In his senior year in high school, Jim Konstanty was captain of the Arcade High School basketball, baseball and football teams.  Then, at Syracuse University, he lettered in baseball, basketball, soccer and boxing.

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LH Reliever – Ron Perranoski

Ron Perranoski – a 6’/180-pound southpaw – went 79-74, 2.79 with 178 saves in 13 MLB seasons. He played for the Dodgers (1961-67, 1972); Twins (1968-71); Tigers (1971-72); and Angels (1973).

Perranoski led his league in games pitched in three seasons and games saved twice (with a high of 34 saves for the 1974 Twins). In 1963, he led the NL in winning percentage at .842 – picking up 16 wins (three losses) and 21 saves, all in relief.    Add in his 1.67 earned run average and it is clearly his best season.

————————-A COUPLE OF SPECIAL MENTIONS ———————

Moe Drabowsky – Best Polish-Born Major Leaguer

Miroslav Drabowsky was born in Ozano, Poland on July 21, 1935, to a Jewish (American citizen) mother and a Polish father.  His family moved to the United Stars in the late 1930’s, as Adolf Hitler was gaining momentum in Eastern Europe.  Growing up in Connecticut, Drabowsky played high school baseball at Loomis Chaffee School and college baseball at Trinity College in Hartford.  He signed with the Cubs in July of 1956 and made his MLB debut on August 7 of that year (at age 21).

The 6’3”/190-pound righty was a starter his first four seasons, going 29-40, 3.81, with 22 complete games in 83 starts. Drabowsky switched to the bullpen in 1960 (seven starts in 32 appearances) and made a name for himself coming in from the pen.  From 1960-72, he went 59-65, 3.66, with 54 saves (421 appearances in relief, 71 starts).

In 17 MLB seasons, Drabowsky went 88-105, 3.71 with 54 saves. He struck out 1,162 batters (702 walks) in 1,641 innings.  Drabowsky pitched for the Cubs (1956-60); Braves (1961); Reds (1962); Athletics (1962-65); Orioles (1966-68, 1970); Royals (1969-70); Cardinals (1971-72); and White Sox (1972).

Moe Drabowsky, a member of the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame (NPASHOF), gave up the 3,000^th hit of Stan Musial (another NPASHOF inductee).

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Art “Pinky Deras – Best-Ever Little Leaguer

Art “Pinky” Deras was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame  in 2011 – recognizing his exploits as a 12-year-old Little Leaguer  – leading the Hamtramck, Michigan team to the 1958 Little League National  Championship.   Now, Deras was big for his age, six-feet tall and 135 pounds as a 12-year-old.  He was also a dominant force – going 18-0 on the mound (16 shutouts and ten no-hitters) and whiffing 298 batters in 108 innings.  That means 92 percent of his outs came via the strikeout.  He also hit a resounding .641, with 33 home runs and 112 RBI.

Deras signed a contract with the Cardinals right out of high school, declining of football scholarship to Michigan State. He played five minor league seasons, hitting .243, with 32 home runs in 518 games. He did not pitch in professionally ranks.

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Primary resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Society for American Baseball Research; National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. 

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