Note: For a look at an All Star squad picked on the basis of <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n the ability to handle Nolan Ryan’s heat, click here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n We\u2019ll 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<\/em> Poland; and Art “Pinky” Deras – the Polish-American youngster acknowledged as the Best Little League Player Ever<\/em> (there\u2019s even a documentary about him).\u00a0 So, let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n —–THE BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE\u00a0 POLISH-AMERICAN ALL STAR TEAM—–\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Catcher \u2013 A.J. Pierzynski<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n _______________________________________<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you played against him, you hated him.\u00a0 If you played with him, you hated him a little less \u2026. He\u2019s worth the work because he always shows up for you.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Ozzie Guillen, Manager, Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n __________________________________<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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\u20193\u201d\/250-pound, left-handed hitter (right-handed thrower) played in 19 MLB seasons \u2013 for the Twins (1998-2003); Giants (2004); White Sox (2005-2012); Rangers (2013); Red Sox (2014); Cardinals (2014); and Braves (2015-16).<\/p>\n Pierzynski was a two-time All Star.\u00a0 He collected 2,043 hits in 2,059 games (for a .280 career average), hit 188 home runs and drove in 909.\u00a0 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).\u00a0 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). \u00a0Pierzynski was about as steady at the plate as you can get.\u00a0 For his career, he hit .280:<\/p>\n ______________________________________________________<\/p>\n First Base \u2013 Ted Kluszewski<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Kluszewski – a big man for his time at 6\u20192\u201d\/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 \u2013 exposing his bare arms from the shoulder.\u00a0 (This was considered a bold move at that very conforming time in the game\u2019s history.<\/em>)<\/p>\n Kluszewski only appeared in one post-season \u2013 hitting .391, with three homers and ten RBI in the 1958 World Series (for the White Sox).\u00a0 True to his form \u2013 Big Klu did not strike out even once (25 plate appearance) in the Series.<\/p>\n Big Klu was an Angel<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Taken by the Angels in the 1960 expansion draft, Kluszewski hit the first-ever home run for the expansion team (<\/strong>a two-run shot in the first inning of the Angels\u2019 first game \u2013 April 11 versus the Orioles). He added a punctuation mark, by hitting the Angels\u2019 second\u2013ever home run (a three-run shot<\/em>) the very next inning. The Angels won 7-2 and, of course, Kluszewski did not strikeout.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 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\u00a0 in four seasons and hit 40 or more long balls in three campaigns.\u00a0 His best season was 1954, when he hit .326-49-141.\u00a0 Ultimately, however, Big Klu is best remembered for those sleeveless jerseys, muscular arms and exceptional bat control.<\/p>\n _________________________________________<\/p>\n Second Base \u2013 Bill Mazeroski<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Bill Mazeroski is best remembered for two things \u2013 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 \u2013 which gave the Pirates a 10-9 win and an unlikely World Championship.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Bobby Richardson of the losing Yankees hit .367 and drove in 12 runs to win the Series MVP Award \u2013 still the only player on a losing team to take home the World Series MVP Trophy.<\/p>\n ____________________________________________________<\/p>\n Third Base \u2013 George Kurowksi<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 His determination is reflected in the fact that he made the major leagues as a third basemen \u2013 a position the demands a strong throwing arm. Arm problems most likely shortened his career. (The Society for American baseball Research reports Kurowski \u201cunderwent 13 operations on the arm so he could continue playing.<\/em>)<\/p>\n _________________________________________________<\/p>\n Shortstop \u2013 Alan Trammell<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 His best season was 1987, when Trammell hit .343, collected 205 hits, knocked 28 home runs, drove in 105 and scored 109.<\/p>\n Allen Trammell (SS) and Lou Whitaker (2B) played together for 19 seasons \u2013 MLB\u2019s longest every SS-2B teammates run.<\/span><\/p>\n ______________________________________________________________<\/p>\n Honorable Mention at Shortstop \u2013 Troy Tulowitzki<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 For his career, he is .290 (in 1,286 games), with 224 home runs and 779 RBI. \u00a0His 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Troy Tulowitzki \u2026 Rare Feats<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Troy Tulowitzki is one of only two players to both hit for the cycle and<\/em> turn an unassisted triple play (the other is John Valentin).<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n ____________________________________________________<\/p>\n Outfield \u2013 Stan Musial<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Stan Musial hit .347 in 1944 – missed the 1945 season due to military service – and came back to hit .365 in 1946.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 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.\u00a0 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\u00a0 total bases.<\/p>\n How good was Stan Musial?\u00a0 He was good enough to take your breath away.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong><\/em>Vin Scully<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n _____________________________________________<\/p>\n Outfield \u2013 Al Simmons (Szymanski)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Simmons played 20 MLB seasons (1924-41, 1943-44) and ended just 73 hits shy of 3,000 \u2013 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)<\/p>\n Simmons was a two-time batting champ, who hit over .300 in 13 seasons \u2013 and over .380 in four campaigns. The 5\u201911\u201d\/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.\u00a0 He hit 30 or more home runs in three seasons, drove in 100+ runs in 12 and scored 100 or more runs in six.\u00a0\u00a0 Simmons’ best season was 1930, when he hit .381, with\u00a0 36 home runs, 165 RBI and 152 runs scored.In the seven seasons from 1925 through 1931, Simmons averaged .372 (never hitting below .341).<\/p>\n Al Simmons holds the MLB record for hits in a season by a right-handed batter \u2013 253 in 1925, when he hit .387\u00a0 at age 23, in (in just his second MLB season.)<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n __________________________________________________________<\/p>\n Outfield – Carl Yastrzemski<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 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\u2019s top ten (career) in games played, at bats, hits, total bases, doubles and walks. Side Note:<\/strong><\/p>\n I have my own memories of Yaz.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 All Yaz did was go 7-for-8 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and six RBI.\u00a0 Ouch-ski!<\/em><\/p>\n _____________________________________________________<\/p>\n RH Starting Pitcher \u2013 Phil Niekro<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Niekro led the National League in wins in 1974 (20) and 1979 (21)\u00a0 He was also the league leader once each in earned run average (1.87), winning percentage (17-4, .810 in 1982 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Phil Niekro Trivia …<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Phil Niekro is the last MLB pitcher to lead his league in both wins and losses in the same season \u2013 going 21-20, 3.39 in 1979.\u00a0 That season, he also led the league in starts (44), complete games (23) and innings pitched (342).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 1979, Phil and Joe Niekro tied to the NL lead in victories with 21 each.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On May 29, 1976, Joe Niekro hit the only home run of\u00a0his 22-season (1,165 plate appearances) MLB career.\u00a0 The opposing pitcher? His brother Phil.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On August 5, 1973, Phil Niekro threw the first no hitter for the \u201cAtlanta\u201d Braves \u2013 defeating the San Diego Padres 9-0.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n ____________________________________________<\/p>\n LH Starting Pitcher \u2013 Ed Lopat (Lopatynski)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The 5\u201910\u2019\/180-pound southpaw was an All Star with the Yankees in 1933, when he went 21-9, 2.91 (his only 20-win season \u2013 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).<\/p>\n In seven World Series starts, all with the Yankees, Lopat went 4-1, 2.60 with three complete games.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n ______________________________________________________<\/p>\n RH Reliever \u2013 Jim Konstanty<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In his eleven MLB seasons, the 6\u20191\u201d\/202-pound righty went 66-48, 3.46 and saved 76 games (152 innings pitched in relief).\u00a0 By the way, James was Konstanty’s middle name \u2013 his first name was Casimir.<\/p>\n A Man for All Seasons …<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In his senior year in high school, Jim Konstanty was captain of the Arcade High School basketball, baseball and football teams.\u00a0 Then, at Syracuse University, he lettered in baseball, basketball, soccer and boxing.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n _______________________________________________<\/p>\n LH Reliever \u2013 Ron Perranoski<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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 \u2013 picking up 16 wins (three losses) and 21 saves, all in relief. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Add in his 1.67 earned run average and it is clearly his best season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ————————-A COUPLE OF SPECIAL MENTIONS ———————<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Moe Drabowsky \u2013 Best Polish-Born Major Leaguer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The 6\u20193\u201d\/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.\u00a0 From 1960-72, he went 59-65, 3.66, with 54 saves (421 appearances in relief, 71 starts).<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 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).<\/p>\n Moe Drabowsky, a member of the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame (NPASHOF), gave up the 3,000th<\/sup> hit of Stan Musial (another NPASHOF\u00a0inductee).<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n ____________________________________________<\/p>\n Art \u201cPinky Deras \u2013 Best-Ever Little Leaguer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ______________________________________________________<\/p>\n Primary resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Society for American Baseball Research; National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ON THE TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"PlayersNew\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/PlayersNew.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"AJ](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/AJ-One-211x300.jpg\")
<\/a>I\u2019ve got a special spot in my heart for the catcher on my All Polish-American squad \u2013 a hard-nosed player who started his MLB career with my Minnesota Twins.\u00a0 A.J. Pierzynski<\/strong> <\/em>was a consistent and quality performer who always came to win<\/p>\n![\"A.J.\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/A.J..jpg\")
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![\"Klu\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Klu-208x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Ted \u201cBig Klu\u201d Kluszewski<\/strong><\/em> was a rare breed – a true power hitter who also practiced exceptional plate discipline.\u00a0 In 1954, for example, Kluszewski hit .326, with 49 home runs and 141 RBI \u2013 a season made even more remarkable by the fact he struck out only 35 times (versus 78 walks). I doubt if we\u2019ll ever see another player top 40 home runs without reaching 40 whiffs.\u00a0 Kluszewski, in fact, had a streak of four seasons (1953-56) when he hit over .300, drove in 100+ runs, bashed 35+ home runs \u2013 and struck out no more than 40 times in any season.\u00a0 In those four seasons, Kluszewski hit 171 home runs \u2013 and fanned 140 times (average 43 HR\u2019s 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.\u00a0 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);\u00a0 and Angels (1961).<\/p>\n![\"Klu\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Klu-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Mazpic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Mazpic-300x210.jpg\")
<\/a>Considered the best fielding second baseman of all time by many, Bill Mazeroski<\/strong> was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.He played 17 MLB seasons \u2013 all with the Pirates \u2013 hitting .260, with 138 home runs and 853 RBI.\u00a0 It was, however, his glove the earned him a spot on this squad. \u201cMaz\u201d was a seven-time All Star and an eight-time Gold Glover at the keystone sack.\u00a0 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\u201911\u201d\/183-pound right-hander’s best season at the plate was probably 1962, when he hit .271, with 14 home runs and 81 RBI.<\/p>\n![\"Maz\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Maz.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"whitgeypic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/whitgeypic-244x300.jpg\")
<\/a>George “Whitey” Kurowski<\/strong><\/em> played in nine MLB seasons (1941-49), all for the Cardinals. \u00a0\u00a0In 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n![\"Whitey\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Whitey.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Trampic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Trampic-207x300.jpg\")
<\/a>The shortstop selection for this team – Alan Trammell<\/strong><\/em> – was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.\u00a0 The 6\u2019\/165-pound Trammell (a right-hander) was a Tigers’ second round draft pick right out of high school in 1976.\u00a0 He made his MLB debut in September of 1977 and went on to play 20 MLB seasons \u2013 all for the Tigers.<\/p>\n![\"Trammell\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Trammell.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"stanpic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/stanpic.jpg\")
<\/a>You can\u2019t go wrong with Stan \u201cThe Man\u201d Musial<\/strong> <\/em>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).<\/p>\n![\"Stan\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Stan.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"simmonspic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/simmonspic-209x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Al Simmons<\/em><\/strong> is the second Hall of Famer in our Polish-American All Star outfield \u2013 and he put up Musial-like numbers (Musial-lite?).\u00a0 However, Simmons did not enjoy as notable a nickname as \u201cStan the Man.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Due to his unusual batting style (front foot pointed toward third base), he became known as \u201cBucketfoot Al.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0(Note: It\u2019s reported Simmons went with Simmons over Szymanski because of the difficulty people had pronouncing Szymanski.)<\/p>\n![\"Yazpic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Yazpic-213x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Carl Yastrzemski<\/strong> <\/em>enjoyed a 23-season MLB career (1961-83) \u2013 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\u2019s Triple Crown \u2013 Avg.-HR-RBI).<\/p>\n![\"Yaz\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Yaz.jpg\")
<\/a>In 1968 \u2013 known in baseball lore as \u201cThe Year of the Pitcher\u201d \u2013 Carl Yastrzemski won the American League batting title with a .301 average\u00a0 – the lowest ever for a league leaders.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Niekropic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Niekropic-300x211.jpg\")
<\/a>Phil Niekro<\/strong> <\/em>spent 24 seasons on the MLB mound: Braves (1964-83, 1987); Yankees (1984-85); Indians (1986-87); Blue Jays (1987).\u00a0 During that time, Niekro earned 318 wins (16th<\/sup> all time) versus 274 losses \u2013 and put up a 3.35 ERA.\u00a0 The 6\u20191\u201d\/180-pound knuckleballer won 20 or more games three times and 15 or more in 13 seasons.\u00a0 His nickname was “Knucksie,” but I would have preferred “Knuck-ski.”<\/p>\n![\"Niekro\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Niekro.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Lopatpic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Lopatpic-216x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Eddie Lopat<\/strong> <\/em>pitched in 12 MLB seasons – for the White Sox (1944-47), Yankees (1948-55) and Orioles (1955).\u00a0 He went 166-112, with a 3.21 earned run average.\u00a0 It\u2019s reported that Eddie used Lopat over Lopatynski because the latter did not fit into a box score.\u00a0 Lopat also picked up the nickname \u201cThe Junkman,” because of his ability to both change speeds and deliver a wide range of breaking pitches.<\/p>\n![\"Lopat\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Lopat.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"JimKpic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/JimKpic.jpg\")
<\/a>Jim Konstanty<\/strong><\/em> 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n![\"Konstsanty\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Konstsanty.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"RonPpic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/RonPpic-204x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Ron Perranoski<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 a 6\u2019\/180-pound southpaw \u2013 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).<\/p>\n![\"Perrastats\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Perrastats.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Moepic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Moepic-212x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Miroslav Drabowsky was born in Ozano, Poland on July 21, 1935, to a Jewish (American citizen) mother and a Polish father.\u00a0 His family moved to the United Stars in the late 1930\u2019s, as Adolf Hitler was gaining momentum in Eastern Europe.\u00a0 Growing up in Connecticut, Drabowsky played high school baseball at Loomis Chaffee School and college baseball at Trinity College in Hartford.\u00a0 He signed with the Cubs in July of 1956 and made his MLB debut on August 7 of that year (at age 21).<\/p>\n![\"Pinkypic\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Pinkypic.jpg\")
<\/a>Art \u201cPinky\u201d Deras<\/strong><\/em> was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame\u00a0 in 2011 \u2013 recognizing his exploits as a 12-year-old Little Leaguer\u00a0 – leading the Hamtramck, Michigan team to the 1958 Little League National\u00a0 Championship.\u00a0 \u00a0Now, Deras was big for his age, six-feet tall and 135 pounds as a 12-year-old.\u00a0 He was also a dominant force \u2013 going 18-0 on the mound (16 shutouts and ten no-hitters) and whiffing 298 batters in 108 innings.\u00a0 That means 92 percent of his outs came via the strikeout.\u00a0 He also hit a resounding .641, with 33 home runs and 112 RBI.<\/p>\n![\"100\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/100-1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 1oo Baseball Blogs.\u00a0 To see the full list, click\u00a0here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nI tweet baseball @DavidBBRT<\/h3>\n