Joe Zdeb
Encyclopedia
Joseph Zazzera Zdeb was a professional Major League Baseball
player with the Kansas City Royals
from 1977 to 1979.
Zdeb was drafted as the 4th pick of the Kansas City Royals in the 1971 amateur draft. Making his debut in 1977, Zdeb had a career high .297 batting average as a reliable part-time outfielder. His batting average fell to .252 in 1978 and .174 in 1979.
On January 15, 1980, Joseph Zazzera Zdeb was traded to the Chicago White Sox
for pitcher Eddie Bane
. He finished his professional career during that year with the White Sox AAA Iowa Oaks. Step brother John M. Zazzera was drafted by NY Met's but didn't play in MLB. Joe was known for his strong arm and hitting. He was known for his long hair and public statements to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn and Mr.Gorman.
"Mr. Gorman, if I cut my hair, will I become a better ballplayer?" - question posed by Joe Zdeb to Lou Gorman after being told that he couldn't play with long hair, as related in the book High and Inside, by Gorman
Zdeb played three years with the Kansas City Royals, hitting .297 as a rookie in 1977.
Zdeb's minor league career ran from 1971-1980. In 1973 he hit .355 at Waterloo in the Midwest League.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player with the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
from 1977 to 1979.
Zdeb was drafted as the 4th pick of the Kansas City Royals in the 1971 amateur draft. Making his debut in 1977, Zdeb had a career high .297 batting average as a reliable part-time outfielder. His batting average fell to .252 in 1978 and .174 in 1979.
On January 15, 1980, Joseph Zazzera Zdeb was traded to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for pitcher Eddie Bane
Eddie Bane
Edward Norman Bane is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1973 to 1976 with the Minnesota Twins. He is currently serving as a Major League Scout with the Detroit Tigers ....
. He finished his professional career during that year with the White Sox AAA Iowa Oaks. Step brother John M. Zazzera was drafted by NY Met's but didn't play in MLB. Joe was known for his strong arm and hitting. He was known for his long hair and public statements to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn and Mr.Gorman.
"Mr. Gorman, if I cut my hair, will I become a better ballplayer?" - question posed by Joe Zdeb to Lou Gorman after being told that he couldn't play with long hair, as related in the book High and Inside, by Gorman
Zdeb played three years with the Kansas City Royals, hitting .297 as a rookie in 1977.
Zdeb's minor league career ran from 1971-1980. In 1973 he hit .355 at Waterloo in the Midwest League.