Sam Zoldak
Encyclopedia
Samuel Walter Zoldak was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for nine seasons. He was nicknamed "Sad Sam". He played for the St. Louis Browns
from 1944 to 1948, the Cleveland Indians
from 1948 to 1950, and the Philadelphia Athletics from 1951 to 1952.
, and was signed by Connie Mack
and the Philadelphia Athletics before the season.
for Frankie Hayes
. Zoldak was used as a reliever his first season, pitching in 18 games and earning an ERA
of 3.72. He played in 26 games during the season, earning a 3-2 record with an ERA of 3.36. In the following two seasons, the Browns decided to use him as a starter. He started 21 and 19 games, respectively, in the and seasons, and finished with record of 9-11 and 9-10. He also continued to maintain a consistent ERA, finishing both seasons with ERAs of 3.43 and 3.47, respectively. After starting the 1948 season with the Browns, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians
, who were in the middle of a pennant race. Zoldak was traded on June 15, 1948 for Bill Kennedy
and $100,000.
For the Cleveland Indians, he served both as a reliever
and a fifth starting pitcher
. During his season with the Indians, he went 9-6 with a 2.81 ERA in 23 games. That same season, he tossed a shutout against his former team, and won both games of a doubleheader while pitching in relief against the Detroit Tigers
. His pitching effort led to the Indians winning the 1948 World Series
. Zoldak spent the next two seasons in the bullpen, throwing 4 saves in 1950. During the 1949 season, Sam managed to hit his only career homer. On July 27, 1949, the Indians played the New York Yankees
. Zoldak hit a home run in the third inning off Ed Lopat. However, the game was rained out, and the only home run of Zoldak's career was erased.
Just before the 1951 season started, Zoldak was part of a three-way trade. On April 30, 1951, he was traded to the Philadelphia Athletics along with Ray Murray in a trade that also involved the Chicago White Sox
. Zoldak played the season for the Athletics after having originally been signed by the team ten years ago by Connie Mack. Ironically, Mack retired from managing in , the year before Zoldak joined the Major League roster. Zoldak pitched for the Athletics for two seasons, and was used primarily as a starter, starting 28 of the 42 games he pitched for them. On July 13, 1951, Zoldak pitched a one-hitter against the Chicago White Sox. After being released by the Athletics on February 2, 1953, he retired.
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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for nine seasons. He was nicknamed "Sad Sam". He played for the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
from 1944 to 1948, the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
from 1948 to 1950, and the Philadelphia Athletics from 1951 to 1952.
Early life
He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He played college baseball at Fordham UniversityFordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
, and was signed by Connie Mack
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
and the Philadelphia Athletics before the season.
Professional career
However, on February 17, 1944, before playing a game with Philadelphia, Zoldak was traded along with Barney Lutz to the St. Louis BrownsBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Frankie Hayes
Frankie Hayes
Frank Witman Hayes was an American professional baseball player. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to and, was highly regarded for his defensive abilities. He played most of his career for Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics and also spent time with the St. Louis Browns,...
. Zoldak was used as a reliever his first season, pitching in 18 games and earning an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.72. He played in 26 games during the season, earning a 3-2 record with an ERA of 3.36. In the following two seasons, the Browns decided to use him as a starter. He started 21 and 19 games, respectively, in the and seasons, and finished with record of 9-11 and 9-10. He also continued to maintain a consistent ERA, finishing both seasons with ERAs of 3.43 and 3.47, respectively. After starting the 1948 season with the Browns, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, who were in the middle of a pennant race. Zoldak was traded on June 15, 1948 for Bill Kennedy
Bill Kennedy (1948-57 pitcher)
William Aulton Kennedy born in Carnesville, Georgia was a Pitcher for the Cleveland Indians , St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox , Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Redlegs ....
and $100,000.
For the Cleveland Indians, he served both as a reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
and a fifth starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. During his season with the Indians, he went 9-6 with a 2.81 ERA in 23 games. That same season, he tossed a shutout against his former team, and won both games of a doubleheader while pitching in relief against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. His pitching effort led to the Indians winning the 1948 World Series
1948 World Series
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston...
. Zoldak spent the next two seasons in the bullpen, throwing 4 saves in 1950. During the 1949 season, Sam managed to hit his only career homer. On July 27, 1949, the Indians played the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Zoldak hit a home run in the third inning off Ed Lopat. However, the game was rained out, and the only home run of Zoldak's career was erased.
Just before the 1951 season started, Zoldak was part of a three-way trade. On April 30, 1951, he was traded to the Philadelphia Athletics along with Ray Murray in a trade that also involved 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...
. Zoldak played the season for the Athletics after having originally been signed by the team ten years ago by Connie Mack. Ironically, Mack retired from managing in , the year before Zoldak joined the Major League roster. Zoldak pitched for the Athletics for two seasons, and was used primarily as a starter, starting 28 of the 42 games he pitched for them. On July 13, 1951, Zoldak pitched a one-hitter against the Chicago White Sox. After being released by the Athletics on February 2, 1953, he retired.