Steve Kuczek
Encyclopedia
Stanislaw Leo "Steve" Kuczek (December 28, 1924 Amsterdam, Montgomery, New York, USA – 21 November 2010 Scotia, Schenectady, New York, USA) was a former major league baseball player for the Boston Braves
, and was one of only 84 players in the history of major league baseball to sport a career 1.000 batting average. He was born in Amsterdam, New York, and played baseball in high school, as well as at Colgate University
and in the army.
On September 29, 1949, in a game against the Brooklyn Dodgers, Kuczek made his first, and only appearance in the major leagues. In the second game of a doubleheader, rain had soaked the field and darkness was beginning to set in. In the bottom of the fifth inning with the Dodgers leading 8–0, Tommy Holmes
stepped into the batter's box, and Connie Ryan
entered the on deck circle wearing a raincoat. Unamused by Ryan's protest of the game continuing under such conditions (and the bonfire started on the dugout steps by other members of the Braves), umpire George Barr
promptly ejected Ryan. Kuczek was selected to pinch-hit for Ryan, and was likely going to assume Ryan's position at shortstop were the game to continue. Holmes doubled off Dodger pitcher Don Newcombe
, and Kuczek followed by doubling down the right field line. Newcombe then went on to strike out the next three Braves, and umpire Barr called the now official game in favor of the Dodgers.
Kuczek never appeared in another game, and retired after the completion of the 1950 season.
Died in Scotia, Schenectady, New York 21 Nov 2010.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, and was one of only 84 players in the history of major league baseball to sport a career 1.000 batting average. He was born in Amsterdam, New York, and played baseball in high school, as well as at Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
and in the army.
On September 29, 1949, in a game against the Brooklyn Dodgers, Kuczek made his first, and only appearance in the major leagues. In the second game of a doubleheader, rain had soaked the field and darkness was beginning to set in. In the bottom of the fifth inning with the Dodgers leading 8–0, Tommy Holmes
Tommy Holmes
Thomas Francis Holmes was an American right and center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball who played nearly his entire career for the Boston Braves...
stepped into the batter's box, and Connie Ryan
Connie Ryan
Cornelius Joseph Ryan was an American second baseman, third baseman, coach and manager in Major League Baseball....
entered the on deck circle wearing a raincoat. Unamused by Ryan's protest of the game continuing under such conditions (and the bonfire started on the dugout steps by other members of the Braves), umpire George Barr
George Barr (umpire)
George McKinley Barr was a professional baseball umpire who worked in the National League from 1931 to 1949. Barr umpired 2,757 major league games in his 19 year career. He umpired in four World Series and two All-Star Games . -External links:*...
promptly ejected Ryan. Kuczek was selected to pinch-hit for Ryan, and was likely going to assume Ryan's position at shortstop were the game to continue. Holmes doubled off Dodger pitcher Don Newcombe
Don Newcombe
Donald Newcombe , nicknamed "Newk", is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers , Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians .Until 2011 when Detroit Tigers Pitcher Justin Verlander did it, Newcombe was the only baseball...
, and Kuczek followed by doubling down the right field line. Newcombe then went on to strike out the next three Braves, and umpire Barr called the now official game in favor of the Dodgers.
Kuczek never appeared in another game, and retired after the completion of the 1950 season.
Died in Scotia, Schenectady, New York 21 Nov 2010.
External links
- Baseball Reference - playing statistics