Frankie Pytlak
Frankie Pytlak | |
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Catcher | |
Born: Buffalo, New York, U.S. | July 30, 1908|
Died: May 8, 1977 Buffalo, New York, U.S. | (aged 68)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 22, 1932, for the Cleveland Indians | |
Last MLB appearance | |
April 25, 1946, for the Boston Red Sox | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .282 |
Home runs | 7 |
Runs batted in | 272 |
Teams | |
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Frank Anthony Pytlak (July 30, 1908 – May 8, 1977), nicknamed "Rabbit",
Playing career
Pytlak was born in Buffalo, New York. He made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians on April 22, 1932, before being sent back down to the minor leagues with the Toledo Mud Hens.[2] In 1933 he was back with the Indians as a reserve catcher, playing behind Roy Spencer.[2] From 1934 to 1936, Pytlak played mostly as a reserve although, he did lead Indians catchers in games caught in the 1934 season.[2] He became the Indians starting catcher in 1937, posting a .315 batting average in 125 games.[4]
On August 20, 1938, as part of a publicity stunt by the Come to Cleveland Committee, Pytlak, along with Indians' rookie catcher, Hank Helf, successfully caught baseballs dropped from Cleveland's 708-foot-tall (216 m) Terminal Tower by Indians' third baseman Ken Keltner.[5] The 708-foot (216 m) drop broke the 555-foot, 30-year-old record set by Washington Senator catcher Gabby Street at the Washington Monument.[6] The baseballs were estimated to have been traveling at 138 miles per hour when caught.[5]
Pytlak was the Indians' catcher on October 2,
Pytlak was traded to the Boston Red Sox in
By the time World War II had ended in 1945, Pytlak was 37 years old. He rejoined the Red Sox and played nine games before the season finished.[12] The following year he was used sparingly, appearing in only four games and was released in August 1946.[13]
Career statistics
In a twelve-year major league career, Pytlak played in 795
Managing career and retirement
Pytlak managed the Providence Grays of the Class B New England League for a year before he quit organized baseball and coached high school baseball for some time.[19] Later in life, he worked at a sporting goods store in Buffalo.[20]
Pytlak died in Buffalo, New York on May 8, 1977.[21] He was 68 years old and is buried at the St. Stanislaus Cemetery.[8]
References
- ^ https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/frankie-pytlak
- ^ a b c d e f Frankie Pytlak at Baseball Reference
- ISSN 0005-609X
- ^ 1937 Cleveland Indians at Baseball Reference
- ^ a b Anderson, Bruce (March 11, 1985). "When Baseballs Fell From On High, Henry Helf Rose To The Occasion". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
- ^ Ken Keltner at the SABR Baseball Biography Project , by Jim Nitz, Retrieved 20 July 2010.
- ^ October 2, 1938 Tigers Indians box score at Baseball Reference
- ^ a b c d e "Frankie Pytlak at Baseball in Wartime". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
- ^ "Catching Feud May Speed Up Indian's Drive". The Sunday Morning Star. United Press. 16 April 1939. p. 26. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ISSN 0005-609X
- ^ Mickey Cochrane at the SABR Baseball Biography Project , by Charlie Bevis, Retrieved 20 July 2010.
- ^ 1945 Boston Red Sox season at Baseball Reference
- ^ 1946 Boston Red Sox season at Baseball Reference
- ^ 1933 American League Fielding Leaders at Baseball Reference
- ^ Single Season Records for Caught Stealing Percentage at Baseball Reference
- ^ 1937 American League Fielding Leaders at Baseball Reference
- ^ 1934 American League Batting Leaders at Baseball Reference
- ^ Career Leaders for Fielding Percentage at Baseball Reference
- ^ Frankie Pytlak minor league manager record at Baseball Reference
- ISSN 0005-609X
- ^ "Frankie Pytlak New York Times Obituary at thedeadballera.com". Archived from the original on 2010-10-21. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Frankie Pytlak at Find a Grave