Nick Koback

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Nick Koback
Koback as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, c. 1950s
Catcher
Born: (1935-07-19)July 19, 1935
Hartford, Connecticut
Died: January 23, 2015(2015-01-23) (aged 79)
Hartford, Connecticut
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 29, 1953, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last MLB appearance
July 4, 1955, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
Batting average.121
Hits4
Teams

Nicholas Nicholie Koback (July 19, 1935 – January 23, 2015) was a Russian American

Lincoln Chiefs (1955, 1958), Williamsport Grays (1956), Hollywood Stars (1956–57), New Orleans Pelicans (1956–57), Columbus/Gastonia Pirates (1958) and Charleston Senators (1960). He batted and threw right-handed. During his career, he weighed 187 pounds (85 kg) and stood at 6 feet (180 cm). After retiring from baseball, Koback played pro–am golf in Connecticut
.

Early life

Nicholas Nicholie "Nick" Koback was born on July 19, 1935, in

naturalized citizen of the United States originally from Russia. He worked at the Hartford Machine Screw Company.[1] Nick Koback attended Hartford Public High School where he played baseball.[2] During his sophomore season, his school's team won the Triangular League championship.[3]

In May 1952, Koback missed playing time for his high school team due to a broken finger.

guard on the school's basketball team.[5] Koback graduated from Hartford Public High School in June 1953.[6]

Baseball career

Pittsburgh Pirates (1953–55)

New York Giants pitcher Johnny Antonelli in a 1954 issue of Baseball Digest.
On August 30, 1953, during a pinch hit at-bat, Koback hit his first career MLB triple, which would later prove to be his only career MLB extra-base hit, off Milwaukee Braves pitcher Johnny Antonelli (pictured).

On July 9, 1953, after being

Bonus Rule which at the time stated that he had to be on the Pirates roster for two years.[10]

To fit Koback on the roster, Pirates

Milwaukee Braves on August 30, Koback served as a pinch hitter for pitcher Roger Bowman when he got his first career MLB triple off pitcher Johnny Antonelli.[18] Koback's final game of the season came on September 26, against the New York Giants at Forbes Field.[15] In that game, he started as the catcher going hitless in three at-bats.[19]

Nick Koback as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, undated.
Under the Bonus Rule, Koback was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates MLB roster for his first two seasons.

After the 1953 season, Koback played amateur baseball on pitcher

The Hartford Courant.[23][24] In mid-January 1954, the Pittsburgh Pirates held a workout for incoming rookies and younger players, in which Koback took part.[25] The 1954 season would be the last year he would be protected by the Bonus Rule.[26][27] Before the start of the season, United Press International stated that Koback and his teammate Vic Janowicz were a problem for the Pirates because "neither [were] ready for full-time duty".[28]

Koback made his season debut on July 11, as a pinch hitter for catcher Toby Atwell in a game against the New York Giants.[29][30] Koback's second game of the season came on July 17, as a pinch hitter for catcher Jack Shepard in a game against the Chicago Cubs.[30][31] On July 25, the Sunday Herald's sports editor Sam Cohen wrote a scathing critique of the Bonus Rule, which he stated "[the rule] we feel hampers rather than aids the costly prospects' development, because in practically every case, they see so little action".[32] Cohen went on to use Koback as an example of how the rule is "detrimental" to the development of young players.[32] During his third game on September 22, against the Philadelphia Phillies, Koback started as the catcher going hitless in three at-bats.[30][33] On September 26, Koback made his final appearance of the season against the Brooklyn Dodgers, where in three at-bats he went hitless.[30][34] In four games that season, he went hitless in 10 at-bats. Defensively, Koback played all of his four games as catcher. Of those four games, two were starts. He made 14 putouts.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Joe Nuxhall in a 1957 issue of Baseball Digest.
Koback got his first hit of the 1955 season off of Cincinnati Reds pitcher Joe Nuxhall (pictured).

Koback re-signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on January 15, 1955.[35][36] He made his season debut on May 17, against the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field.[37][38] During his appearance, which was as a pinch hitter for pitcher Nellie King, Koback got one hit, a single, in one at-bat against Reds pitcher Joe Nuxhall.[38]

Koback recalled a conversation he had with then-rookie

flied out.[40] Koback started the second game of the doubleheader.[41]

During his second at-bat of the game, Koback hit a single off Reds pitcher

plate
, Koback made no errors, one assist and four putouts.

Later career (1955–1960)

On July 12, 1955, the Pittsburgh Pirates sold Koback to the minor league

Eastern League.[52] The manager of Williamsport was John Fitzpatrick, a long-time minor league player and manager.[53] With the Grays that season, Koback batted .313 with 62 hits, 16 doubles and two home runs in 68 games played. [citation needed
]

Del Wilber of the Boston Red Sox.
Del Wilber (pictured) served as Koback's manager during his final professional baseball season in 1960.

In October 1956, Koback joined the

regular season, Koback broke his finger.[58] By May, Koback was played for the minor league Lincoln Chiefs of the Class-A Western League.[59] Monty Basgall, a former MLB player, was Koback's manager that season.[60]
On the season, he batted .240 with 54 hits, four doubles, four triples and three home runs in 68 games played.

After the 1958 season, Koback enlisted in the

American Association, were managed by Del Wilber, a former MLB player.[65]
Koback played five games with the Senators that season. In those games, he went hitless in four at-bats. That season would later prove to be his final in professional baseball.

Later life

After his baseball career was over, Koback took up

Hall of Fame in 2004 for his contributions to the school's baseball team in the early 1950s.[70] By 2006, Koback was living in Weatogue, Connecticut.[71]

Koback died January 23, 2015, aged 79.[72]

References

  1. The Hartford Courant
    . Hartford, Connecticut. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  2. ^ "Hartford Tire Nine In Jaycee Finals Ineligible Player Disqualifies Phantoms". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. August 27, 1950. p. A2. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Eight Vets Head Baseball Hopefuls At Hartford High". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. April 8, 1952. p. 14. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Owls Hope Nakonechny Can Check Bulkeley Today". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. May 21, 1952. p. 18. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ Cunavelis, Jimmy (December 10, 1952). "Hartford High Five Spills Manchester In Debut, 49–42". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. 18. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Nick Koback Signs With Pittsburgh". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. July 10, 1953. p. 30. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ "Koback Among Seven Pirate Rookies Attending Haney's Three-Day School". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. July 14, 1953. p. 13. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  8. ^ a b "Pirates Add Bonus Catcher". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 10, 1953. p. 17.
  9. ^ a b c Biederman, Les (July 1, 1955). "The Scoreboard". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 12.
  10. ^
    Beaver Valley Times. Rochester, Pennsylvania. United Press International
    . July 14, 1953. p. 6.
  11. Toledo Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press
    . July 12, 1953. p. 55.
  12. ^ "Released 300 Players". The Lewiston Daily Sun. Lewiston, Maine. Associated Press. 12 October 1953. p. 13.
  13. ^ a b "Pirates at Cardinals Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. July 29, 1953. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  14. Beaver County Times
    . Pennsylvania. p. 24.
  15. ^ a b c "Nick Koback 1953 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  16. ^ a b c "Pirates at Cubs Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. July 31, 1953. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  17. The Milwaukee Journal
    . Associated Press. August 15, 1953. p. 1.
  18. ^ "Braves at Pirates Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. August 30, 1953. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  19. ^ "Sep 26, 1953, Giants at Pirates Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  20. Meriden Journal
    . Wallingford, Connecticut. September 19, 1953. p. 3.
  21. ^ Cunavelis, Jimmy (September 30, 1953). "'It's The Life', Says Koback, Hartford Boy With Pirates". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. 1. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  22. ^ "Nick Koback Invited To Sports Night Rally". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. October 15, 1953. p. 18. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  23. ^ "Nick Koback To Speak To Firemen Tonight". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. October 22, 1953. p. 19. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  24. ^ "Future Fire Fighters Entertained by Koback". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. October 23, 1953. p. 23. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  25. ^ Reichler, Joe (January 16, 1954). "Impressive Group of Rookies To Appear at Pittsburgh Camp". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. p. 6.
  26. ^ Hernon, Jack (February 10, 1954). "Roamin' Around". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 19.
  27. Daytona Beach Morning Journal
    . Associated Press. p. 1.
  28. The Altus Times-Democrat
    . Altus, Oklahoma. p. 3.
  29. ^ "Pirates at Giants Box Score and Play by Play". Baseball-Reference.com. July 11, 1954. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  30. ^ a b c d "Nick Koback 1954 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  31. ^ "Pirates at Cubs Box Score and Play by Play". Baseball-Reference.com. July 17, 1954. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  32. ^ a b Cohen, Sam (July 25, 1954). "Bonus Rule Detrimental in Koback Case". Sunday Herald. Bridgeport, Connecticut. p. 106.
  33. ^ "Pirates at Phillies Box Score and Play by Play". Baseball-Reference.com. September 22, 1954. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  34. ^ "Pirates at Dodgers Box Score and Play by Play". Baseball-Reference.com. September 26, 1954. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  35. ^ "Hartford's Nick Koback Signs Pirates' Contract". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. United Press International. January 20, 1955. p. 15. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  36. Ocala Star-Banner
    . Ocala, Florida. Associated Press. p. 5.
  37. ^ a b c d "Nick Koback 1955 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  38. ^ a b "Pirates at Reds Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. May 17, 1955. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  39. ISBN 0-7432-1781-0
    .
  40. ^ a b "Reds at Pirates Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. June 5, 1955. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  41. ^ a b "Reds at Pirates Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. June 5, 1955. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  42. ^ "Pirates at Reds Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. June 19, 1955. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  43. ^ "Giants at Pirates Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. July 4, 1955. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  44. ^ "Pirates Sell Bonus Baby Nick Koback". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 12, 1955. p. 16.
  45. ^ a b "1955 Lincoln Chiefs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  46. ^ "Untitled". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. November 2, 1955. p. 19A. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  47. ^ a b "1956 Hollywood Stars". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  48. ^ "Clay Hopper Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  49. ^ "Nick Koback Catches Opener for Hollywood". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. April 11, 1956. p. 18. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  50. ^ Finch, Frank (May 5, 1956). "St. Claire Hits Pinch Homer to Beat Stars, 5-4". Los Angeles Times. p. B1. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  51. ^ "1956 New Orleans Pelicans". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  52. ^ Cline, Frank (May 18, 1956). "Nick Koback, Former Hartford High Catcher, Joins Williamsport Today". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. 25. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  53. ^ "Jack Fitzpatrick Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  54. ^ "Koback To Play In Mexican Loop". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. October 9, 1956. p. 20. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  55. ^ "Politicos Playing Heart Fund Game". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. March 1, 1957. p. 22. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  56. ^ "Angles to Clash With Stars Today". Los Angeles Times. March 17, 1957. p. C1. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  57. ^ "Nick Koback Shipped To Mobile by Stars". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. May 22, 1957. p. 19. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  58. ^
    The Deseret News
    . Salt Lake City. April 3, 1958. p. 25.
  59. ^ "Untitled". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. May 18, 1958. p. 5D1. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  60. ^ "1958 Lincoln Chiefs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  61. ^ "Nick Koback Enlists In Nebraska Guard". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. September 17, 1958. p. 18A. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  62. ^ a b "1959 Columbus/Gastonia Pirates". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  63. ^ "'Bonus' Players Fail to Impress". Sunday Herald. Bridgeport, Connecticut. August 23, 1959. p. 89.
  64. ^ "Buzzers Get King In Deal". The Deseret News. Salt Lake City. April 15, 1960. p. 21.
  65. ^ "1960 Charleston Senators". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  66. ^ a b "Nick Koback Goodwin Park Aide; Golf Show at Avon Stirs Interest". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. April 15, 1965. p. 20A. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  67. ^ Griffith, Owen (May 29, 1966). "Former Golf Winners to Bid Again In Courant Tournament of Champions". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. 8C. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  68. ^ a b "Koback Names Pequot Assistant". The Day. Southeastern Connecticut. May 5, 1970. p. 10.
  69. ^ Canfield, Owen (June 10, 1969). "Sore-Handed Nick Koback Wins Event at Cliffside". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. 29. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  70. ^ "Nick Koback". Hartford Public High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Hartford Public High School. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  71. ISBN 0-9707095-7-9
    .
  72. ^ "Nicholas Koback Obituary". legacy.com. Hartford, Connecticut: Hartford Courant. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.

External links

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