Eddie Kazak
Encyclopedia
Edward Terrance Kazak was a Major League Baseball
third baseman
who played for the St. Louis Cardinals
and Cincinnati Reds
from 1948 to 1952. Born Edward Terrance Tkaczuk, he graduated from Cecil Township High School in 1938, where he played both baseball and soccer. He played sandlot baseball and played in the Georgia-Florida League
for a few years, boasting a batting average of .378 in 1941 when with Albany, the team that won the Georgia-Florida pennant
.
After the end of the 1942 season on October 1, Kazak entered the military and enlisted with the United States Army
. He was originally stationed in Brooks Field, Texas, then joined the paratrooper
s in 1943. In 1944, Kazak left the United States for Europe. After the Invasion of Normandy, Kazak sustained a bayonet wound to his left arm and had his right elbow shattered by shrapnel. As a result, he spent 18 months in hospitals recovering and enduring numerous operations, including one where a plastic patch was put in place of the missing bone in his elbow. By the time he was released in December 1945, his doctors has told him to forget about baseball.
In 1946, Kazak spent the season in the South Atlantic League
, playing for the Columbus Cardinals. In 1947, he played for the Omaha Cardinals
of the Western League
and the Rochester Red Wings
of the International League
. Though he has been a second baseman
throughout his career, he moved to third base while playing for Rochester in 1948. By the end of the season, Kazak was promoted to the major leagues.
Kazak made his major league debut on September 29, 1948, and played in six games with 22 at bat
s during the 1948 St. Louis Cardinals season
. The 1949 St. Louis Cardinals season
was Kazak's best statistical season. In 92 games, he had a career-high batting average of .304, 6 home run
s, 3 triples
, and made his only All-Star appearance
. In the 1949 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
, Kazak was the starting third baseman, and had two hits in two at-bats. However, Kazak was later injured and lost his starting job to Tommy Glaviano
, becoming a pinch hitter
during the 1950 season. He had 207 at-bats in 93 games during the 1950 St. Louis Cardinals season
, and led the National League with 42 pinch hit at-bats. Kazak only played 11 games the following season, and after playing three games in 1952, the Cardinals traded him with Wally Westlake
to the Cincinnati Reds for Dick Sisler
and Virgil Stallcup
. However, Kazak only had one hit in 13 games as a member of the Reds, which marked the end of his Major League career.
Kazak continued to play baseball after his major league career was over. He played his last professional game at the age of 40 in 1960 while playing for Austin in the Texas League
. He died in Austin, Texas on December 15, 1999.
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...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
who played for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
from 1948 to 1952. Born Edward Terrance Tkaczuk, he graduated from Cecil Township High School in 1938, where he played both baseball and soccer. He played sandlot baseball and played in the Georgia-Florida League
Georgia-Florida League
The Georgia-Florida League was a minor baseball league that existed from 1935 through 1958 and in 1962–1963...
for a few years, boasting a batting average of .378 in 1941 when with Albany, the team that won the Georgia-Florida pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
.
After the end of the 1942 season on October 1, Kazak entered the military and enlisted with the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He was originally stationed in Brooks Field, Texas, then joined the paratrooper
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
s in 1943. In 1944, Kazak left the United States for Europe. After the Invasion of Normandy, Kazak sustained a bayonet wound to his left arm and had his right elbow shattered by shrapnel. As a result, he spent 18 months in hospitals recovering and enduring numerous operations, including one where a plastic patch was put in place of the missing bone in his elbow. By the time he was released in December 1945, his doctors has told him to forget about baseball.
In 1946, Kazak spent the season in the South Atlantic League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
, playing for the Columbus Cardinals. In 1947, he played for the Omaha Cardinals
Omaha Cardinals
The Omaha Cardinals was the name of the minor league baseball club based in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, from 1947 through 1959. It played in the Class A Western League through 1954 and in the AAA American Association from 1955-59 as an affiliate of its major league namesake, the St...
of the Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
and the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. Though he has been a second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
throughout his career, he moved to third base while playing for Rochester in 1948. By the end of the season, Kazak was promoted to the major leagues.
Kazak made his major league debut on September 29, 1948, and played in six games with 22 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s during the 1948 St. Louis Cardinals season
1948 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 67th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 57th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 85-69 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League.- Regular season :...
. The 1949 St. Louis Cardinals season
1949 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 68th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 58th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 96-58 during the season and finished second in the National League.- Offseason :...
was Kazak's best statistical season. In 92 games, he had a career-high batting average of .304, 6 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 3 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and made his only All-Star appearance
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
. In the 1949 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1949 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1949 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 16th annual midseason exhibition game between the all-stars of Major League Baseball's American and National Leagues. The American League continued its early dominance of the Midsummer Classic with an 11-7 win at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. The...
, Kazak was the starting third baseman, and had two hits in two at-bats. However, Kazak was later injured and lost his starting job to Tommy Glaviano
Tommy Glaviano
Thomas Giatano Glaviano was a third baseman in Major League Baseball.-External links:...
, becoming a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
during the 1950 season. He had 207 at-bats in 93 games during the 1950 St. Louis Cardinals season
1950 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 69th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 59th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 78-75 during the season and finished 5th in the National League.- Offseason :...
, and led the National League with 42 pinch hit at-bats. Kazak only played 11 games the following season, and after playing three games in 1952, the Cardinals traded him with Wally Westlake
Wally Westlake
Waldon Thomas Westlake was a utility player who had a ten-year career from 1947 to 1956. Born in Gridley, California, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies of the National League, and the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles of the...
to the Cincinnati Reds for Dick Sisler
Dick Sisler
Richard Alan Sisler was an American player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Sisler was the son of Hall of Fame first baseman and two-time .400 hitter George Sisler. Younger brother Dave Sisler was a relief pitcher in the 1950s and 1960s with four MLB...
and Virgil Stallcup
Virgil Stallcup
Thomas Virgil Stallcup was an American professional baseball player, a shortstop who played in seven Major League seasons . Nicknamed "Red," the native of Ravensford, Swain County, North Carolina, threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 185 pounds .Stallcup attended...
. However, Kazak only had one hit in 13 games as a member of the Reds, which marked the end of his Major League career.
Kazak continued to play baseball after his major league career was over. He played his last professional game at the age of 40 in 1960 while playing for Austin in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
. He died in Austin, Texas on December 15, 1999.