Ernie Oravetz
Encyclopedia
Ernest Eugene Oravetz was an American
professional baseball
player. A switch-hitting
outfielder
who threw left-handed
, he played two seasons of Major League Baseball
with the – Washington Senators
. He was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
.
Oravetz stood only 5 in 4 in (1.63 m) tall and weighed 145 pounds (65.8 kg). He never hit more than two home runs in any professional season, but he batted
.311 during his minor league career and in 1951, his first professional season, he led the Class D Florida State League
in batting (.362) and runs scored
(122) and was named to the All-Star team.
After 188 games played
with Washington, he was sent to the minor leagues
for good after the 1956 campaign. Oravetz then played his final seven pro seasons in the high minors, mostly in the Senators/Minnesota Twins organization. Coincidentally, in , the Senators would feature another diminutive outfielder, 5 inch, 140 lb (63.5 kg) Albie Pearson
.
Ernie Oravetz died at age 74 in Tampa, Florida
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player. A switch-hitting
Switch hitter
In baseball, a switch-hitter is a player who bats both right-handed and left-handed.-Baseball:Usually, right-handed batters hit better against left-handed pitchers and vice-versa. Most curveballs break away from batters hitting from the same side as the opposing pitcher. Such pitches are often...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who threw left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
, he played two seasons of Major League Baseball
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...
with the – Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. He was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
.
Oravetz stood only 5 in 4 in (1.63 m) tall and weighed 145 pounds (65.8 kg). He never hit more than two home runs in any professional season, but he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.311 during his minor league career and in 1951, his first professional season, he led the Class D Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
in batting (.362) and runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(122) and was named to the All-Star team.
After 188 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
with Washington, he was sent to the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
for good after the 1956 campaign. Oravetz then played his final seven pro seasons in the high minors, mostly in the Senators/Minnesota Twins organization. Coincidentally, in , the Senators would feature another diminutive outfielder, 5 inch, 140 lb (63.5 kg) Albie Pearson
Albie Pearson
Albert Gregory Pearson is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the Washington Senators , Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles/California Angels . One of the smallest MLB players of his era, he stood tall, weighed , and batted and threw left-handed...
.
Ernie Oravetz died at age 74 in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
.