Joe Buzas
Encyclopedia
Joseph John "Joe" Buzas (October 2, 1919 – March 19, 2003) was a Major League Baseball
shortstop
. Buzas played for the New York Yankees
in the baseball season. In 30 career games, he had 17 hits, 6 RBIs and a .262 batting average. He batted and threw right-handed.
He was the owner of the Salt Lake Stingers and the team's president at the time of his death. In 1996, his team had received the John J. Johnson President's Trophy, given each year to the top minor league franchise.
He was born in Alpha, New Jersey
, and as a student at Bucknell University
, Buzas had been a standout in basketball, football, baseball and boxing. He signed with the Yankees in 1941. He made it to the major leagues in 1945; however, a shoulder injury ended his playing career early.
At the age of 26, he became a manager of a minor league team. He spent a decade in Puerto Rico
before taking over the ownership of the Class A Eastern League Allentown (Pennsylvania) Red Sox
in 1958.
Leaving Allentown in 1960, Buzas operated 82 minor league franchises in his 45 years as an owner. He moved west and his Portland, Oregon
team was relocated to Salt Lake City in 1994 and the Salt Lake Buzz
led the Pacific Coast League
in attendance for its first six years. In 1975 he was presented with the King of Baseball
award given by Minor 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...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
. Buzas played for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the baseball season. In 30 career games, he had 17 hits, 6 RBIs and a .262 batting average. He batted and threw right-handed.
He was the owner of the Salt Lake Stingers and the team's president at the time of his death. In 1996, his team had received the John J. Johnson President's Trophy, given each year to the top minor league franchise.
He was born in Alpha, New Jersey
Alpha, New Jersey
Alpha is a borough in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 2,369.Alpha was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature and signed by Governor Woodrow Wilson on June 26, 1911, from portions of Pohatcong...
, and as a student at Bucknell University
Bucknell University
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of...
, Buzas had been a standout in basketball, football, baseball and boxing. He signed with the Yankees in 1941. He made it to the major leagues in 1945; however, a shoulder injury ended his playing career early.
At the age of 26, he became a manager of a minor league team. He spent a decade in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
before taking over the ownership of the Class A Eastern League Allentown (Pennsylvania) Red Sox
Allentown Red Sox
The Allentown Red Sox were a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. They played in the Class A Eastern League and were based in Allentown, Pennsylvania....
in 1958.
Leaving Allentown in 1960, Buzas operated 82 minor league franchises in his 45 years as an owner. He moved west and his Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
team was relocated to Salt Lake City in 1994 and the Salt Lake Buzz
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
led the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
in attendance for its first six years. In 1975 he was presented with the King of Baseball
King of Baseball
King of Baseball is a ceremonial title awarded by Minor League Baseball to one person each year in recognition of longtime dedication and service to professional baseball.- Background :The title was first awarded in 1951...
award given by Minor League Baseball.