John Leovich
Encyclopedia
John Joseph Leovich was an American
professional baseball
catcher
. He was born in Portland
, Oregon
. He played college baseball
and college football
for Oregon State University
, and was a letterman in football in 1939 and 1940, and in baseball in 1940.
In college, Leovich played in the first-ever Pineapple Bowl
in 1940 against the University of Hawaii
following the 1939 football season. He played as left end in the game, resulting in a 39-6 win. Leovich was signed to a baseball contract by Connie Mack
. This became an issue when athletic director
Percy Locey
claimed that the A's "stole" Leovich, which was resolved when Mack claimed that he did not know Leovich was in college, and he was signed by a scout. Leovich was also looking over an offer to play for the Detroit Tigers
at this time, but eventually chose the Athletics because they had a minor league team in Portland, and was familiar with some of the players and coaches.
Leovich played his first and last game for the Philadelphia Athletics on May 1, 1941 against the Cleveland Indians
. In two major league at-bats against Bob Feller
, he hit a ground out
to shortstop Lou Boudreau
and a double
to right field. He finished with a career batting average
of .500. Shortly after playing in this one career game, he was optioned to the Montreal Royals
of the International League
. He played for the Portland Beavers
the following season.
After being released on October 20, Leovich served in the United States Coast Guard
in World War II
. He also owned and operated Captain John's Restaurant in Lincoln City, Oregon
until his retirement in 1979. He died on February 3, 2000 in Lincoln City.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. He was born in Portland
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...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. He played college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
and college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, and was a letterman in football in 1939 and 1940, and in baseball in 1940.
In college, Leovich played in the first-ever Pineapple Bowl
Pineapple Bowl
The Pineapple Bowl is a now-defunct college football bowl game played in Honolulu, Hawaii at Honolulu Stadium. Played on New Year's Day except in 1950, the Pineapple Bowl succeeded the Poi Bowl. The inaugural game was played in 1940 and the last game was played in 1952. After the bombing of...
in 1940 against the University of Hawaii
Hawaii Warriors football
The Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors...
following the 1939 football season. He played as left end in the game, resulting in a 39-6 win. Leovich was signed to a baseball contract by Connie Mack
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
. This became an issue when athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
Percy Locey
Percy Locey
Percy P. Locey was a college football player, a college football coach, and a college athletic director, the latter at Oregon State College from 1937-1947...
claimed that the A's "stole" Leovich, which was resolved when Mack claimed that he did not know Leovich was in college, and he was signed by a scout. Leovich was also looking over an offer to play for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
at this time, but eventually chose the Athletics because they had a minor league team in Portland, and was familiar with some of the players and coaches.
Leovich played his first and last game for the Philadelphia Athletics on May 1, 1941 against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. In two major league at-bats against Bob Feller
Bob Feller
On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
, he hit a ground out
Baseball rules
The rules of baseball differ slightly from league to league, but in general share the same basic gameplay.-Codes:There are several major rules codes, which differ only slightly....
to shortstop Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
and a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
to right field. He finished with a career batting average
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 :...
of .500. Shortly after playing in this one career game, he was optioned to the Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
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...
. He played for the Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
the following season.
After being released on October 20, Leovich served in the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He also owned and operated Captain John's Restaurant in Lincoln City, Oregon
Lincoln City, Oregon
Lincoln City is a city in Lincoln County, Oregon, United States. It is named after the county. The population was 7,930 at the 2010 census.- History :...
until his retirement in 1979. He died on February 3, 2000 in Lincoln City.