Max Surkont
Encyclopedia
Matthew Constantine "Max" Surkont (June 16, 1922 — October 8, 1986) was an American
professional baseball
player who played pitcher
in the Major Leagues
from -. He would play for the Chicago White Sox
, Boston Braves
, Milwaukee Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates
, St. Louis Cardinals
, and New York Giants
. The nickname Max was given to him by his childhood friends.
, Surkont was in the St. Louis Cardinals
organization as a major league prospect. He was highly touted in 1942, prior to injuring his arm during spring training
. This impeded his advancement throughout the season, as the injury was of a lingering kind. Surkont was sold to the Braves before being returned to the Cardinals after manager Billy Southworth
passed on him. He was again shipped to the Rochester Red Wings
, where he remained until 1949. Then the Chicago White Sox
risked the draft price on Surkont. The team was struggling at the time to emerge from the second division of the American League
standings.
on May 25, 1953, he recorded eight consecutive strikeouts. Following his seventh straight strikeout, Surkont was forced to endure a thirty-five minute rain delay. Afterward he struck out Andy Seminick
to lead off the fifth inning. Surkont struck out thirteen batters in the game, a 10 - 3 Braves victory. He was 11 - 5 for the season and recorded a 61 - 76 career record. The record stood until Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, Tom Seaver
, struck out ten in a row in 1970.
He was projected to be a top starter for Pittsburgh, where he was traded prior to the 1954 season.. It was reported that Surkont ate his way off the Braves' team, having an especial fondness for polish sausage.
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 who played pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in the Major Leagues
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...
from -. He would play for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Milwaukee Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, 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 New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. The nickname Max was given to him by his childhood friends.
Minor league pitcher
A native of Central Falls, Rhode IslandCentral Falls, Rhode Island
Central Falls is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 19,376 at the 2010 census. With an area of only , it is the smallest and most densely populated city in the smallest state, and the thirty-second most densely populated incorporated place in the United...
, Surkont was in 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...
organization as a major league prospect. He was highly touted in 1942, prior to injuring his arm during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. This impeded his advancement throughout the season, as the injury was of a lingering kind. Surkont was sold to the Braves before being returned to the Cardinals after manager Billy Southworth
Billy Southworth
William Harrison Southworth was an American right fielder, center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Playing in and and from to , he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Southworth managed in and from through...
passed on him. He was again shipped to 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...
, where he remained until 1949. Then the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
risked the draft price on Surkont. The team was struggling at the time to emerge from the second division of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
standings.
Career highlight
Surkont pitched for the Milwaukee Braves in 1953. Against the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati 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....
on May 25, 1953, he recorded eight consecutive strikeouts. Following his seventh straight strikeout, Surkont was forced to endure a thirty-five minute rain delay. Afterward he struck out Andy Seminick
Andy Seminick
Andrew Wasal Seminick was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies between 1943 and 1951, and the Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs from 1952 through part of 1955, when he rejoined the Phillies for the rest of his career until...
to lead off the fifth inning. Surkont struck out thirteen batters in the game, a 10 - 3 Braves victory. He was 11 - 5 for the season and recorded a 61 - 76 career record. The record stood until Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, Tom Seaver
Tom Seaver
George Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
, struck out ten in a row in 1970.
He was projected to be a top starter for Pittsburgh, where he was traded prior to the 1954 season.. It was reported that Surkont ate his way off the Braves' team, having an especial fondness for polish sausage.