Moe Burtschy
Encyclopedia
Edward Frank "Moe" Burtschy (April 18, 1922 — May 2, 2004) was an American
right-handed relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics
(1950, 1951, 1954–56).
He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio
. After graduating from high school in 1940, Burtschy signed a minor league
contract, but he joined the Navy
in September 1940 and served aboard the USS Ticonderoga
. Following his military service, he returned to the minors and, on June 17, 1950
, he made his debut in the American League
with the Athletics.
On June 26, 1954, Burtschy replaced Dutch Romberger
in the 10th inning of an Athletics game against the Baltimore Orioles
. He walked Chuck Diering
intentionally to load the bases. He then pitched wildly to Gil Coan
which scored Dick Kryhoski
with the winning run.
Burtschy was optioned to the Portland Beavers
of the Pacific Coast League
in May 1955. On May 29, 1956 he pitched two innings of hitless relief against the Chicago White Sox
. Burtschy fell apart in the 12th inning, yielding three walks and a sacrifice to give Chicago a 7-4 win.
In his 90-game career Burtschy compiled a 10-6 record, with 97 strikeout
s, a 4.71 ERA
, and four saves
in 185 innings pitched
. After retiring, he worked as a freight salesman in the trucking industry.
In November 1999 Burtschy joined Lou Limmer
, Gus Zernial
, Spook Jacobs, Joe Astroth
, Art Ditmar
, and Joe DeMaestri
for a reunion of members of the 1954 Philadelphia Athletics. The event was organized by the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society.
Moe Burtschy died of heart failure in Delhi Township, Ohio
at the age of 82.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
right-handed relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
in 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...
who played for the Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(1950, 1951, 1954–56).
He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. After graduating from high school in 1940, Burtschy signed a minor league
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...
contract, but he joined the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in September 1940 and served aboard the USS Ticonderoga
USS Ticonderoga (CV-14)
USS Ticonderoga was one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for historic Fort Ticonderoga, which played a role in the American Revolutionary War...
. Following his military service, he returned to the minors and, on June 17, 1950
1950 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Philadelphia Phillies *All-Star Game, July 11 at Comiskey Park: National League, 4-3 -Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Carta Vieja *College World Series: Texas...
, he made his debut in 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...
with the Athletics.
On June 26, 1954, Burtschy replaced Dutch Romberger
Dutch Romberger
Allen Isaiah "Dutch" Romberger was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954.-External links:...
in the 10th inning of an Athletics game against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. He walked Chuck Diering
Chuck Diering
Charles Edward Allen Diering in St. Louis, Missouri is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of nine seasons in the major leagues, between and , for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and Baltimore Orioles.-External links:...
intentionally to load the bases. He then pitched wildly to Gil Coan
Gil Coan
Gilbert Fitzgerald Coan is a former outfielder in Major League, playing mainly as a left fielder for four different teams between the and seasons...
which scored Dick Kryhoski
Dick Kryhoski
Richard David Kryhoski was a first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for five different teams between 1949 and 1955. Listed at 6' 2", 200 lb., Kryhoski batted and threw left-handed. He was born and raised in Leonia, New Jersey.Kryhoski attended at Upsala College in East Orange, New...
with the winning run.
Burtschy was optioned to 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...
of 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 May 1955. On May 29, 1956 he pitched two innings of hitless relief against 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...
. Burtschy fell apart in the 12th inning, yielding three walks and a sacrifice to give Chicago a 7-4 win.
In his 90-game career Burtschy compiled a 10-6 record, with 97 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, a 4.71 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, and four saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
in 185 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. After retiring, he worked as a freight salesman in the trucking industry.
In November 1999 Burtschy joined Lou Limmer
Lou Limmer
Louis Limmer, known as Lou was a Major League Baseball player in 1951 and 1954 for the Philadelphia Athletics....
, Gus Zernial
Gus Zernial
Gus Edward Zernial was a Major League Baseball left-fielder and right-handed batter who played for the Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Athletics , Kansas City Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
, Spook Jacobs, Joe Astroth
Joe Astroth
Joseph Henry Astroth is a retired American professional baseball player. He was a catcher for the Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics...
, Art Ditmar
Art Ditmar
Arthur John Ditmar is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Athletics and the New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed.A finesse control pitcher, Ditmar divided his career between the Athletics and Yankees...
, and Joe DeMaestri
Joe DeMaestri
Joseph Paul DeMaestri , nicknamed "Froggy," is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago White Sox , St. Louis Browns , Philadelphia & Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees...
for a reunion of members of the 1954 Philadelphia Athletics. The event was organized by the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society.
Moe Burtschy died of heart failure in Delhi Township, Ohio
Delhi Township, Hamilton County, Ohio
Delhi Township is one of the twelve townships of Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 30,104 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the southwestern part of the county along the Ohio River, it has the following borders:...
at the age of 82.