Jim Konstanty
| Jim Konstanty | |
|---|---|
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| Pitcher | |
| Born: March 2, 1917 Strykersville, New York |
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| Died: June 11, 1976 (aged 59) Oneonta, New York |
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| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| June 18, 1944 for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 19, 1956 for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win–Loss record | 66–48 |
| Earned run average | 3.46 |
| Saves | 74 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Casimir James "Jim" Konstanty (March 2, 1917 – June 11, 1976) was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball and National League Most Valuable Player of 1950. He played for the Cincinnati Reds (1944), Boston Braves (1946), Philadelphia Phillies (1948–1954), New York Yankees (1954–1956) and St. Louis Cardinals (1956). Konstanty batted and threw right-handed.
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[edit] Early life
Konstanty started as a physical education teacher in St. Regis Falls, NY. The son of a farmer, Konstanty starred in sports in high school and also at Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree. Jim was a member of the university basketball team from 1936-39.
[edit] Career
Konstanty pitched briefly with the Cincinnati Reds in 1944 and Boston Braves in 1946, and spent three seasons in the minors until 1948, when the Phillies called him up. He became a relief specialist who employed a slider and a change-up with great effectiveness.
In 1950, when the Phils "Whiz Kids" won the National League pennant, Konstanty was named the Most Valuable Player. He appeared in 74 games (then a major league record), winning 16 games with a National League leading 22 saves. He made the NL All-Star team and received the AP Athlete of the Year and the TSN Pitcher of the Year awards. In a surprise move, he was named to start Game One of the 1950 World Series against the New York Yankees.[1] Konstanty gave up only four hits in eight innings but lost 1-0, his efforts outdone by Vic Raschi's two-hit shutout.
Konstanty lost some of his effectiveness after his spectacular 1950 season and was sent to the Yankees in the 1954 midseason. He played two seasons in New York, half a season for the St. Louis Cardinals, and a few games for the San Francisco Seals before retiring in 1957. In an 11-season career, Konstanty posted a 66-48 record with 74 saves and a 3.46 ERA in 433 games.
[edit] Post-Career
Konstanty was the athletic director at Hartwick College from 1967 to 1972. He died in Oneonta, New York at age 59.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Jim Konstanty to Pitch Series Opener for Phils". Spokane Daily Chronicle: p. 15. 1950-10-03. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U6QVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5PUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6673,692631&dq=yankees+phillies+alexander&hl=en.
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
- Casmir James "Jim" Konstanty at Find a Grave
| Preceded by Jackie Robinson |
National League Most Valuable Player 1950 |
Succeeded by Roy Campanella |
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- 1917 births
- 1976 deaths
- Baseball players from New York
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- National League All-Stars
- Boston Braves players
- Cincinnati Reds players
- New York Yankees players
- Philadelphia Phillies players
- St. Louis Cardinals players
- Springfield Nationals players
- Syracuse Chiefs players
- Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) players
- Richmond Virginians (minor league) players
- San Francisco Seals (baseball) players
- Syracuse Orange men's basketball players
- Syracuse Orange baseball players
