Major League Baseball Player. The outfielder-first baseman played 10 years with the Boston Red Sox (1943 to 1946), the Cleveland Indians (1947), the Chicago White Sox (1949), the Pittsburgh Pirates (1951 to 1953), the Chicago Cubs (1953) and the Milwaukee Braves (1954). In 1944, his first full year in the big leagues, he enjoyed a 25-game hitting streak and hit .277 with 28 doubles and 94 runs scored. On December 9, 1947, he was to go with $50,000 to the St. Louis Browns for infielder Johnny Berardino, who later became a soap-opera star on television. But because of a broken finger, Metkovich was returned to the Indians in exchange for another $15,000. He played baseball player-clown Al Schact in "Three Little Words" in 1950 and also had bit parts in "The Winning Team" and "Love Is Better Than Ever" in 1952. He was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Pittsburgh slugger Ralph Kiner to the Cubs. Metkovich, Kiner, catcher Joe Garagiola and pitcher Howie Pollet went to Chicago on June 4, 1953 for catcher Toby Atwell, first baseman Preston Ward, outfielders Gene Hermanski and Bob Addis, third baseman George Freese, pitcher Bob Schultz and $150,000. His career totals were .261 with 47 homers and 373 runs batted in. He was 31 for 116 as a pinch hitter (.267). He died from complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Major League Baseball Player. The outfielder-first baseman played 10 years with the Boston Red Sox (1943 to 1946), the Cleveland Indians (1947), the Chicago White Sox (1949), the Pittsburgh Pirates (1951 to 1953), the Chicago Cubs (1953) and the Milwaukee Braves (1954). In 1944, his first full year in the big leagues, he enjoyed a 25-game hitting streak and hit .277 with 28 doubles and 94 runs scored. On December 9, 1947, he was to go with $50,000 to the St. Louis Browns for infielder Johnny Berardino, who later became a soap-opera star on television. But because of a broken finger, Metkovich was returned to the Indians in exchange for another $15,000. He played baseball player-clown Al Schact in "Three Little Words" in 1950 and also had bit parts in "The Winning Team" and "Love Is Better Than Ever" in 1952. He was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Pittsburgh slugger Ralph Kiner to the Cubs. Metkovich, Kiner, catcher Joe Garagiola and pitcher Howie Pollet went to Chicago on June 4, 1953 for catcher Toby Atwell, first baseman Preston Ward, outfielders Gene Hermanski and Bob Addis, third baseman George Freese, pitcher Bob Schultz and $150,000. His career totals were .261 with 47 homers and 373 runs batted in. He was 31 for 116 as a pinch hitter (.267). He died from complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Bio by: Ron Coons
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