Major League Baseball Player. He played Major League baseball as an infielder for six seasons (1934 to 1939) with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants. He became the first player to ever bat in a Major League night game when he came to the plate for the Phillies against the Cincinnati Reds on May 24, 1935. A tall player who could play any infield position when called upon, he was effective with the bat, as his .277 lifetime average attests to. A multi-sport star in high school, he suffered a serious knee injury playing football, which almost ended his chances for a professional career. However, he came back from that injury to become one of the fastest men in the National League during his four-year stay there. Becoming a Major Leaguer at age of 22, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies while playing for the Memphis Chicks of the Southern Association on October 2, 1933 in the Rule V Draft. He spent three seasons in Philadelphia, batting .304 in his rookie season. On December 8, 1936, he was sent to the New York Giants for George Scharein and cash. He finished out his major league career in 1939.
Major League Baseball Player. He played Major League baseball as an infielder for six seasons (1934 to 1939) with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants. He became the first player to ever bat in a Major League night game when he came to the plate for the Phillies against the Cincinnati Reds on May 24, 1935. A tall player who could play any infield position when called upon, he was effective with the bat, as his .277 lifetime average attests to. A multi-sport star in high school, he suffered a serious knee injury playing football, which almost ended his chances for a professional career. However, he came back from that injury to become one of the fastest men in the National League during his four-year stay there. Becoming a Major Leaguer at age of 22, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies while playing for the Memphis Chicks of the Southern Association on October 2, 1933 in the Rule V Draft. He spent three seasons in Philadelphia, batting .304 in his rookie season. On December 8, 1936, he was sent to the New York Giants for George Scharein and cash. He finished out his major league career in 1939.
Bio by: Frank Russo
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