| Jim Konstanty | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Konstanty, circa 1950 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1917-03-02)March 2, 1917 Strykersville, New York, U.S. | |
| Died: June 11, 1976(1976-06-11) (aged 59) Oneonta, New York, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 18, 1944, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 19, 1956, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 66–48 |
| Earned run average | 3.46 |
| Strikeouts | 268 |
| Saves | 74 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Casimir James Konstanty (March 2, 1917 – June 11, 1976) was an American professionalbaseballrelief pitcher inMajor League Baseball andNational LeagueMost Valuable Player of1950. He played for theCincinnati Reds (1944),Boston Braves (1946),Philadelphia Phillies (1948–1954),New York Yankees (1954–1956) andSt. Louis Cardinals (1956). Konstanty batted and threw right-handed, stood 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and weighed 202 pounds (92 kg).
Originally from the New York hamlet ofStrykersville, he was the son of a farmer. Konstanty starred in sports in high school inArcade, New York, and also atSyracuse University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree. He was a member of the university basketball team from 1936 to 1939. Konstanty was a physical education teacher inSaint Regis Falls, New York, before becoming a professionalbaseballplayer. He pitched in semi-pro leagues for theMalone Maroons and theMassena Alcos (sponsored by the Aluminum Company of America) in 1940 and 1941. In one game he struck out 11 batters while playing for Massena.
Konstanty began his pro career in 1941 at age 24. He pitched briefly with the Cincinnati Reds in1944 and Boston Braves in1946, while spending 1945 performingUnited States Navy service. Then he spent three seasons in theminors until1948, when the Phillies called him up. He became a relief specialist who employed aslider and achange-up with great effectiveness.
In1950, when the Phils"Whiz Kids" won theNational League pennant, Konstanty was named theMost Valuable Player; to date, he is the only National League relief pitcher to achieve such an honor. He appeared in 74 games (then a major league record), winning 16 games with a National League leading 22saves. He made theNL All-Star team and received theAP Athlete of the Year and theTSN Pitcher of the Year awards. In a surprise move, he was named tostart Game 1 of the1950 World Series against the New York Yankees.[1] Konstanty gave up only four hits in eight innings but lost 1–0, his efforts outdone byVic Raschi's two-hit shutout.
Konstanty lost some of his effectiveness after his spectacular 1950 season and was sent to the Yankees in the midseason of1954. He played two seasons in New York, half a season for the St. Louis Cardinals, and a few games for theSan Francisco Seals before retiring in 1957. In his 11-season career, Konstanty posted a 66–48 record with 74 saves and a 3.46ERA in 433games. In 9452⁄3innings pitched, he struck out 268 and allowed 957hits and 269bases on balls. In his 36games started, he amassed 14complete games and twoshutouts.
Konstanty lived inWorcester, New York. He opened a sporting goods store inOneonta, New York in 1948, and he would operate that store until 1973. He served as a minor-league pitching coach for theSt. Louis Cardinals. From 1968 to 1972 he was the director of athletics atHartwick College in Oneonta, New York. He lived in Worcester until his death at the age of 59.[2]
In 2008, Casimir (Jim) Konstanty was elected into theNational Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.[3]
