| Leo Cristante | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1926-12-10)December 10, 1926 Detroit,Michigan | |
| Died: August 24, 1977(1977-08-24) (aged 50) Dearborn, Michigan | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 21, 1951, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 7, 1955, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 1–2 |
| Earned run average | 3.84 |
| Innings pitched | 582⁄3 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Dante Leo Cristante (December 10, 1926 – August 24, 1977) was an American professionalbaseballright-handedpitcher. He had a 13-year (1947–59) career in pro ball, including 30games played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for the 1951Philadelphia Phillies and 1955Detroit Tigers (his hometown team). During Cristante's playing days, he was listed as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall, weighing 195 pounds (88 kg).
Cristante spent the early months of the 1951 season as a member of the Phillies' pitching staff, appearing in ten games, nine inrelief. He earned his only Major Leaguevictory on April 29 against theBoston Braves. Cristante was called into the game in the firstinning atBraves Field in relief ofBob Miller with Boston in the midst of a six-run rally; Cristante allowed only twoearned runs over the next5+2⁄3 innings as the Phillies came from behind to win, 10–9.[1] Three weeks later, Cristante made his onlyNational League (NL)start, on May 18 against theChicago Cubs atWrigley Field. This time, he was routed in the first inning, failing to record anout. However, the Phillies could not recover and the 18–9 defeat was charged to Cristante.[2]
Cristante spent the next3+1⁄2 years in the minors. In 1954, he led the Double-ASouthern Association in wins (24) and winning percentage (.774), and was named to the all-star team. The performance brought Cristante back to MLB for 1955 with his hometown Tigers, who acquired him in a trade with theChicago White Sox. Cristante appeared in 20 games for the1955 Tigers, coming out of thebullpen for all but one appearance. In his lone start, July 27 against theBaltimore Orioles atMemorial Stadium, he lasted into the fifth inning and did not earn a decision in an 8–7 Tiger loss.[3] As a Major Leaguer, Cristante allowed 65hits and 23bases on balls in58+2⁄3 innings, with 15strikeouts.
Cristante returned to the minor leagues in 1956 and spent the remainder of his career in the high minors in theBrooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers' organization. He retired after appearing in 383 minor league games, with a 111–92 record.[4]
