| Max Surkont | |
|---|---|
 Surkont in about 1952 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1922-06-16)June 16, 1922 Central Falls, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| Died: October 8, 1986(1986-10-08) (aged 64) Largo, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 19, 1949, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 1, 1957, for the New York Giants | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 61–76 |
| Earned run average | 4.38 |
| Strikeouts | 571 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Matthew Constantine Surkont (June 16, 1922 – October 8, 1986) was an American professionalbaseballpitcher who played from 1949 through 1957 in theMajor Leagues. He played for theChicago White Sox,Boston / Milwaukee Braves,Pittsburgh Pirates,St. Louis Cardinals, andNew York Giants. The nicknameMax was given to him by his childhood friends.[1]
A native ofCentral Falls, Rhode Island, the right-handed Surkont was in theSt. Louis Cardinals organization as a major league prospect. He was highly touted in 1942, prior to injuring his arm duringspring training. This impeded his advancement throughout the season, as the injury was of a lingering kind.[2] Surkont was sold to the Braves before being returned to the Cardinals after managerBilly Southworth passed on him. He was again shipped to theRochester Red Wings, where he remained until 1949. Then theChicago White Sox risked the draft price on Surkont. The team was struggling at the time to emerge from thesecond division of theAmerican League standings.[3] In 1950, he pitched for theSacramento Solons of thePacific Coast League. Sportswriter Jim Cooper wrote on June 12, "Folks are saying that six-foot Max Surkont of the Sacramento Solons is the handiest man tossing the pill in the Pacific Coast League."[4]
Surkont pitched for theMilwaukee Braves in 1953. Against theCincinnati Reds on May 25, 1953, he recorded eight consecutive strikeouts. Following his seventh straight strikeout, Surkont was forced to endure a thirty-five-minute rain delay. Afterward he struck outAndy Seminick to lead off the fifth inning. Surkont struck out thirteen batters in the game, a 10–3 Braves victory. He was 11–5 for the season and recorded a 61–76 career record.[5] The record stood untilBaseball Hall of Fame pitcher,Tom Seaver, struck out ten in a row in 1970.[6]
Surkont was projected to be a top starter for Pittsburgh, where he was traded prior to the 1954 season.[7] It was reported that Surkont ate his way off the Braves' team, having an especial fondness forPolish sausage.[8]