Frankie Austin/pagetext
From SABR Encyclopedia
Contents |
Profile
Personal
- Self-identified as being of African American-Spanish ancestry.
- Listed hobbies as swimming and movies.
- Flied out as a pinch hitter in his first game with the Philadelphia Stars.
- Leading the Negro American League in hitting with .390 in 1944 as the lead-off batter in his first year as a pro was his greatest thrill.
Pre-professional career
- Won three letters in track and baseball in a Panama high school.
- Was a semi-pro pitcher when Bill Yancey, a scout for the Philadelphia Stars of the Negro American League, discovered him.
Achievements
- Only once did he fall below .300 in his five years in the Negro American League and Panama loop.
- Led the 1952 Pacific Coast League in times at bat with 702.
Contract signing
- Was purchased from the Philadelphia Stars by the New York Yankees who optioned him to Newark in 1949.
Sources
- 1952 Pacific Coast League Thumbnail Sketches.
- 1953 Pacific Coast League Sketch Book.