From SABR Encyclopedia
| Edward Frank Sobczak
|
| "Big Ed"
|
| Bat/Throw:
| R/R
|
| Height:
| 6' 2"
|
| Weight:
| 195
|
| Born:
| 1921-11-6 at Pittsburgh, PA (US)
|
| Died:
| 1994-8-30 at Danville, CA (US)
|
| SABR Searches: | Pictures of Edward Sobczak | width:90% height:65% scrolling:auto | Pictures}} · Bibliography
|
Edward Sobczak was a professional player.
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Profile
Personal
- Resided in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1951.
- Resided in San Jose, California in 1953 and 1954.
- Listed hobby as photography and bowling in 1951, photography in 1953.
- Graduated from Langley High School in Pittsburgh in 1943 or 1944 (1944 according to the 1951 California League Gold Book, 1943 according to the 1953 edition).
- Playing in a 20-inning game against Ventura as a rookie in 1949 was his most unusual experience in baseball.
- Self-identified as being of Polish ancestry.
- Graduated from Michigan State in 1949.
Pre-professional career
- Was voted San Jose's "Most Valuable Player" in 1951.
Achievements
- Led the 1953 California League in runs batted in with 142.
- Became the first outfielder in California League history to start a triple play on May 8, 1953 against Fresno.
Outside of baseball
- All-American football player at Michigan State
- His most exciting experience in college was catching a pass which tied Santa Clara at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco in 1948.
- Served in the U.S. Army Air Corps for 18 months.
- Was a salesman during the off-season in 1953.
- Was a teacher and baseball coach at Willow Glen High School in San Jose during the off-season in 1954.
Sources
- 1951 California League Gold Book (Third Edition).
- 1953 California League Gold Book (Fifth Edition).
- 1954 California League Gold Book (Sixth Edition).
- "Obituary". San Jose Mercury News, 1994-09-05.
