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Jim Konstanty

Jim Konstanty
Jim Konstanty.jpg
Pitcher
Born: (1917-03-02)March 2, 1917
Strykersville, New York
Died: June 11, 1976(1976-06-11) (aged 59)
Oneonta, New York
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
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Casimir James "Jim" Konstanty (March 2, 1917 – June 11, 1976) was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball and National League Most Valuable Player of 1950. He played for the Cincinnati Reds (1944), Boston Braves (1946), Philadelphia Phillies (1948–1954), New York Yankees (1954–1956) and St. Louis Cardinals (1956). Konstanty batted and threw right-handed.

Originally from the New York hamlet of Strykersville, Konstanty started as a physical education teacher in Saint Regis Falls, New York. The son of a farmer, Konstanty starred in sports in high school and also at Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree. Jim was a member of the university basketball team from 1936 to 1939.

Konstanty pitched briefly with the Cincinnati Reds in 1944 and Boston Braves in 1946, and spent three seasons in the minors until 1948, when the Phillies called him up. He became a relief specialist who employed a slider and a change-up with great effectiveness.

In 1950, when the Phils "Whiz Kids" won the National League pennant, Konstanty was named the Most 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 22 saves. He made the NL All-Star team and received the AP Athlete of the Year and the TSN Pitcher of the Year awards. In a surprise move, he was named to start Game One of the 1950 World Series against the New York Yankees. Konstanty gave up only four hits in eight innings but lost 1-0, his efforts outdone by Vic Raschi's two-hit shutout.


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Wikipedia

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