Jim Konstanty | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
|||
Pitcher | |||
Born: Strykersville, New York |
March 2, 1917|||
Died: June 11, 1976 Oneonta, New York |
(aged 59)|||
|
|||
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.