Jim Konstanty

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Casimir James (Jim) Konstanty (March 2, 1917 - June 11, 1976) was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who 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. He was born in Strykersville, New York.

Konstanty pitched for five major league teams between 1944 and 1956, but his outstanding seasons were with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1948 through 1953. During that period, he became a relief specialist who employed a slider and a change-up with great effectiveness.

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. He 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.

In 1950, when the Phils "Whiz Kids" won the National League pennant, Konstanty was named the Most Valuable Player. He appeared in 74 games (then a major league record), winning 16 games with 22 saves (both NL highs). In that season, 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 the Game One of the 1950 World Series against the New York Yankees.

Konstanty seemed to lose his pitching sharpness after his spectacular 1950-year and was sent to the Yankees in the 1954 midseason. He played two seasons in New York and the half a season for the St. Louis Cardinals before retiring at end of 1956.

In an 11-season career, Konstanty posted a 66-48 record with 74 saves and a 3.46 ERA in 433 games.

Konstanty died in Oneonta, New York at age 59.