Mickey Rocco

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Michael Dominick Rocco (March 2, 1916 - June 1, 1997) was a Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians from 1943 to 1946. He was the Tribe's regular first baseman for the majority of the World War II years.

Rocco twice led American League first sackers in fielding percentage (1943 and 1945), and led in putouts and assists in 1944. He had a lifetime fielding percentage of .994 in 431 appearances at first base and participated in 399 double plays.

In almost three complete seasons in the starting lineup (1943-1945) Rocco averaged 9 home runs, 57 runs batted in, and hit .259. He led the league in games played (155), at bats (653), and outs (509) in 1944.

Rocco received less playing time when the war was over. He was traded by the Indians with cash to the Chicago Cubs for first baseman Heinz Becker on June 26, 1946, and never again played in a big league game.

Career totals include 440 games played, 444 hits, 30 HR, 186 RBI, 219 runs scored, and a lifetime batting average of .258. His on base percentage was .327, and he had a slugging percentage of .372.

Rocco died in his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota at the age of 81.

[edit] Career highlight

On September 9, 1945 Rocco had two singles, two doubles, and two home runs in a doubleheader sweep over New York in front of a crowd of 72,252 at Yankee Stadium.