Carl Sawatski

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Carl Ernest Sawatski (November 4, 1927 - November 24, 1991) born in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania was a catcher for the Chicago Cubs (1948, 1950 and 1953), Chicago White Sox (1954), Milwaukee Braves (1957-58), Philadelphia Phillies (1958-59) and St. Louis Cardinals (1960-63). He also was an influential figure in minor league baseball.

He helped the Braves win the 1957 World Series and the 1958 National League pennant. After his playing career ended, Sawatski served as the general manager of the Arkansas Travelers of the Class AA Texas League for many years, then as president of the TL itself from 1976 until his death. During his presidency, the Texas League prospered during the renaissance of minor league baseball that began in the 1980s.

In 11 seasons, he played in 633 games and had 1,449 at bats, 133 runs, 351 hits, 46 doubles, 5 triples, 58 home runs, 213 runs batted in, 2 stolen bases, 191 walks, .242 batting average, .330 on-base percentage, .401 slugging percentage, 581 total bases, 2 sacrifice hits, 13 sacrifice flies and 38 intentional walks. A left-handed batter who threw right-handed, Sawatski the player stood 5'10" (178 cm) tall and weighed 210 pounds (95 kg).

He died in Little Rock, Arkansas at the age of 64.

In an article in 1976 in Esquire magazine, sportswriter Harry Stein published an "All Time All-Star Argument Starter," consisting of five ethnic baseball teams. Sawatski was the catcher on Stein's Polish team.