Cass Michaels
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cass Michaels | |
|---|---|
| Second baseman | |
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| August 19, 1943 for the Chicago White Sox |
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| Final game | |
| August 27, 1954 for the Chicago White Sox |
|
| Career statistics | |
| AVG | .262 |
| H | 1142 |
| RBI | 501 |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Casimir Eugene Michaels (March 4, 1926-November 12, 1982) was a Major League Baseball second baseman. He was born in Detroit, Michigan as Casimir Eugene Kwietniewski, and was primarily a second baseman throughout his career, though he was also a third baseman and shortstop for a time.[1]
Under his real name, Michaels was signed to a major league contract by the Chicago White Sox at the age of 17 before the 1943 season, but only played in 2 games that season. He was the second youngest player in the American League when he made his major league debut, being older than 16-year old Carl Scheib.[1] He played in 27 games the following season, and during the 1945 season actually played a full season at shortstop due to Luke Appling serving in the US Navy.[2] He saw a smaller amount of playing time during the 1946 season and the 1947 season due to Appling's return,[3] playing both second and third base when the starters sat out. For the 1948 season, he was moved from third base and second base to shortstop and second, due to modest fielding percentages of .938 and .927 when he played at third.[1] Appling played some games at third, and as a result Michaels played his first full season in 1948. After Don Kolloway was traded at the start of the 1949 season, Michaels became the starting second baseman, and played in all 154 games there which led to his first all-star appearance as the starting second baseman.[1] He also notched a career high 9 triples that season, as well as a career high batting average of .308.[1] After playing part of the 1950 season for the White Sox, Cass was traded to the Washington Senators on May 31 along with Bob Kuzava and Johnny Ostrowski for Eddie Robinson, Al Kozar, and Ray Scarborough.[1]
Michaels continued to play well for Washington, and as a result earned his second trip to the all-star game.[1] He played another full season for Washington, and began the 1952 season with them before being to the St. Louis Browns for Lou Sleater and Fred Marsh.[1] Michaels then went to a third team for the 1952 season as he was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Athletics on August 5, where he was able to play second base, having played third for St. Louis.[1] He played the 1953 season for Philadelphia, where he hit a career-high 12 home runs. On December 8, 1953, the Chicago White Sox purchased Michaels from the Athletics, effectively bringing Michaels back to his old team. His career ended on August 27, 1954, in a game between the White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics. In what became an 11-0 White Sox victory, Cass was hit in the head by a pitch from Marion Fricano. He had to be carried from the field, and was given last rites at the hospital, as he was in critical condition.[4] Michaels recovered, but the pitch impaired his vision and caused him to end his career.[3] Michaels died in Grosse Pointe, Michigan on November 12, 1982.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Cass Michaels Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
- ^ Those Who Served. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
- ^ a b Cass Michaels - BaseballLibrary.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
- ^ An Unofficial History of the Beanball. Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
- ^ Cass Michaels' obit. Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
