User:Somnabot/Buried/Sandbox3

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Balaz

Image:John_balaz_autograph.jpg
Primary Position Left fielder
Uniform number 8 (1974), 9 (1975)
Draft 1970 : 5th Round (106th)
Age 55
Height 6 ft 3 in
Weight 180 lb
Bats Right
Throws Right
College San Diego Community College
Place of Birth Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Drafted by California Angels
Major League experience 2
Major League Debut September 10, 1974 (Age 23)
Last Major League Game September 28, 1975

John Balaz was born on Friday, November 24, 1950, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Balaz was 23 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 10, 1974, with the California Angels.

Contents

[edit] California Angels

On June 4, 1970 Balaz was drafted by the California Angels in the 5th round of the 1970 amateur baseball draft.

An outstanding minor league hitter who led three leagues in runs batted in, Balaz made his major league debut in an unusual way on September 10, 1974 at Anaheim Stadium. In a game against the Kansas City Royals, he was announced as a pinch hitter for left fielder Bruce Bochte in the bottom of the 6th. Kansas City made a pitching change, so manager Dick Williams decided to have Rudy Meoli pinch hit for Balaz, who had to go back and take a seat on the dugout bench. He got into a game three days later, starting in left field against the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park, and went 0-for-3 against Jim Kaat. On September 24 he had a big game against the Royals in Kansas City, with a home run and 4 RBI.

Balaz spent more time with the Angels in 1975, hitting .242 (29-for-120) in 45 games with 1 HR and 10 RBI. He was in the starting lineup for 30 of those games as a left fielder, right fielder, and designated hitter.

Career totals include 59 games played, a .241 batting average (39-for-162), 2 HR, 15 RBI, 14 runs scored, and a .340 slugging percentage.

Balaz bagan to play in 1974, and appeared in 6 games at home, had 15 at-bats, drove in 0 runs, scored twice, had 2 hits (0 doubles / 0 triples / 0 home runs), walked 2 times (0 intentional), struck out 4 times, was hit by a pitcher 0 times, sacrificed 1 times (1 hits & 0 flies), stole 5 bases, was caught stealing 4 times, ground into 5 double plays, and finished at home with a .133 Batting average, .235 on base percentage and .133 slugging average.

On the road, Balaz appeared in 8 games, had 27 at-bats, drove in 5 runs, scored 2 times, had 8 hits (0 doubles / 0 triples / 1 home runs), walked 0 times (0 intentional), struck out 6 times, was hit by a pitcher 1 times, sacrificed 0 times (0 hits & 0 flies), stole 5 bases, was caught stealing 4 times, ground into 5 double plays, and finished at home with a .296 batting average, .321 on base percentage and .407 slugging average.

On March 3, during Spring training 1976, the Angels traded John Balaz, Dick Sharon, and Dave Machemer, to Boston for former Red Sox star reliever Dick Drago.

[edit] Boston Red Sox

Balaz never played an inning for Boston. It was reported that Drago was sent to the Angels as "the player to be named later" for Denny Doyle (acquired the previous June). The Red Sox still sent minor league pitcher Chuck Ross to the Angels two days later to make everything look more legitimate.

[edit] Post Major League Career

Balaz never again appeared in a big league game. However, he continued his career in Mexico playing for Ciudad Juarez national team. Balaz gained prominence when he played in the 1979 Mexican Playoffs where his team made it to the finals.[1]

Balaz now lives in San Diego, Claifornia with his wife Bonnie, and two Children Lauren, and Justin.

[edit] Trivia

[edit] External links