| John Balaz | |
|---|---|
| Left fielder | |
| Born: November 24, 1950 Toronto, Ontario |
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| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 10, 1974 for the California Angels | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 28, 1975 for the California Angels | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .241 |
| Home runs | 2 |
| Runs batted in | 15 |
| Teams | |
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John Lawrence Balaz (born Friday, November 24, 1950, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) was a professional baseball player. Balaz was 23 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 10, 1974, with the California Angels. He also played with Mexican Team Obregon City Yaquis.
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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 home runs, 15 RBI, 14 runs scored, and a .340 slugging percentage.
Balaz began to play in 1974, and appeared in 14 games that season, in which he had 42 at bats, scored four times, had 10 hits (nine singles and one home run), drove in 5 runs, walked twice, struck out 10 times, had one sacrifice hit, and was hit by pitch once. He finished with a .238 batting average, .289 on base percentage and .310 slugging percentage.
On March 3, 1976, during spring training, the Angels traded Balaz, Dick Sharon, and Dave Machemer to the Boston Red Sox for former Red Sox star reliever Dick Drago. Balaz was sent down to the minor leagues, and never played for the Red Sox. 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.
Balaz never again appeared in a big league game. After playing for the Rhode Island Red Sox in 1976, he split the 1977 season between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres minor league organizations. He continued his career in Mexico playing for Ciudad Juárez 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, California with his wife Bonnie, and two Children Lauren, and Justin.