Steve Sundra

Stephen Richard (Steve) Sundra (March 27, 1910 - March 23, 1952) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played during eight seasons for the New York Yankees (1936, 1938–1940), Washington Senators (1941–1942) and St. Louis Browns (1942–1944, 1946). He batted and threw right-handed.

A native of Luxor, Pennsylvania, Steve Sundra was the son of a coal miner. The family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when he was 16 and Sundra starred in sandlot ball there. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians and made his pro debut in 1932, moving up to Toledo in 1934. Cleveland optioned Sundra to Minneapolis and Newark in 1935, and the Yankees obtained him in a three pitchers deal in December, along with Monte Pearson, in exchange for Johnny Allen. His career in the American League ran from 1936 to early in 1946, with time out for Army service during the World War II.

In 1936, Sundra posted a 12-9 record for the Newark Bears, leading the International League pitchers with a 2.84 ERA. After one relief appearance for the Yankees in April, 1937, he was optioned back to Newark. The Bears won the IL championship with an amazing 109-43 mark, and Sundra went 15-4, ranking eighth in the league in ERA (3.09), and was selected for the All-Star Game. His career in the American League ran from 1938 to early in 1946, with time out for Army service during the World War II.

Sundra was a member of the World Champion Yankees in 1938. He won his last four starts during the regular season, then ran off 11 straight victories (three in relief) for the 1939 AL pennant-winners before losing his last start of the season. He appeared in Game Four of the 1939 World Series, pitching three hitless, shutout innings of relief.

Nevertheless, in 1940 Sundra faded, going 4-6, and the next year was sold to the Washington Senators, who in turn sent him to the St. Louis Browns in the 1942 midseason. He won 15 games in 1943, and before entering the Army the next year, he went 2-0. Sundra rejoined the Browns for spring training in 1946 after his discharge, but was released on May 29. That was the end of his baseball career.

Later, Sundra sued the Browns under the G.I. Bill, claiming that he should have been kept on the roster for one year. He asked for $5,413, the difference between what he had been paid and his 1946 salary, but lost in Federal court in a decision rendered in 1949. He worked in construction until he fell ill in late 1950.

Steve Sundra died in Cleveland, Ohio, four days before his 42nd birthday, a victim of cancer. He is buried in Cleveland's Calvary Cemetery.

MLB pitching statistics

Sources

• Baseball Almanac
• Baseball Library
• Baseball Reference
• The Deadball Era
• 1937 Newark Bears