Eastern League Standings on August 25, 1954

Source: Ithaca Journal via Newspapers.com

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

 

Today's Birthday: Tony Bernazard (Quebec Metros, 1976-77)

Credits: Donruss via Trading Card Database

 

Happy 64th birthday to former Eastern League prospect Tony Bernazard. He played for the 1976 and '77 Quebec Metros.

Bernazard played in the majors during 10 seasons for the Montreal Expos (1979-80), Chicago White Sox (1981-83), Seattle Mariners (1983), Cleveland Indians 1984-87), Oakland Athletics (1987) and Detroit Tigers (1991).

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

 

Today's Birthday: Gary Boyd (Pawtucket Indians, 1966-67)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 74th Birthday to former Eastern League prospect Gary Boyd. He played for the 1966 and '67 Pawtucket Indians.

Boyd pitched in 8 games for the Cleveland Indians in 1969.  

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Jim Finigan (Binghamton Triplets, 1950, '53)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Cards Database

Former Eastern League prospect Jim Finigan was born on this date in 1928. He played for the Binghamton Triplets during the 1950 and 1953 seasons.

Finigan played in the majors during 6 seasons for the Philadephia (1954) & Kansas City (1955-56) Athletics, Detroit Tigers (1957), San Francisco Giants (1958) and Baltimore Orioles (1959). He was an American League All-Star in 1954 and 1955.

He died on May 16, 1981 at the age of 52.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Mike "Spanky" LaValliere (Reading Phillies, 1983-84)

Credits: TCMA Ltd. via Trading Card Database

Happy 60th birthday to former Eastern League prospect Mike "Spanky" LaValliere. He played for the Reading Phillies in 1983 and 1984.

LaValliere played in the majors during 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1984), St. Louis Cardinals (1985-86), Pittsburgh Pirates (1987-93) and Chicago White Sox (1993-95). He received National League Gold Glove for Catchers in 1987.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

 

Today's Birthday: Duke Markell (Utica Blue Sox, 1948-49)

Credits: American Jewish Historic Society via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Duke Markell was born in Paris, France on this date in 1923. He played in the Eastern League for the Utica Blue Sox in 1948 and '49.

Markell pitched in 5 game for the 1951 St. Louis Browns.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

 

Today's Birthday: Willie "Puddin Head" Jones (Utica Blue Sox, 1948)

Credits: Red Man Chew via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Willie "Puddin Head" Jones was born on this date in 1925. He played for the Utica Blue Sox in 1948.

A member of the 1950 Whiz Kids, Jones played in the majors during 15 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1947, '48-''59), Cleveland Indians (1959) and Cincinnati Reds (1959-61). He was a National League All-Star in 1950 & '51.

Jones died of cancer on October 18, 1983, at age of 58.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Seth Morehead (Schenectady Blue Jays, 1954)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Seth Morehead was born on this date in 1934. He pitched for the Schenectady Blue Jays in 1954 (14-13, 3.08 ERA).

Morehead played in the majors during 5 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1957-59), Chicago Cubs (1959-60) and Milwaukee Braves (1961).

He died on January 17, 2006 at the age of 71.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Earl Weaver (Elmira Pioneers manager, 1962-65)

Credits: York Dispatch via Newspapers.com

Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver was born on this date in 1930. He managed in the Eastern League for the Elmira Pioneers for four seasons (1962-65).

Weaver managed the Baltimore Orioles for 17 seasons, compiling a career record of 2541-1480. He led the Orioles to four American League pennants and one World Series Championship and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.

He died on January 19, 2013, at the age of 82.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

 

Today's Birthday: Jim "Mudcat" Grant (Reading Indians, 1956)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

 

Happy 85th birthday to former Eastern League prospect Mudcat Grant. He pitched for the 1956 Reading Indians (12-13, 3.72 ERA).

Grant played in the majors for 14 seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1958-64), Minnesota Twins (1964-67), Los Angeles Dodgers (1968), Montreal Expos (1969), St. Louis Cardinals (1969), Oakland Athletics (1970, '71) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1970-71).

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Bob Buhl (Hartford Chiefs, 1949)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Bob Buhl was born on this date in 1928. He pitched for the Hartford Chiefs in 1949 (8-8, 4.42 ERA).

Buhl played in the majors for 15 seasons with the Milwaukee Braves (1953-62), Chicago Cubs (1962-66) and Philadelphia Phillies (1966-67). He pitched in the 1957 World Series and was a National League All-Star in 1960.

He died on February 16, 2001 at the age of 72.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Bob Chakales (Utica Blue Sox, 1945, '47-'48 & Wilkes Barre Indians, 1949-50)

Credits: Bowman Gum via Trading Card Database

 Former Eastern League prospect Bob Chakales was born on this date in 1927. He played in the Eastern League during five seasons with the Utica Blue Sox (1945, '47-'48) and Wilkes Barre Indians (1949-50).

Chakales pitched in the majors for 7 seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1951-54), Baltimore Orioles (1955), Chicago White Sox (1955), Washington Senators (1955-57) and Boston Red Sox (1957).

After his baseball career, he built golf courses and served as president of the Golf Course Builders of America Association. Chakales died on February 18, 2010, at the age of 82.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Chuck Essegian (Schenectady Blue Jays, 1957)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

 

Happy 89th birthday to former Eastern League prospect Chuck Essegian. He played for the Schenectady Blue Jays in 1957. 

Essegian played in the majors during 6 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1958), St. Louis Cardinals (1959), Los Angeles Dodgers (1959-60), Baltimore Orioles (1961), Kansas City Athletics (1961, '63), Cleveland Indians (1961-62).

After his baseball career, Essegian worked as an attorney in California.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Greg Mahlberg (Pittsfield Rangers, 1975)

Credits: Cramer/Crush via Trading Card Database

Happy 68th birthday to former Eastern League prospect Greg Mahlberg. He played for the 1975 Pittsfield Rangers.

Mahlberg played for the Texas Rangers during two seasons, appearing in one game in 1978 and 7 games in 1979.

After he retired, he coached and managed for several seasons in the minor leagues.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

Today’s Birthday: Ray Crone (Hartford Chiefs, 1951-52)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

 

Happy 89th Birthday to former Eastern League prospect Ray Crone. He played for the Hartford Chiefs in 1951 and ’52.

He pitched in the majors during 5 seasons with the Milwaukee Braves (1954-57) and New York/San Francisco Giants (1957-58).

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Ray Culp (Williamsport Grays, 1961-62)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 79th birthday to former Eastern League prospect Ray Culp. He played for the Williamsport Grays in 1961 and '62.

Culp pitched in the majors for 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1963-66), Chicago Cubs (1967) and Boston Red Sox (1968-73). He finished his major league career with a 122-101 record and an ERA of 3.58.

After his baseball career, Culp became successful in real estate in Austin, Texas.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Ebba St. Claire (Albany Senators, 1942, '45-'46)

Credits: Johnston Cookies via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Ebba St. Claire was born on this date in 1921. St. Claire played for the Albany Senators for three seasons (1942, '45 & '46).

St. Claire played in the majors for the Boston (1951-52) and Milwaukee (1953) Braves and New York Giants (1954).

He died on August 22, 1982 at the age of 61.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today’s Birthday: Joe Pignatano (Elmira Pioneers, 1954)

Credits: Post Cereal via Trading Card Database

Happy 91st Birthday to former Eastern League prospect Joe Pignatano. He played for the 1954 Elmira Pioneers.

Pignatano played in the majors for six seasons with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1957-60), Kansas City Athletics (1961), San Francisco Giants (1962) and New York Mets (1962).

After his played career, he coached for the Washington Senators (1965-67), New York Mets (1968-81) and Atlanta Braves (1982).

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

On This Date: August 3, 1970

The Reading Phillies lead the Eastern League, one game up on the Waterbury Pirates. The Elmira Pioneers are in last place.

Source: Elmira Star-Gazette via Newspapers.com

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today’s Birthday: John Pregenzer, Springfield Giants, 1962)

Credits: Larry Fritsch Cards via Trading Card Database

Happy 88th birthday to former Eastern League prospect John Pregenzer. He played for the 1962 Springfield Giants (14-9, 2.85 ERA).

Pregenzer pitched for the San Francisco Giants during two seasons (1963-64), appearing in a total of 19 games and finishing his career with a 2-0 record and an ERA of 4.88.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today’s Birthday: Tommy Smith (Elmira Pioneers, 1972)

Credits: O-Pee-Chee via Trading Card Database

Happy 72nd Birthday to former Eastern League prospect Tommy Smith. He played for the 1972
Elmira Pioneers.

Smith played in the majors during five seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1973-76) and Seattle Mariners (1977).

After he retired as a played, Smith operated baseball instruction camps.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.