Bob Kuzava facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bob Kuzava |
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Kuzava with the New York Yankees in 1953
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: May 28, 1923 Wyandotte, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Died: May 15, 2017 (aged 93) Wyandotte, Michigan, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 21, 1946, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 29, 1957, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 49–44 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.05 | ||
| Strikeouts | 446 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Robert Leroy "Sarge" Kuzava (May 28, 1923 – May 15, 2017) was an American professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher who played for several teams. These included the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees. Bob was born in Wyandotte, Michigan. He is best known for helping the Yankees win three World Series championships.
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Bob Kuzava's Baseball Career
Bob Kuzava grew up near Detroit. He made his first Major League Baseball game against the Detroit Tigers. This was in 1946, when he played for the Cleveland Indians. He pitched very well, allowing only a few hits.
His Nickname and Military Service
Bob Kuzava was often called "Sarge" or "The White Rat." He earned the nickname "Sarge" because he served in the military. During World War II, he was a military policeman. He served in places like India and Burma.
In 1949, Bob had a great season with the Chicago White Sox. He won 10 games and finished fourth for the American League Rookie of the Year award.
Winning the World Series with the Yankees
Bob Kuzava joined the New York Yankees in 1951. This was a very important move for his career. He helped the Yankees win three World Series in a row. These championships were in 1951, 1952, and 1953.
He played a key role in the final games of the 1951 and 1952 World Series. He got "saves" in these games. A save is when a pitcher finishes a close game without letting the other team score. Even though he was a starting pitcher for the Yankees for three seasons, his big moments in the World Series came when he pitched in relief.
Career Highlights
Over his ten-season career, Bob Kuzava had a strong record. He won 49 games and lost 44. He also had 13 saves. He struck out 446 batters. His earned run average (ERA) was 4.05. In 2003, he was honored by being added to the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.
His Later Years
Bob Kuzava passed away on May 15, 2017. He was almost 94 years old.
