Ted Lepcio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ted Lepcio |
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| Infielder | |||
| Born: July 28, 1929 Utica, New York, U.S. |
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| Died: December 11, 2019 (aged 90) Dedham, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 15, 1952, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 11, 1961, for the Minnesota Twins | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .245 | ||
| Home runs | 69 | ||
| RBI | 251 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Thaddeus Stanley "Ted" Lepcio (July 28, 1929 – December 11, 2019) was an American professional baseball player. He was known as a "utility infielder," which means he could play several different positions in the infield. Ted played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for teams like the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, and Minnesota Twins.
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Ted Lepcio's Baseball Journey
Ted Lepcio was born on July 28, 1929. He grew up to become a talented baseball player. Before joining the major leagues, he attended Seton Hall University. He also played semi-professional baseball in Oneida, New York.
Starting His MLB Career
In 1951, the Boston Red Sox signed Ted as an amateur free agent. This meant he was not drafted but was free to sign with any team. He played his very first MLB game in 1952. Most of his professional career was spent playing for the Red Sox.
A Versatile Player
Ted was known as a utility infielder. This means he was good at playing different positions in the infield. He could play second base, third base, or shortstop. This made him a very valuable player for his team.
His best year was 1956. That season, he hit 15 home runs. Nine of those home runs came in a very short time, over just eighteen days!
Helping a Teammate
Ted Lepcio is also mentioned in a book called Fear Strikes Out by Jimmy Piersall. Ted was Jimmy's roommate during the 1952 season. Jimmy Piersall faced some mental health challenges at that time. Ted often helped protect Jimmy from difficult situations with other teammates.
Later Career and Retirement
On July 13, 1961, Ted hit a grand slam while playing for the Minnesota Twins. A grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases loaded, scoring four runs. This grand slam happened in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians. It helped the Twins win the game 9 to 6.
Ted Lepcio retired from baseball after the 1961 season. After his baseball career, he became a vice president of sales. He worked for a trucking company called St Johnsbury Trucking Co Inc in New England. He also stayed involved with baseball. He often helped organize events for the Red Sox. Ted Lepcio passed away on December 11, 2019, in Dedham, Massachusetts.
