| Position | Pitcher |
|---|---|
| Bats | Right |
| Throws | Right |
| Birth date | February 6, 1932 |
| Birth place | Madera, California, U.S. |
| Death date | July 12, 2014 (aged 82) |
| Death place | Modesto, California, U.S. |
| Debutleague | MLB |
| Debutdate | April 28 |
| Debutyear | 1951 |
| Debutteam | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| Finalleague | MLB |
| Finaldate | September 22 |
| Finalyear | 1951 |
| Finalteam | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| Statleague | MLB |
| Stat1label | Win–loss record |
| Stat1value | 0–1 |
| Stat2label | Earned run average |
| Stat2value | 6.67 |
| Stat3label | Innings |
| Stat3value | 27 |
| Teams |
William John Koski (February 6, 1932 – July 12, 2014) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Listed at 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), 185 lb (84 kg), he batted and threw right handed.[1] Born in Madera, California, Koski was one of the many young players whose baseball careers were interrupted by military service in Korean War.
He starred at Modesto High School and, at age 18 in June 1950, signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, receiving a signing bonus of $6,000 (), just under the threshold to avoid being affected by the bonus rule.[2]
He pitched in 13 games for the Pirates during the 1951 season. He posted a 0–1 record and a 6.67 earned run average, allowing 23 runs (20 earned) on 26 hits and 28 walks, while striking out seven in 27.0 innings of work.[1]
In his only starting assignment, Koski lasted 4 1⁄3 innings against the New York Giants at Polo Grounds, giving up three earned runs on four hits and six walks, striking out two of the 23 batters he faced. The Giants won, 8–3, as he was credited with the loss.[3]
′′T-Bone′′, as he was nicknamed, started 1952 back in the Minor Leagues, but his stuff impressed Pirates' owner Branch Rickey so much that the club tried to recall Koski to the big club early in August. Koski, however, had been drafted into the Army and needed to report for duty on August 21.[4]
Following his discharge in 1954, Koski returned to the minors and pitched until 1957.[5] In a seven-season career, he had a record of 39-48 with a 4.14 ERA in 138 pitching appearances.[5]
After retiring, Koski moved to Modesto, California, where he worked as a draftsman for the Stanislaus County Planning Department. Besides, he stayed involved in amateur baseball as a coach in youth leagues and as the pitching coach at California State University, Stanislaus.[citation needed]
Koski died in 2014 at the age of 82 in Modesto.[1]
Sources
- ^ "Baseball Reference – Major League career"
- ^ "Modesto Pitcher Signs Contract with Pirates". Stockton Evening and Sunday Record. Associated Press. 29 June 1950. p. 34. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Retrosheet box score : New York Giants 8, Pittsburgh Pirates 3. Game Played on Saturday, May 5, 1951 (D) at Polo Grounds V
- ^ The Modesto Bee : Jeff Jardine column - Top News
- ^ "Baseball Reference – Minor League career"
Further reading
- Dennis Snelling: A Glimpse of Fame, McFarland & Company, Jefferson N.C., 1993, pp. 5–18