Dick Rozek

Richard Louis Rozek (March 27, 1927 – September 27, 2001) was an American professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher whose pro career lasted for nine seasons, and included appearances in 33 games pitched in the Major Leagues as a member of the Cleveland Indians (1950–52) and Philadelphia Athletics (1953–54). He was listed as 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and 190 pounds (86 kg).

A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who attended Immaculate Conception High School in that city, he signed with the Indians prior to the 1947 season. In the minor leagues, Rozek struggled with his command, leading the Class A Eastern League in bases on balls (with 180 in 198 innings pitched) in 1948, and walking 146 men in 163 innings the following year in the Double-A Texas League (he led the league in strikeouts, with 145).^[1] Rozek then spent three full seasons in the Major Leagues, although he worked in only 29 games (four as a starting pitcher) over that span.

On September 28, 1952, he recorded his only Major League decision, a victory over the Detroit Tigers. Rozek went six innings, allowing one run, five hits, all singles, and two bases on balls. He left for a pinch hitter with his Indians ahead, 3–1, in a game they ultimately won, 8–2.^[2] It was also Rozek's last game in a Cleveland uniform. Not quite three months later, on December 19, 1952, he was traded to the Athletics with a minor leaguer for pitcher Bob Hooper. Apart from in four appearances as a relief pitcher for the A's over the next two seasons, he spent the rest of his career in the minors, leaving the game after the 1955 season.

In 33 total big-league games, and 65⅓ innings pitched, Rozek allowed 65 hits and 55 bases on balls, with 26 strikeouts.

References

↑ Wolff, Miles, and Johnson, Lloyd, eds., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007
↑ 1952-9-28 box score from Retrosheet

External links

Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference

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