Eddie Stanky was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues for 11 seasons. He was known for his fiery personality and his ability to get on base. Stanky played second base and was a switch hitter. He was born in Philadelphia in 1915 and grew up playing baseball in the sandlots of his hometown.
Stanky began his professional career in 1936 with the Albany Senators of the Eastern League. He played for several minor league teams before making his Major League debut with the Chicago Cubs in 1943. Stanky played for the Cubs for two seasons before being traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1944.
Stanky played for the Dodgers for four seasons and was a key player on their 1947 National League Championship team. He was known for his ability to draw walks and his aggressive base running. Stanky was also a great defensive player and won the Gold Glove award in 1946.
In 1950, Stanky was traded to the Boston Braves. He played for the Braves for two seasons before being traded to the New York Giants in 1952. Stanky played for the Giants for two seasons before being traded back to the Braves in 1954.
Stanky retired from playing after the 1953 season but came out of retirement to play for the Braves in 1954. He played in the World Series that year and helped the Braves win their first championship since 1914. Stanky retired for good after the 1955 season.
After his playing career, Stanky became a manager. He managed the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and Texas Rangers. Stanky was known for his fiery personality and his ability to motivate his players. He was also known for his unorthodox coaching methods, such as having his players practice bunting in the dark.
Stanky was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1972. He died in 1999 at the age of 84. Stanky was a great player and a great manager who left a lasting impact on the game of baseball.
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