Al Silvera
From BR Bullpen
Aaron Albert Silvera
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.
- School University of Southern California
- High School Fairfax High School (LA)
- Debut June 12, 1955
- Final Game May 8, 1956
- Born August 26, 1935 in San Diego, CA USA
- Died July 24, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Al Silvera was a star in his one year at the University of Southern California who was signed by the Cincinnati Reds and brought up to the major leagues at age 19 without any minor league experience.
He was a high school star at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. Before college, he played in the local Western League in Los Angeles in 1952, where he was named to the First Team. In 1953-54 he was again in the Western League and named Player of the Year both times. In 1955, he went to college, and after being named Freshman Player of the Year, the Reds offered him $50,000 and a car to sign with them.
Al was on the roster of the Reds for two years, but he suffered an injury and didn't appear in many games.
After baseball, he worked in Los Angeles for a manufacturer. He coached Little League for 15 years and was active in the Jewish community in L.A. He died in 2003 after a 25-year struggle with brain cancer.
He was named in 2003 to the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
Sources: Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame; Jews in Sports
