Alex Konikowski
From BR Bullpen
Alexander James Konikowski (Whitey)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 187 lb.
- Debut June 16, 1948
- Final Game July 29, 1954
- Born June 8, 1928 in Throop, PA USA
- Died September 28, 1997 in Seymour, CT USA
[edit] Biographical Information
At the young age of sixteen, Alex Konikowski was signed by the New York Giants as an amateur free agent before the 1944 season. The Giants assigned the lad to the Erie Sailors of the class D PONY League. Alex went 6-7 with a 3.82 ERA in '44 and turned right around for the same team in 1945 and went 9-8 with a 3.22 ERA.
Young Konikowski had a very strong season in 1947, as a nineteen-year-old, winning 14 and losing 8 with a 3.18 ERA for the Manchester Giants of the New England League, opening the door to the Polo Grounds, and it would be on June 16 of the 1948 season that young Al would make his debut with the New York Giants.
He was up to the task, going 2-3 in 22 appearances in 1948. According to Al he would have seen more action if he had let manager Leo Durocher win their gin rummy games. Al explains, "In '48 when I came up with the Giants I beat Leo in a game of gin rummy on a train ride from New York to Boston. I don't think he ever forgave me, he hardly used me in three different seasons." (1948-1951-1954) Over the three years he got one start in 35 games and went 2-3 lifetime.
However, Alex pitched well for the Minneapolis Millers in 1949 with a 11-7 record. He also had success for the Ottawa Giants in 1951 with an 8-7 and a 2.59 ERA. He did pitch one scoreless inning out of the bullpen in the 1951 World Series against the World Champions to be, New York Yankees. Al would fall badly in 1952 going 3-8 for the Minneapolis Millers, appearing in 15 games. He then would be called up for service in the United States Military in 1953-1954 during the Korean War.
On his return, he went 11-8 for Minneapolis in 1955 and broke even in 1956 with a 6-6 record split between the Minneapolis Millers and the Portland Beavers of the PCL. He decided to seek another way of life, making this his final season. Alex wound up his 11-year minor league run with an 83-82 record and a 4.19 ERA. After baseball, Al worked as a plumber for many years. He passed away on September 27, 1997. at age 69 in Seymour, CT.
