Dick Rozek
From BR Bullpen
Richard Louis Rozek
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
- Debut April 29, 1950
- Final Game May 16, 1954
- Born March 27, 1927 in Cedar Rapids, IA USA
- Died September 27, 2001 in Indio, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Left-hander Dick Rozek was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cleveland Indians on December 15, 1946 after being recommended by Bob Feller who had been his teammate with the Great Lakes Navy team during World War II. Dick would spend two seasons in the minors with less then average success. Then, in his third year out, while with the Wilkes-Barre Indians of the Eastern League, he would win ten games while tossing a no-hitter at the Elmira Pioneers on July 7, 1948.
The following season Dick would throw his second no-hitter, this one while with the Oklahoma City Indians, setting down the San Antonio Missions on August 8, 1949 without a blow. Rozek would also lead the Texas League with 145 strikeouts. This was also his first season with a record over .500, going 8-7 with a 3.98 ERA while pitching 163 innings.
Rozek would spend the next three seasons, 1950 through 1952 with the Cleveland Indians and did win his only major league decision in 33 appearances. Dick was then traded to the Philadelphia Athletics for Bob Hooper on December 19, 1952 and pitched only briefly for the Philadelphia club in 1953 and 1954. This would finish Dick's major league run with a 1-0 record and a 4.55 ERA while pitching 65 innings.
Dick would spend one more season in baseball, finishing out his minor league six-year run with the Little Rock Travelers of the Southern Association. Dick's career minor league record showed 40 wins and 63 losses and a 4.19 ERA while pitching 860 innings. After baseball, Dick returned to his hometown of Cedar Rapids, IA, where he was the owner of an appliance company called Centric Incorporated.
Rojek passed away on September 27, 2001 at the age of 74 in Indio, CA.
