Dick Lajeskie
From BR Bullpen
Richard Edward Lajeskie
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.
- Debut September 10, 1946
- Final Game September 22, 1946
- Born January 8, 1926 in Passaic, NJ USA
- Died August 15, 1976 in Ramsey, NJ USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Dick Lajeskie was signed for the New York Giants by scout Nick Shinkoff when he was a junior at Passaic, NJ High School for a bonus of $10,000 and $400 a month salary in 1943. He had also been scouted by Frank Rickey. His father Lajeskie had been a professional baseball player in the Red Sox organization (1928-1929) and his brother Charles Lajeskie a minor league player/War Vet for three years, 1942 to 1948. This was the highest amount paid as a bonus since Dick Wakefield. He was sent to Jersey City, NJ in the Class AAA International League but after two months in the 1944 season went into the Marines, where he served in 1944-1945 (BN). In 1946 after discharge he returned to Jersey City and was called up by the Giants in September and appeared in six games as a second baseman. He had reportedly gained a lot a weight aboard ship in the service and did not play any more in the major leagues, but played in the minors until 1951. He was the regional manager of the reference division of Encyclopedia Brittanica. He died at his home at age 50 and is buried at Mayrest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ.
