Dino Chiozza
From BR Bullpen
Dino Joseph Chiozza
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 170 lb.
- Debut July 14, 1935
- Final Game July 15, 1935
- Born June 30, 1912 in Memphis, TN USA
- Died April 23, 1972 in Memphis, TN USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Dino Chiozza's Major League career spanned two exciting days in July 1935. His first appearance came on July 14 in the second game of the Philadelphia Phillies-St. Louis Cardinals doubleheader. Before the first game, Commissioner Landis awarded the Cardinals their World Series rings then watched as the Gashouse Gang twice knocked the Phillies down. After watching from the Phillies' bench as Paul Dean made light work of the Phils in the first game, he entered the second contest as a defensive replacement for SS Mickey Haslin. There he formed a double play combination with his brother, Lou Chiozza, and made one putout in his only career fielding chance.
The next day, in Chicago, he was tabbed to pinch-run for Johnny Moore with 2 out in the top of the 9th inning against the Cubs. Manager Charlie Grimm respected his speed enough to pull Gabby Hartnett off the bench to catch, hoping to keep Chiozza from stealing. Dino advanced on Johnny Vergez' walk, then scored the game-tying run from second on Joe Bowman's pinch-hit single to left. He played the 9th and 10th innings at shortstop without a fielding chance. Like the fabled Moonlight Graham, Dino never appeared at-bat, coming the closest in the top of the 10th inning. He was on-deck when George Watkins flied out to end the Phillies' half of the inning. He then played the bottom of the 10th in the field, after which he never returned to a Major League game.
Interesting to note that in the 9th inning of Dino's final game (July 15, 1935), with Dino at shortstop, his brother Lou Chiozza at second base and relief pitcher Pretzel Pezzullo on the mound, it marked the only time that three "ZZ" players appeared in the field for one Major League team at the same time.
