Gene Hermanski

From BR Bullpen

Eugene Victor Hermanski

Bats Left, Throws Right
HGeight 5' 11½", Weight 185 lb.
School Seton Hall University
Debut August 15, 1943
Final Game September 22, 1953
Born May 11, 1920 in Pittsfield, MA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

The Brooklyn Dodgers' left-handed swinging outfielder Gene Hermanski first came up in 1943 before serving in the Coast Guard during World War II. Gene swung a good bat, hitting between .290 and .299 from 1948 to 1950. But his shortcomings defensively resulted in confrontations with the New York newspapers, who were critical of his fielding problems.

Three of Hermanski's 46 career home runs came in one game on August 5, 1948. He was part of both the 1947 and 1949 pennant-winning Brooklyn teams, and hit .308 (4 for 13) against the Yankees in the 1949 World Series.

He was traded to the Chicago Cubs during the 1951 season in the deal which brought Andy Pafko to the Dodgers. During the 1953 season he was part of another big trade when he was sent to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the multi-player deal which saw Ralph Kiner go from the Pirates to the Cubs. Hermanski closed out his nine-year career that season with a lifetime .272 batting average.

A retired sales representative for Tose Incorporated, in New Jersey, he now (2008) makes his home in Homosassa, FL.