Lou Bekeza
From BR Bullpen
Lewis Bekeza
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
Lou Bekeza played minor league ball from 1938 to 1954, missing the 1942-1945 seasons. After the war, he was a player/manager for many years and also served as general manager of the Centralia Zeroes and Centralia Sterlings in 1950-1951.
Over the course of his 12-year minor league playing career, Bekeza played in at least 1,238 minor league games, collecting at least 1,367 hits.
Bekeza was involved in a situation on July 4, 1947, while managing the Elizabethton Betsy Cubs. During that game, Bekeza started an argument with umpire Jeff Puckett, who ended up being knocked unconscious and getting a broken nose from an angry Elizabethton fan. Bekeza was fined $20 and suspended three games for starting the initial argument, and the team was fined $75 for allowing money to be collected in the stands to pay the fine levied on Puckett's attacker.
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Elizabethton Betsy Cubs | Appalachian League | 68-57 | 3rd | Chicago Cubs | Lost League Finals | |
| 1947 | Elizabethton Betsy Cubs | Appalachian League | 62-64 | 5th | Chicago Cubs | ||
| 1948 | Marion Cubs | Ohio-Indiana League | -- | Chicago Cubs | -- | replaced by Frank Kristie July 1 | |
| Janesville Cubs | Wisconsin State League | 8th | Chicago Cubs | none | replaced Frank Kristie July 2 | ||
| 1949 | Centralia Cubs | Mississippi-Ohio Valley League | 74-44 | 1st | none | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1950 | Centralia Sterlings | Mississippi-Ohio Valley League | 83-40 | 1st | none | Finals cancelled | |
| 1951 | Centralia Zeros | Mississippi-Ohio Valley League | 69-51 | 2nd | none | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1952 | Yuma Panthers | Southwest International League | 62-68 | 4th | none | none | |
| 1954 | Mount Vernon Kings | Mississippi-Ohio Valley League | 57-69 | 8th | none |
