Mike Palagyi
From BR Bullpen
Michael Raymond Palagyi
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 185 lb.
- Debut August 18, 1939
- Final Game August 18, 1939
- Born July 4, 1917 in Conneaut, OH USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Ohio native Mike Palagyi spent five active years in professional baseball from 1936 to 1940. These five seasons were all spent in the minor leagues with the exception of one eventful date. On August 18, 1939 he made his one and only appearance in the big leagues with the Washington Senators. Below are his thoughts of his one chance in the the show.
"I threw but two strikes out of 15 pitches." - a comment from Palagyi to author Richard Tellis, quoted in a New York Times article from April 4, 1999
Yes, Palagyi gave up three runs without getting any outs in his only major league appearance, but it is said that three of the four batters were future Hall of Famers.
Four major leaguers have been born in Conneaut, OH the most prominent of which is Mark Wagner.
Palagyi also spent several years in the United States Military during World War II.
Mike had started his professional career as an 18 year old with the Monessen Indians, of the class D Pennsylvania State Association in 1936, and went 13-7 with a 3.94 ERA his first year on the hill. He followed that up with an 18-9 record in 1937 with the Springfield Indians of the class C Middle Atlantic League. He had two more double-digit win seasons in his arm and in 1938 he won 12 for the Spartanburg Spartans of the class B South Atlantic League and in 1940 he picked up 13 more wins for the Greenville Spinners of the same league. Mike was 7-6 for the year in his fateful date with the Senators.
Palagyi had a 63-52 record and a 4.25 ERA in 151 games during his minor league run. But he is best remembered for that one fateful day. There are other records to look forward to, as of this writing, March 1, 2011, Palagyi is the 20th oldest player (93) with major league time still living, plus he is 8th on the list of pitchers.
