Tommy Glaviano

From BR Bullpen

Thomas Giatano Glaviano (Rabbit)

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 9", Weight 175 lb.
High School Sacramento High School
Debut April 19, 1949
Final Game September 26, 1953
Born October 26, 1923 in Sacramento, CA USA
Died January 19, 2004 in Sacramento, CA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Tommy Glaviano was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1941 season. He would spend his first year in pro ball in the outfield for the Fresno Cardinals of the class C California League, where he appeared in 53 games and had a .253 batting average. He was switched to shortstop in the 1942 year and played 67 games with the Fresno squad again, hitting .221 and he spent 62 outings with the Springfield Cardinals for the balance of the year, hitting at a .225 clip.

The United States Military would be Glaviano's home for the next three years (1943-45). He would serve with the Coast Guard during World War II. Tommy would arrive back in time for the 1946 season, suiting up with the Fresno Cardinals again; he would have his best season during his pro baseball tenure (not adjusting for league quality). The 22-year-old shortstop would get to the plate 435 times, have 147 base hits (including 22 home runs) and hit for a .338 average, along with a .616 slug. Glaviano won the California League MVP award, also leading the league in runs scored with 142 along with 64 stolen bases and started on the All-Star team.

Tommy would have two solid years back-to-back, starting with the 1947 Houston Buffaloes in 1947, hitting .245 with 13 homers. In 1948, Glaviano hit .287 with 18 round-trippers for the Columbus Red Birds. This was more than enough to get him a ticket to Sportsman's Park in 1949 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Glaviano would play four years (1949-52) with the Cardinals as an all-around infielder, with 1950 being his best major league season when he hit .285 in 115 games and busted 11 homers. Tommy would wind up his major league stint in 1953 with the Philadelphia Phillies having an overall career major league record of 389 appearances, a life-time .257 batting average and 24 four-baggers. He also had a career .955 fielding percentage.

Glaviano would spend three more years in pro baseball, winding up in 1957 with the San Antonio Missions, ending a 13-active year run in pro baseball. He had a good minor league record, appearing in 780 contests with 2,495 at-bats, 640 base hits (including 69 home runs) and a .257 minor league average.

Glaviano, who was with the State Department of Motor Vehicles in Sacramento after baseball, retired to Carmichael, CA and died on January 19, 2004, at the age of 79 in Sacramento, CA.