Monk Dubiel
From BR Bullpen
Walter John Dubiel
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
- Debut April 19, 1944
- Final Game April 29, 1952
- Born February 12, 1918 in Hartford, CT USA
- Died October 23, 1969 in Hartford, CT USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Before the 1941 season Monk Dubiel was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent. "Monk" would spend 1941 with the class C Akron Yankees and the Erie Sailors and the righthander would appear in a combined 28 games and go 14-8 for a 2.44 ERA. Dubiel came by the name of "Monk" in his first year of pro ball in the minor leagues when a teammate noted that his uniform was so small for him that he looked like an organ grinder's monkey.
After winning 16 games in the International League for the Newark Bears, including a no-hitter over the Syracuse Chiefs in 1943, "Monk" became a dependable war time hurler for the New York Yankees, winning a career high 13 games in 1944 an ten in 1945. It should be noted here that Dubiel's career was hindered by a hip and reacurring back ailment that kept him from serving in the Military Service during World War II.
Dubiel was with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1948 and the Chicago Cubs from 1949 to 1952, closing out with a 45-53 record and a 3.87 ERA in seven years in the major leagues.
"Monk" had spent 14 seasons in pro baseball from 1941 through 1954 and had accumulated a journeyman's status with his time in the minors. Dubiel appeared in 252 outings, winning 88 times and losing 71, while pitching 1,288 innings, giving up 1,179 base hits and 443 base on balls, while building a minor league career 3.69 ERA.
After his baseball career, he worked for Rockwell Manufacturing Company and as a postman for the Hartford post office.
Dubiel died of cirrhosis of the liver on October 23, 1969, at the age of 51 in his native Hartford, CT.
[edit] Sources
Baseball-Reference.com
Baseball Players of the 1950s
SABR MILB Database:page
