Mickey Witek

Nicholas Joseph Witek

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 170 lb.
• Debut April 16, 1940
• Final Game May 1, 1949
• Born December 19, 1915 in Luzerne, PA USA
• Died August 24, 1990 in Kingston, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Mickey Witek spent four years (1936-39) in the New York Yankee organization but never got a call-up to the major league team that won the World Series each of those seasons. A stellar 1939 campaign, leading the International League in hits, and placing fourth in doubles, runs and RBI, prompted a trade to the New York Giants where he made his major league debut as New York's regular shortstop in 1940. Moving to second base, Witek split time in 1941 between the Giants and their International League affiliate in Jersey City, New Jersey, before becoming New York's everyday second baseman in 1942 and 1943. Witek led NL second basemen in putouts, assists and fielding percentage in 1942, and then posted his best offensive season the next year, with 195 hits and a .314 batting average, ranking second and fifth, respectively, in the NL. Mickey homered twice against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 11th, 1943, including a walk-off blast, and then walked-off the Boston Braves with his next homer on September 11th of the same season.

Mickey entered the Coast Guard in November 1943 and was discharged in January 1946. He returned to the Giants in 1946 and 1947 as a part-time player, then finished his professional career with three minor league seasons in the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankee organizations.

Witek is one of four modern era players with a rookie season including 100 or more hits, but less than 10% of them for extra bases. Mickey's .277 career batting average is the fourth highest mark among modern era Giants with 400 or more games at second base. Witek hit 20 of his 22 career home runs playing at home, the second highest rate (behind Frank Parkinson) among modern era players with 20 or more career home runs.

Notable Achievements

• 1939 MVP International League Newark Bears
• NL Singles Leader (1943)