Alex Monchak
Encyclopedia
Alex Monchak is a former shortstop
who played briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies
during the season. Listed at 6'0", 180 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.
, Monchak was one of many major leaguers who saw his baseball career interrupted by a stint in the army during World War II
. In one season career, he was a .143 hitter (2-for-14) with one run
and one stolen base
in 19 games.
Following his playing career, Monchak became a Minor League
manager
from 1949 to 1961, acting as a player/manager through 1956, and winning four championship titles. He later served as a scout
and instructor in the California Angels system (1962–70) and coached
(under manager Chuck Tanner
) in the majors for the Chicago White Sox
(1971–75), Oakland Athletics
(1976), Pittsburgh Pirates
(1977–84) and Atlanta Braves
(1986–88). He was a member of the Pirates' 1979
world championship team.
At , Monchak is recognized as one of the oldest living major league ballplayers. He was named the 2009 winner of the Roland Hemond
Award by Baseball America
in December 2009. The award recognizes baseball figures who have made long-term contributions to scouting and player development operations.
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
who played briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
during the season. Listed at 6'0", 180 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.
Biography
A native of Bayonne, New JerseyBayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Located in the Gateway Region, Bayonne is a peninsula that is situated between Newark Bay to the west, the Kill van Kull to the south, and New York Bay to the east...
, Monchak was one of many major leaguers who saw his baseball career interrupted by a stint in the army during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In one season career, he was a .143 hitter (2-for-14) with one run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
and one stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
in 19 games.
Following his playing career, Monchak became a Minor League
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
from 1949 to 1961, acting as a player/manager through 1956, and winning four championship titles. He later served as a scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
and instructor in the California Angels system (1962–70) and coached
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
(under manager Chuck Tanner
Chuck Tanner
Charles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979...
) in the majors for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1971–75), Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(1976), Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1977–84) and Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1986–88). He was a member of the Pirates' 1979
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates had 98 wins and 64 losses and captured the National League East Division title by two games over the Montreal Expos. The Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds to win their ninth National League title, and the Baltimore Orioles to win their fifth World Series title - and also...
world championship team.
At , Monchak is recognized as one of the oldest living major league ballplayers. He was named the 2009 winner of the Roland Hemond
Roland Hemond
Roland Hemond is a longtime executive in Major League Baseball who in 2007 returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks as Special Assistant to the President, Derrick Hall...
Award by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
in December 2009. The award recognizes baseball figures who have made long-term contributions to scouting and player development operations.
Minor League Championship Titles
| Year | Team | League | Organization |
| Odessa Oilers | Longhorn League | None | |
| Lexington Indians | Tar Heel League | None | |
| Wellsville Braves | PONY League | Milwaukee Braves | |
| Cedar Rapids Braves | Three-I League | Milwaukee Braves | |