Leo Cristante
Encyclopedia
Dante Leo Cristante was an American
professional baseball
player. A 6 inch, 195 lb (88.5 kg) right-handed pitcher
, he had a 13-year (1947–1959) career as a professional, including 30 games played
at the Major League
level for the Philadelphia Phillies
and the Detroit Tigers
, his hometown team.
Cristante spent the early months of the 1951 season as a member of the Phillies' pitching staff, appearing in ten games, nine in relief
. He earned his only Major League victory
on April 29 against the Boston Braves
. He was called into the game in the first inning at Braves Field
in relief of Bob Miller with Boston in the midst of a six-run rally; Cristante allowed only two earned runs over the next 5⅔ innings as the Phillies came from behind to win, 10–9. Three weeks later, Cristante made his only National League
start
, on May 18 against the Chicago Cubs
at Wrigley Field
. This time, he was routed in the first inning, failing to record an out
(and was relieved, ironically, by Miller). However, the Phillies could not recover and the 18–9 defeat was charged to Cristante.
Cristante spent the next 3½ years in the minors. In 1954, he led the Double-A Southern Association
in wins (24) and winning percentage (.774), and was named to the all-star team. The performance brought him back to Major League Baseball for 1955 with his hometown Tigers, who acquired him in a trade with the Chicago White Sox
. Cristante appeared in 20 games for the 1955 Tigers
, coming out of the bullpen
for all but one appearance. In his lone start, July 27 against the Baltimore Orioles
at Memorial Stadium
, he lasted into the fifth inning and did not earn a decision in an 8–7 Tiger loss. As a Major Leaguer, Cristante allowed 65 hits
and 23 bases on balls in 58⅔ innings, with 15 strikeouts.
Cristante returned to the minor leagues in 1956 and spent the remainder of his career in the high minors in the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers'
organization. He retired after appearing in 383 minor league games, with a 111–92 record.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player. A 6 inch, 195 lb (88.5 kg) right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, he had a 13-year (1947–1959) career as a professional, including 30 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
at the Major League
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
level 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...
and the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, his hometown team.
Cristante spent the early months of the 1951 season as a member of the Phillies' pitching staff, appearing in ten games, nine in relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. He earned his only Major League victory
Decision (baseball)
A decision is a statistical credit given to a baseball pitcher.There are two types of decisions: win and loss.In order to receive a win, the starting pitcher must complete at least five innings and leave with the lead. If the pitcher's lead is preserved by the bullpen, he is credited with a win...
on April 29 against the Boston 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....
. He was called into the game in the first inning at Braves Field
Braves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
in relief of Bob Miller with Boston in the midst of a six-run rally; Cristante allowed only two earned runs over the next 5⅔ innings as the Phillies came from behind to win, 10–9. Three weeks later, Cristante made his only National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
start
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, on May 18 against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. This time, he was routed in the first inning, failing to record an out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
(and was relieved, ironically, by Miller). However, the Phillies could not recover and the 18–9 defeat was charged to Cristante.
Cristante spent the next 3½ years in the minors. In 1954, he led the Double-A Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
in wins (24) and winning percentage (.774), and was named to the all-star team. The performance brought him back to Major League Baseball for 1955 with his hometown Tigers, who acquired him in a trade with 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...
. Cristante appeared in 20 games for the 1955 Tigers
1955 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the American League with a record of 79-75, 17 games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
, coming out of the bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
for all but one appearance. In his lone start, July 27 against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
at Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)
Memorial Stadium was a sports stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, that formerly stood on 33rd Street on an over-sized block also bounded by Ellerslie Avenue , 36th Street , and Ednor Road...
, he lasted into the fifth inning and did not earn a decision in an 8–7 Tiger loss. As a Major Leaguer, Cristante allowed 65 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and 23 bases on balls in 58⅔ innings, with 15 strikeouts.
Cristante returned to the minor leagues in 1956 and spent the remainder of his career in the high minors in the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers'
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
organization. He retired after appearing in 383 minor league games, with a 111–92 record.