Mike Sandlock
Encyclopedia
Michael Joseph Sandlock (born October 17, 1915) is a former utility
in Major League Baseball
who played for three different teams between 1942
and 1953
. Listed at 6' 1", 180 lb., he was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed. He was born in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.
Basically a catcher
, Sandlock also saw action at shortstop
and at second and third base
s. He entered the majors in 1942 with the Boston Braves
, spending one year with them before serving during World War II
(1943). After his discharge, he returned to Boston (1944) and later played for the Brooklyn Dodgers
(1945–46). He also spent time in the Pacific Coast League
with the Hollywood Stars
(1949–1952) and returned to major league with the Pittsburgh Pirates
in 1953, his last major league year. His most productive season came in 1945 with Brooklyn, when he hit .282 with two home run
s and 17 runs batted in in 80 games played
, all career-highs.
In a five-season career, Sandlock was a .240 hitter (107-for-446) with two home runs and 31 RBI in 195 games, including 34 runs
, 19 doubles
, two triples
, and two stolen base
s.
Sandlock is recognized as one of the oldest living major league ballplayers. As of November 2011, he is considered to be the third-oldest living former major league player.
He is an active golf
er and stays very active in the BAAT organization, which helps older baseball players that do not have health insurance and may need some medical assistance.
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
in Major League Baseball
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...
who played for three different teams between 1942
1942 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees *All-Star Game, July 6 at Polo Grounds: American League, 3-1-Other champions:*Negro Leagues World Series: Kansas City Monarchs over Homestead Grays...
and 1953
1953 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers *All-Star Game, July 14 at Crosley Field: National League, 5-1-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Cangrejeros de Santurce *College World Series: Michigan...
. Listed at 6' 1", 180 lb., he was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed. He was born in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.
Basically a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
, Sandlock also saw action at shortstop
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...
and at second and third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
s. He entered the majors in 1942 with 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....
, spending one year with them before serving 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...
(1943). After his discharge, he returned to Boston (1944) and later played for the Brooklyn 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...
(1945–46). He also spent time in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
with the Hollywood Stars
Hollywood Stars
The Hollywood Stars were a minor league baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League during the early and mid 20th century. They were the arch-rivals of the other Los Angeles based PCL team, the Los Angeles Angels.-Hollywood Stars :...
(1949–1952) and returned to major league with the 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...
in 1953, his last major league year. His most productive season came in 1945 with Brooklyn, when he hit .282 with two home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 17 runs batted in in 80 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,...
, all career-highs.
In a five-season career, Sandlock was a .240 hitter (107-for-446) with two home runs and 31 RBI in 195 games, including 34 runs
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...
, 19 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, two triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and two 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...
s.
Sandlock is recognized as one of the oldest living major league ballplayers. As of November 2011, he is considered to be the third-oldest living former major league player.
He is an active golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er and stays very active in the BAAT organization, which helps older baseball players that do not have health insurance and may need some medical assistance.
Fact
- Sandlock and Warren SpahnWarren SpahnWarren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
were roommates and they were called up together by the Braves in September 1942.