Tony Malinosky
Encyclopedia
Anthony Francis Malinosky (October 7, 1909 February 8, 2011) was a third baseman
and shortstop
in Major League baseball
who played 35 games for the Brooklyn Dodgers
in the season. Listed at 5' 10", Weight: 165 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.
Born in Collinsville, Illinois
, Tony Malinosky attended Whittier College
, where he played baseball and was a classmate of future US President Richard Nixon
.
The Pittsburgh Pirates
signed Malinosky to his first professional contract, and then sold his rights to the Dodgers in 1936.
During World War II
, Malinosky was drafted by the United States Army
, with which he saw combat in the Battle of the Bulge
.
The Los Angeles Dodgers honored Malinosky at Dodger Stadium in 2009, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. In a statement released after his death, the Dodgers said "Tony lived an incredibly full life, both on and off the field, He remained a Dodger fan his whole life and his visit to Dodger Stadium in 2009 gave the organization a great opportunity to celebrate not only his 100th birthday, but the Dodger chapter of his life that meant so much to him. He will be most certainly missed by all who knew him."
Malinosky was a long time resident of Oxnard, California
since moving to the area in 1976. At , he was the oldest living Major League Baseball player at the time of his death on February 8, 2011.
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
and 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...
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 35 games 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...
in the season. Listed at 5' 10", Weight: 165 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.
Born in Collinsville, Illinois
Collinsville, Illinois
Collinsville is a city located mainly in Madison County, and partially in St. Clair County, both in Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 26,016. Collinsville is approximately 12 miles from St. Louis, Missouri and is considered part of that city's Metro-East area...
, Tony Malinosky attended Whittier College
Whittier College
Whittier College is a private liberal arts college in Whittier, California. As of January 2009, the college has approximately 1540 enrolled students.-Overview:...
, where he played baseball and was a classmate of future US President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
.
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...
signed Malinosky to his first professional contract, and then sold his rights to the Dodgers in 1936.
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...
, Malinosky was drafted by the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, with which he saw combat in the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
.
The Los Angeles Dodgers honored Malinosky at Dodger Stadium in 2009, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. In a statement released after his death, the Dodgers said "Tony lived an incredibly full life, both on and off the field, He remained a Dodger fan his whole life and his visit to Dodger Stadium in 2009 gave the organization a great opportunity to celebrate not only his 100th birthday, but the Dodger chapter of his life that meant so much to him. He will be most certainly missed by all who knew him."
Malinosky was a long time resident of Oxnard, California
Oxnard, California
Oxnard is the 113th largest city in the United States, 19th largest city in California and largest city in Ventura County, California, by way of population. It is located at the western edge of the fertile Oxnard Plain, and is an important agricultural center, with its distinction as the...
since moving to the area in 1976. At , he was the oldest living Major League Baseball player at the time of his death on February 8, 2011.
External links
- Retrosheet
- Interview with Malinosky from Oct., 2009 at KCLU.ORG