George John "Whitey" Kurowski

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April 19, 1918,  Reading, PA

Pennsylvania

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Right

Right 

5' 11"

193 lb.

A stocky, thick-legged infielder with surprising speed, Kurowski overcame childhood osteomyelitis (which made his right arm shorter than his left) to become one of the finest third basemen of the 1940s. Kurowski led the NL three times in putouts, twice in fielding average, and once each in assists and double plays. He displayed power, hitting 20 or more home runs in three different seasons. His ninth-inning homer off Yankee pitcher Red Ruffing in Game Five of the 1942 World Series broke a 2-2 tie to clinch the championship for the Cardinals.

Career Highlights: 

All-Star in 1943-44, 46

Career highs of 27 HR and 104 RBI in 1947, his last season playing regularly, and batted over .300 three times (1945-47). An arm injury in 1948 and an elbow injury in 1949 combined to prematurely end his career.

Hit 20 or more homers in three seasons.

Played in the 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1946 World Series.

He was the hero of the ‘42 Series