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1950-1951 Philadelphia A's Rookies 1950-1951 Philadelphia A's Rookies

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The Famous "Green Box"

What's a green box and why is it so famous? Well, just like a baseball dugout, that's where the stories are told. The "Green Box" appeared on the Baseball Historian web site during our inception back in 1999 and has been holding kangaroo court ever since. Enjoy the stories...

Rookie Prospects for 1950-51 - Philadelphia Athletics
In looking over our manager's old notebook we see a list of anxious rookies trying to break into the Philadelphia Athletics lineup in 1950-51. In hopes that someone will find an uncle, cousin or long-ago friend we have written a short biography taken from this interesting old notebook. Some prospects made the big league; most did not. Remember during this era there were only eight teams in each league; so the chances of being a major leaguer were very slim. Anyway, here's our list:

Ed Hrabczak, Pitcher Right-handed, 6'4", 205 pos. - the big guy throws a 4-Star fastball ... at Stamford in '49 recorded 234 strike outs in just 226 innings, started 27 games ... posted 19 wins, highest in the league... the Athletics have high hopes ... could be big league star in the near future.

Bobby Schantz, Pitcher Throws Left, Bats RH, 5'7", 151 pos. - the "little guy" rates 4+Stars ... pitched for Athletics in 1949 - his first tryout in the majors ... won 6, lost 8, 3.40 ERA, 33 games, 127 innings ... caused lots of heads-to-turn in his rookie season ... looks impressive, nice curve and fast balls.

Robert Betz, Outfielder RH, 6'1", 182 pos. - at Youngstown In '49 batted .345, hit 45 doubles, 18 home runs and drove in 135 runs (Wow!) ... looks like a real slugger ... might win job with A's soon.

Arnold Portocarrero, Pitcher RH, 6'3", 198 pos. - only 19-years-old and already throws a hard, ra[pid fastball ... in '50 his first season in organized ball at West Palm Beach went 9-11 - must cut down on walks issued .... tab for future.

Bob Hooper, Pitcher RH, 6', 190 pos. - scouts rate 4-Stars ... Throws rising fastball with good motion ... had a 19-3 record In '49 at Buffalo ... looks like a big-league pitcher already. (Note: Hooper pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics in '51, had a 12-10 record, 4.38 ERA in 38 games.

Ben Guintini, Outfielder 6'1", 198 pos. - looks like fine prospect ... with Dallas in '49, batted .306, 95 RBIs ... excellent fielder ... Rates 3-Stars ... tab for future date. Management has high hopes.

Bob Wellman, Outfield 6'4", 210 pos. - the "young giant" played 111 games last year with Savannah ... hit .283 with 63 RBIs ... needs to learn patience at the plate ... tab for future date. - scouts say - 1-2 years away from the big-leagues.

Morris Martin, Pitcher LH, 6', 180 pos. - the Athletics picked him first in '50 pro draft ... the southpaw has had two previous trials with the A's ... could make it this time ... at St. Paul in 1950 was 14-9, 114 Ks (Note" Martin worked his first complete major league game in '51 - And beat every AL team at least once in '51 - was 11-4 in 35 games, 3.78 ERA.

Walt Kellner, Pitcher RH, 6', 200 pos - brother of A's pitcher Alex, ... Walt rates high on scouts' list - but had a tough go at Lincoln in '50 ... won only 3, lost 14 ... none-the-less rates 3+-Stars ... must improve on his control to make it in the big-leagues.

Ed Samcoff, Second Baseman, 5'10", 168 pos. - drafted by Athletics after five years in the minors ... gets high marks for fielding ... has played in four minor-league All-Star games ... at Sioux City in '50, hit a nice .307 and finished second in the league in fielding ... tab for future date.

Harry Byrd, Pitcher RH, 6'1", 188 pos. - he may be one Youngster to break into the A's pitching staff in '51 ... threw at Buffalo in '50 ... won 4, lost 9, but scouts say showed great stuff ... throws nice change up, good control.

Lou Limmer, First Baseman, 6'2", 185 pos. - strong hitter ... AA minors ... in '50 led league with 29 home runs and with 111 RBIs and was voted "Rookie of Year" ... A's management believe they have a prize newcomer here ... good fielder ... Note: Limmer played first base with the A's in '51 - 94 games, hit 5 homers and batted .159.

Angelo Nardella, Pitcher, RH, 5'11", 170 pos - Pitched in minors for Portsmouth. He may may be one youngster to make the grade this season with the A's. Last year Angello Nardella had a 20-7 record with a very fine 2.26 eaerned run average for Portsmouth.

John Kucab, Pitcher RH 6'2", 185 pos. - pitched for Athletics in late-1950 ... threw two complete games ... winning one and losing one - strong and determined, likes to win ... with Lincoln in '50 was 16-12 and led league in innings pitched and in complete games (Note: Kucab pitched with the Athletics in '51, posting a 4-3 record in 30 games, 4.20 ERA)

Bob Stewart Jr., Shortstop 5'10", 175 pos. - has good speed - Rates excellent in fielding - at Lincoln in '49 led Western League in defense ... and hit .245 ... tab for future date.

Franklin Robinson, Pitcher RH, 6'1" 185 pos. - was big star Pitcher at North Carolina University ... threw for Savannah in '50; won 9 and lost 7 with a nice 2.78 ERA - looks impressive, has fine control.

Joe Murray, Pitcher LH, 6' 180 pos. - had trial with A's in August of 1950 - looked sharp ... scouts rate 4-Stars ... was 20-14 at West Palm Beach in '50 and led league with 26 complete games ... never gives up, usually throws 9 strong innings ... could be pitching star in near future.

Kermit Wahl, Infielder RH, 5'11", 170 pos. - was formerly on the Cincinnati Reds roster, and performed very fine in the minors in Canada last year, 1949. His defensive play is excellent and he batted .286.

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