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A decorated WWII veteran and the first NL catcher to wear glasses, Lopata didn't see much action behind Andy Seminick and Smokey Burgess until he assumed a deep crouch at the plate at the urging of Rogers Hornsby. He then hit .290 with 14 home runs in 1954 and belted 22, 32, and 18 HR the next three seasons before a dwindling batting average put him back on the bench. (JK)