Books and articles about Ray Jablonski

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In the mid-1950s, the Cardinals had a group known as the Polish Falcons; Ray Jablonski, Rip Repulski, and Steve Bilko. Jablonski debuted as the Cards' regular third baseman in 1953, hitting 21 HR and collecting 112 RBI. He developed an exuberant following, with a large section of Sportsmans Park frequently yelling, "Go-Go Jabbo." An All-Star in 1954, Jablonski peaked at the plate, hitting .296, but his league-high 34 errors at 3B and .925 FA (worst in the AL for regulars at all positions) made him expendable. Traded to the Reds, he was replaced in St. Louis by rookie Ken Boyer. Jablonski's glove kept him from further success. (RTM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 8, 1953: Cardinals 3B Ray Jablonski goes 5-for-5 against the Reds in a 7-2 win. » December 23, 1953: Dodgers 2B Jim "Junior" Gilliam easily wins National League Rookie of the Year honors over Harvey Haddix and Ray Jablonski. Satchel Paige remains unclaimed on the American League waiver list. » December 8, 1954: The Cardinals send veteran pitcher Gerry Staley, who had won 84 games for St. Louis in the past six seasons, along with 3B Ray Jablonski to the Reds for Frank Smith (8–1 in 1954). After a year in St. Louis the Cards will waive good-bye to Smith and Cincinnati will sign him back. » December 9, 1955: The Reds trade pitcher Frank Smith to the Cards for 3B Ray Jablonski. » November 13, 1956: The Cubs send P Warren Hacker, 3B Don Hoak and OF Pete Whisenant to the Reds for 36-year-old P Elmer Singleton, 18–8 with Seattle in 1956, and 3B Ray Jablonski. » September 1, 1958: In San Francisco, the Giants sweep a doubleheader from the Dodgers (and five of six in the Labor Day series) by taking the 1st in an A.M.-P.M. doubleheader, 3–2. Mays is 5-for-5 with two doubles and a home run. The nitecap is a memorable four hour: 35 minute marathon. The Giants tie it in the 9th on Schmidt's homer, and the Dodgers go ahead, 5–4, in the 16th on Carl Furillo's RBI. Whitey Lockman's home run in to bottom of the 16th ties it, then a bunt single by Ray Jablonski is followed by another bunt by P Ruben Gomez. Errors by John Roseboro and Furillo follow allowing Jabo to score the winning run. Mays is 11-for-20 for the series, with four homers. » March 23, 1959: The Giants send OF/1B Bill White and 3B Ray Jablonski to St. Louis for P Sam Jones.