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O'Dea spent his career as a lefthanded pinch hitter and a backup to three star catchers: Gabby Hartnett with the Cubs; Harry Danning with the Giants; and Walker Cooper with the Giants. He led the NL with 42 pinch-hit appearances for New York in 1941. In five World Series, he went 6-13, including a since-tied record three pinch hits. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 15, 1935: The Cubs rattle 18 hits off four Brooklyn pitchers to win, 9–4. Bill Lee allows no earned runs in the victory. Stan Hack is 4-for-4 + getting hit with a pitch; he had three straight hits to end yesterday, giving him seven straight. Rookie Ken O'Dea belts a 3-run homer. » December 6, 1938: In a trade of major names, the Giants send Dick Bartell, Hank Leiber, and Gus Mancuso to the Cubs for Billy Jurges, Frank Demaree, and Ken O'Dea. The trade works best for the Giants as the New York-born Jurges will anchor the infield for seven years; Chicago-born Bartell lasts just a season at Wrigley. » May 14, 1939: Making his first appearance since elbow surgery in August 1938, Carl Hubbell pitches New York to a 2–1 win over the Phillies. Catcher Ken O'Dea hits a 10th inning home run to win it for King Carl. » December 11, 1941: The Giants acquire Johnny Mize from the Cardinals for three players -- Bill Lohrman, Ken O'Dea, and Johnny McCarthy -- and $50,000. Because of injuries, Mize's home run production had fallen from 43 to 16 in 1941, but he will bounce back to lead the National League in 1947-48. » October 5, 1944: Ken O'Dea's pinch single in the 11th drives in Ray Sanders for a Cardinals' 3-2 win. Two errors by Potter and one by Mark Christman give the Cards 2, early-inning, unearned runs.