October 20, 2018 Joe Stanka

Last month I posted about 2 American baseball players, Gene Bacque and Glenn Mickens, who played in Japan in the 1960s. I was saddened to read last week that another American ballplayer who played in Japan in the 1960s  had passed away on October 15, 2018....

Joe Stanka
played in Japan from 1960 to 1966 with the Nankai Hawks and Taiyo Whales. He began his baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1950. He made the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox in 1959, pitching in two games. His best season in Japan was in 1964, he won 26 games to receive the league MVP award. He pitched shutouts in Games 1, 6, and 7 of the Japan Series against the Hanshin Tigers to win the Japan Series MVP award as well.

 I mailed these customs to Mr Stanka last year, he signed them and included two of his own cards.