Wednesday, March 24, 2010

#223 Dan Osinski

#223 Dan Osinski
Dan Osinski looks kind of pale, gaunt, and weary in this photo. It reminds me of my own physical appearance Monday night, after two straight ten-hour days of home improvements followed by a 6:45 AM-3:15 PM shift at work. Wake me in about a month.

Fun facts about Dan Osinski:

-A native of Chicago, IL, Dan signed with the Indians as a teenager in 1952.

-His path to the majors took several detours, as he walked tons of batters as was out of organized ball for two years following his release from the Cleveland system. His hometown White Sox gave him a second chance, but he didn't go beyond Class A ball in three seasons in their organization.

-After being picked up by the Athletics in the previous offseason, Osinski finally made his big league debut in 1962. The 28-year-old was hit hard in four appearances for K.C., but pitched well back in the minors and showed improvement following a midseason trade to the Angels. He won six and saved four out of the L.A. bullpen with a 2.82 ERA.

-In a swingman role in 1963, Dan set career highs in wins (eight), complete games (four), innings pitched (159.1), and strikeouts (100) while posting a 3.28 ERA.

-On June 4, 1963, he tossed the first of two career shutouts, three-hitting the White Sox and striking out eight.

-After another good effort the following year (3.48 ERA), he was traded to the Braves and ranked eighth in the N.L. with 61 appearances in 1965 and pitched to a 2.82 ERA.

-Osinski also spent two years in Boston. With the 1967 "Impossible Dream" club, he set personal bests with a 2.54 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. He appeared in relief in two World Series games but did not do anything of note.

-After spending all of 1968 at AAA Hawaii, Dan lasted another two years in the majors, throwing effectively for the White Sox in 1969 before stumbling in a brief look at Houston the next year. On the plus side, his final pitch as a major league produced a Willie Mays groundout.

-In parts of eight seasons he was 29-28 with 18 saves and a 3.34 ERA.

-After baseball, Dan worked in banking.
#223 Dan Osinski (back)
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6 comments:

  1. CommishbobWednesday, March 24, 2010 10:00:00 PM

    Run! It's a zombie!!!! And another '65 Topps one at that!!

    This is one of the rare cards from this set that I have absolutely no recollection of.

    ReplyDelete
  2. jacobmrleyThursday, March 25, 2010 4:26:00 AM

    braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaains!

    ReplyDelete
  3. KevinThursday, March 25, 2010 1:10:00 PM

    Bob - At least it didn't scar you for life, if you don't remember it at all.

    Max - What do we want? BRAINS! When do we want it? BRAINS!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CommishbobThursday, March 25, 2010 6:55:00 PM

    Ya know... his face on this card looks a lot like my March Madness bracket. And thats not good.

    ReplyDelete
  5. OsinskiForeverSaturday, April 03, 2010 10:03:00 AM

    Interesting player. Visited Annapolis with another Illinois player as a high school student and got a look-see as a football player from Navy assistant coach Lombardi. Ordered by Bobby Bragan to throw a spitter in a 1965 game with the Braves, then Bragan had him explain to Howard Cosell on national television the next night how he did it. Claimed to have never gotten a close strike call again. Was honored as Red Sox Good Guy of the Year at the sportswriters banquet one year. While playing in California, Boston and Milwaukee would sell White Sox season tickets in off-season. Had an unusual pitching motion that won praise from T.S. Williams for its deceptive nature. Is said to have once held a sportswriter upside down by his ankles from a hotel window.

    ReplyDelete
  6. KevinSaturday, April 03, 2010 7:38:00 PM

    Bob - I had Kansas. I hear ya.

    OF - Thanks for the added facts!

    ReplyDelete

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