New York-Penn League Prospects who made it to the Majors: Art Shamsky

Photo credits: Topps Co. via The Trading Card Database

I'm currently doing research to identify all former PONY/NYPL players who made it to the major leagues. I have completed all seasons from 1939 to 1960 and have identified a total of 290 players (and managers) so far who meet the criteria.

I plan on posting about these individuals (in no particular order) on a regular basis.

First up:Art Shamsky

He played in the New York-Penn League for the Geneva Redlegs in 1960.

He went on to play in the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds (1965-67), New York Mets (1968-71), Chicago Cubs (1972), and Oakland Athletics (1972).

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

On this date in New York-Penn League history: June 3, 1959

Credits: Wellsville Daily Report via Newspapers.com

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday #2: Jack O'Connor

Credits: Montreal Expos via The Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Jack O'Connor was born on this date in 1958.

He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 9th round of the 1976 MLB Amateur Draft and pitched in the the New York-Penn League in 1977 for the Jamestown Expos (6-6, 3.51 ERA, 1.325 WHIP).

O'Connor played in the major leagues during six seasons for the Minnesota Twins (1981-84), Montreal Expos (1985) and Baltimore Orioles (1987).

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Frank Verdi

Credits: The Wiz via The Trading Card Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn) League prospect and manager Frank Verdi was born on this date in 1926, in Brooklyn, New York.

Verdi was signed by the New York Yankees in 1946 and played in 106 games for the Wellsville Yankees that season. He played in the minor leagues for 18 seasons and appeared in one game for the 1953 New York Yankees.

After he retired as a player, Verdi managed in the minors and independent leagues for several years, including two seasons in the New York-Penn League with the Binghamton Triplets (1966) and Oneonta Yankees (1967).

He died on July 10, 2010, in Port Richey, Florida at the age of 84.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Hal Smith

Credits: Topps via The Trading Card Database

Former PONY (New York-Penn League) prospect Hal Smith was born on this date in 1931, in Barling, Arkansas. He was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1949 and played in 79 games in the PONY League for the 1950 Hamilton Cardinals.

Smith went on to play six seasons in the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals 1956-61 and was a National League All-Star in 1957 and 1959. He played in four games while coaching for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1965.

Smith died on April 12, 2014, in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the age of 82.

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Tippy Martinez (Oneonta Yankees)

Credits: Topps Co. via The Trading Card Database

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect Tippy Martinez, who was born on this date in 1950, in La Junta, Colorado.

Martinez was signed by the New York Yankees in 1972, out of Colorado State University. He pitched in two games for the Onetona Yankees (1-0, 2.00 ERA) before being promoted to Kinston in the Carolina League.

He went on to a 14 year major league career with the New York Yankees (1974-76), Baltimore Orioles (1976-86), and Minnesota Twins (1988). He was on the American League All Star team in 1983 and pitched in two World Series ('79, '83).

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.

Today's New York-Penn League Birthday: Jay Loviglio

Credits: ProCards via The Trading Card DataBase

Happy Birthday to former New York-Penn League prospect (Auburn Phillies, 1977) and manager (Geneva Cubs, 1986) Jay Loviglio, who was born on this date in 1956, in Freeport, New York.

He played in 29 games for the 1977 Auburn Phillies (.214/.313/.298) and went on to play in the majors during four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1980), Chicago White Sox (1981-82), and Chicago Cubs (1983).

Following his playing career, Loviglio managed in the minor leagues for 11 seasons including one season in the New York-Penn League with the Geneva Cubs (1986).

Source: Baseball Reference

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams.