Today In Brewer History: Happy Birthday, Andy Pafko

by Kyle Lobner on Feb 25, 2012 6:00 AM CST in History

Andy Pafko as a Milwaukee Brave in 1955, via Wikipedia.

On this day in 1921 Andy Pafko was born in Boyceville, Wisconsin, a small town northwest of Eau Claire. He was 20 years old when the Cubs purchased his contract from Green Bay of the Wisconsin State League, and made his major league debut for Chicago in 1943.

Pafko is probably best known for his time with the Cubs, as he played his first nine major league seasons there and made four All Star appearances over that time. Despite hitting just 12 home runs in 1945 he set a career high with 110 RBI as the Cubs reached the World Series, and finished fourth in the NL MVP voting.

Pafko was already on the downside of his career when he joined the Braves in their first season in Milwaukee in 1953 but still played seven more major league seasons, hitting .275/.324/.411 over 658 games. During that time he was a part of both the 1957 and 1958 World Series teams.

Pafko turns 91 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday today to:

1995-96 Brewer David Hulse, who turns 44.
1962-65 Milwaukee Brave Denny Lemaster, who turns 73.

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My late uncle

played against Andy Pafko may times in the late 30’s. My father also saw him play. Obviously , he was the best player they ever saw at the time. I think the baseball field in Boyceville is named after him.

by northernbrew on Feb 25, 2012 2:59 PM CST reply actions

He's holding his bat wrong.

by mpbMKE on Feb 27, 2012 11:18 AM CST reply actions

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NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Cincinnati Red Reporter	27	20	.574	0	Won 2
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	26	22	.541	1.5	Won 1
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	23	24	.489	4	Won 3
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Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	19	28	.404	8	Lost 2
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	15	32	.319	12	Lost 12