From the Collection: Eddie Basinski, if, Brooklyn Dodgers

Eddie Basinski spent three seasons in the major leagues. From 1944-1945 with the Dodgers and 1947 with the Pirates. He was never a full-time player and he would slash .244/.292/.319 with 4 HR over 602 at-bats–good for an OPS+ of 68.

But don’t let anyone tell you he was not a good baseball player.

From 1948 to 1955 he was a regular on the AAA Pacific Coast League Portland Beavers and was one of the league’s stars.

He was a plus fielder who could man both middle infield spots with ease–and had a bat that could pop 10 HR a season with a decent average to go along with it. He was a fan favorite and voted Portlands MVP in 1950 and the all-time team in 1955.

Basinski’s career in the Pacific Coast League netted him 1,544 hits, 109 homers, and 634 RBIs, all while hitting .260.

Some of his post-career accolades include:

• All-time PCL All-Star Team in 1984
• Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1987
• Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Fame in 1996
• Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame in 2006

Baseball players like him are really some of the most interesting in the game.