- Ken O'Dea
James Kenneth O'Dea (
March 16 ,1913 -December 17 ,1985 ) was acatcher inMajor League Baseball . From 1935 through 1946, O'Dea played for theChicago Cubs (1935-38), New York Giants (1940-41),St. Louis Cardinals (1943-46) and Boston Braves (1946). A native ofLima, New York , he batted left handed and threw right handed. He debuted on April 21, 1935, and played his final game on August 6, 1946.In a 12-season career, O'Dea posted a .255
batting average with 40home run s and 323 RBI in 832games played .A good defensive player and valuable
pinch-hitter , O'Dea served as a reserve catcher forGabby Hartnett (Cubs),Harry Danning (Giants) andWalker Cooper (Cardinals). His most productive season came in 1945, when he posted career-highs in games (100), hits (78), runs (36), RBI (43), extra bases (24), and made the National League All-Star team. He also appeared in fiveWorld Series (1935, '38, '42, '43, '44), batting .462 (6-for-13) with one home run, including a since-tied record three pinch hits. O'Dea died in his hometown of Lima at the age of 72.ee also
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1945 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
*St. Louis Cardinals all-time roster External links
* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/O/ODea_Ken.stm Baseball Library]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/o'deake01.shtml Baseball Reference]
* [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/Podeak101.htm Retrosheet]
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