Joseph Joseph Lafata (August 3, 1921 – May 6, 2004) was an American professional baseball player who appeared in 127 games as a first baseman, outfielder and pinch hitter in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants over three seasons spanning 1947 to 1949.[1] Born in Detroit, Lafata threw and batted left-handed, and was listed as 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and 163 pounds (74 kg).
| Joe Lafata | |
|---|---|
| First baseman / Outfielder | |
| Born: August 3, 1921 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| Died: May 6, 2004 (aged 82) Roseville, Michigan, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 17, 1947, for the New York Giants | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 25, 1949, for the New York Giants | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .229 |
| Home runs | 5 |
| Runs batted in | 34 |
| Teams | |
Lafata's professional career stretched from 1940 through 1952, with two full years (1943 and 1944) missed due to his World War II United States Army service.[2] He spent the full 1947 and 1949 seasons with the Giants, starting 33 games as a first baseman and 19 as a left fielder. In perhaps his finest MLB game, on June 23, 1949 against the St. Louis Cardinals at Sportsman's Park, he collected three hits in four at bats, including a two-run home run off Cardinals' southpaw Howie Pollet.[3]
All told, he batted .229 in the majors in 236 at bats, with three doubles, two triples, five home runs and 34 runs batted in.
References edit
- ^ "Joe Lafata Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ Baseball in Wartime: "Those Who Served"
- ^ Retrosheet box score (June 23, 1949): "St. Louis Cardinals 10, New York Giants 6"
External links edit
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
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