Johnny Gorsica Biography
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- Born March 29, 1915
Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, Gorsica went to West Virginia University before signing his first professional contract and making his debut as a first baseman with a West Virginia-based minor league team, the Class D Beckley Bengals, in 1937. He converted to pitcher the following year and broke into the Major Leagues with the 1940 Tigers on April 22 at age 25. The 1940 Tigers won the American League pennant, finishing ahead of the Cleveland Indians in a race that went to the season\'s last game. As a rookie, Gorsica split 14 decisions. He appeared in 29 games pitched, 20 as a starter, and threw five complete games with two shutouts. He excelled in the 1940 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing only one run for a 0.79 earned run average in 11⅓ innings pitched, and striking out four. He pitched 4⅓ innings in Game 2 and 6⅓ innings in Game 6, both times coming in to relieve starter Schoolboy Rowe. Cincinnati won the Series, however, in seven games.\n', '
Relying on an overhand sinkerball, Gorscia both started and relieved during his Major League career, making 64 career starts. He was among the league leaders in saves (as yet an unofficial statistic) three straight years from 1942–1944, and collected 17 saves during his MLB tenure. Gorsica served in the United States Navy during World War II and missed the 1945 baseball season, when the Tigers won the world championship.\n', '
All told, he allowed 778 hits and 247 bases on balls in 723⅔ MLB innings pitched, with 272 strikeouts.\n', '
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