Larry Miggins

Miggins was signed by the New York Giants in 1944 and was assigned immediately to Double-A Jersey City, then the top farm system affiliate of the Giants, but his baseball career was interrupted late in the year after he entered service in the United States Merchant Navy during World War II. Following his discharge, Miggins rejoined Jersey City in 1946, being obtained a year later by the Cardinals from the Giants in the Rule 5 draft. In 1946, Miggins was the starting third basemen for the Jersey City Giants when they played the Montreal Royals on Opening Day. That game marked the professional debut of Jackie Robinson. Miggins was the last surviving member of the Giants from that game.In two seasons at St. Louis, Miggins posted a .227 batting average (22-for-97) in 43 games, including five doubles, one triple and two home runs, while driving in 10 runs and scoring seven times. His childhoo…