Mike Ulicny Explained

Mike Ulicny
Position:Catcher
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Birth Date:1917 9, mf=yes
Birth Place:Greenwald, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Place:New Smyrna Beach, Florida, U.S.
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:May 5
Debutyear:1945
Debutteam:Boston Braves
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:June 22
Finalyear:1945
Finalteam:Boston Braves
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.389
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:1
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:4
Teams:

Michael Edward Ulicny (September 28, 1917 – September 22, 2005), nicknamed "Slugs",[1] was an American professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Braves in 1945. Listed at 5inchesft9inchesin (ftin) and 165lb, he was a native of Greenwald, Pennsylvania.

Biography

Ulicny's professional baseball career spanned 1938 to 1950; he appeared in a total of 886 minor league games.[2] He is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major leagues during World War II. He hit well in the 11 games he played for the Boston Braves, going 7-for-18, a .389 batting average. He had one home run, four runs batted in (RBIs), four runs scored, and a .611 slugging percentage. He was mainly used as a pinch-hitter, appearing in only four games as a catcher.[3] His uncommon last name sometimes appeared in newspaper box scores of the era as "Ulisney".[4] [5] In 1950, he served as player-manager of the minor league Niagara Falls Citizens.[2] [6]

Ulicny served in the United States Army during World War II,[7] including in 1943 when he was stationed at Fort Dix (New Jersey) and Camp Gordon Johnston (Florida) and did not play baseball professionally.[8] [2] He died at the age of 87 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.[9] He is buried at Deltona Memorial Gardens in Orange City, Florida.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mike Ulicny Trades and Transactions . . July 18, 2020.
  2. Web site: Mike Ulicny Minor League Statistics & History . . July 18, 2020.
  3. Web site: Mike Ulicny Stats . . July 18, 2020.
  4. News: Giants Trample Baves, 15-5, 6-4 . . . . 10 . May 6, 1945 . July 18, 2020 . newspapers.com.
  5. News: Hitter Have Field Day as Reds, Braves Divide . . . 13 . May 21, 1945 . July 18, 2020 . newspapers.com.
  6. News: Mike Ulicny Signs Manager's Pact . . 15 . February 27, 1950 . July 18, 2020 . newspapers.com.
  7. Web site: Index Record for Ulicny, Michael Edward, U.S. Veterans' Gravesites, ca.1775-2019 . fold3.com . subscription . July 18, 2020.
  8. News: Pfc. Mike Ulicny . . . 6 . April 16, 1943 . July 18, 2020 . newspapers.com.
  9. Web site: Mike Ulicny . . July 18, 2020.