Cass Michaels - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Casimir Eugene Michaels (March 4, 1926 - November 12, 1982) was a Major League Baseball second baseman. He was born in Detroit, Michigan as Casimir Eugene Kwietniewski, and was primarily a second baseman throughout his career, though he was also a third baseman and shortstop for a time.

Under his real name, Michaels was signed to a major league contract by the Chicago White Sox at the age of 17 before the 1943 season, but only played in 2 games that season. He was the second youngest player in the American League when he made his major league debut, being older than 16-year old Carl Scheib. After Don Kolloway was traded at the start of the 1949 season, Michaels became the starting second baseman, and played in all 154 games there which led to his first all-star appearance as the starting second baseman. He also notched a career high 9 triples that season, as well as a career high batting average of .308. After playing part of the 1950 season for the White Sox, Cass was traded to the Washington Senators on May 31.

Michaels continued to play well for Washington, and as a result earned his second trip to the all-star game. He played another full season for Washington, and began the 1952 season with them before being traded to the St. Louis Browns. Michaels then went to a third team for the 1952 season as he was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Athletics on August 5. He played the 1953 season for Philadelphia, where he hit a career-high 12 home runs. On December 8, 1953, the Chicago White Sox purchased Michaels from the Athletics, effectively bringing Michaels back to his old team. His career ended on August 27, 1954, in a game between the White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics. In what became an 11-0 White Sox victory, Cass was hit in the head by a pitch from Marion Fricano. He had to be carried from the field, and was given last rites at the hospital, as he was in critical condition. Michaels recovered, but the pitch impaired his vision and caused him to end his career. Michaels died in Grosse Pointe, Michigan on November 12 at the age of 56.

Description: see long description Date of birth: 03/04/1926 Date of death: 11/12/1982 Area of notoriety: Sports Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Open daily 7am - 5pm Fee required?: No Web site: Not listed

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Date Logged Log   12/18/2011 marjer visited it