Bill Sarni
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William Florine Sarni (September 19, 1927 - April 15, 1983) was a Major League Baseball catcher. A native of Los Angeles, California, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1951-52, 1954-56) and New York Giants (1956).
Sarni's professional baseball career began at the age of 15 when he played for the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League. In 33 games he went 19-for-83 (.229) with one home run and nine runs batted in.
He reached the major leagues in 1951 with the Cardinals at age 23 and became their regular catcher in 1954. That would be his best season, batting .300 with 9 HR and 70 RBI in 123 games. He also led National League catchers with a .996 fielding percentage and 12 double plays.
Sarni played quite a bit the next two seasons as well, even after being traded to the New York Giants on June 14, 1956. That season, he led the league's catchers with 61 assists and 10 double plays.
During spring training in 1957 he suffered a heart attack that ended his playing career. He was just 29 years old.
Career totals for 390 games include 311 hits, 22 HR, 151 RBI, 107 runs scored, a .263 batting average, and a slugging percentage of .380. His lifetime fielding percentage was .991.
Sarni died at the age of 55 in Creve Coeur, Missouri.
[edit] Minor League Trivia
- Sarni led Texas League catchers with a .991 fielding percentage while playing for the Shreveport Sports in 1948.
- He led American Association catchers with 597 putouts and a .989 fielding percentage while playing for the Columbus Red Birds in 1950.
[edit] Reference
- 1955 Baseball Register published by The Sporting News
