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Steve Bilko

Slugger Steve Bilko was one of the first players to regularly wear sunglasses during games, both at the plate and in the field. With the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League, Bilko frequently donned tinted Mitchell glasses. They must have worked, because Bilko was named Most Valuable Player in the PCL three straight seasons: 1955-1957. But Bilko never found his groove in the majors, batting just .249 with 76 homers in 600 games over ten seasons. His minor league accomplishments were legendary however, as he won a Triple Crown, and batted .312 with 313 career homers at that level.

Played For
St. Louis Cardinals (1949-1954)
Chicago Cubs (1954)
Cincinnati Reds (1958)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1958)
Detroit Tigers (1960)
Los Angeles Angels (1961-1962)

Born
Stephen Thomas Bilko was born on November 13, 1928, in Nanticoke, PA.

Died
March 7, 1978, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Batted:  Right
Threw:  Right

Primary Position:  1B

Primary Team:  SLN

Major League Debut
September 22, 1949

Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1949
Monte Irvin
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Roy Sievers
Smoky Burgess
Del Crandall
Bobby Avila
Walt Dropo
Don Newcombe
Morrie Martin

Learn More about Steve Bilko
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