Hank Borowy

Who was Hank Borowy?

Henry Ludwig "Hank" Borowy was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1942 through 1951, Borowy played for the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers. He batted and threw right-handed. Born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, Borowy graduated from Bloomfield High School and Fordham University. He pitched in six World Series games and posted a 108–82 record with 690 strikeouts and a 3.50 earned run average in 1717 innings pitched.

Borowy debuted on April 18, 1942 with the Yankees, finishing with a 15–4 record, 85 SO, 2.82 ERA. Then, he started Game 4 of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals without a decision.

In 1943 Borowy went 14–9, 107, 2.82, and won Game 3 of the World Series against St. Louis. Named an All-Star in 1944, he pitched three scoreless innings in the game, ending the season with 17–12, 107, 2.64.

In 1945 Borowy posted a 10–5 record with the Yankees in the first half of the season. The '45 All Star game was cancelled due to wartime travel restrictions, but Borowy was selected a "virtual" All Star in an unofficial poll of managers conducted by the Associated Press. At the All Star break he was placed on waivers by the Yankees, and eventually sold to the Cubs for $100,000. Borowy went 11–2 for the remainder of the season, including three wins over the Cardinals down the stretch, and led the National League in winning percentage and ERA, as the Cubs won the pennant. Borowy's combined 1945 Yankees/Cubs record was 21-7 with 82 strikeouts and a 2.65 ERA.