Moe Burtschy

Who was Moe Burtschy?

Edward Frank "Moe" Burtschy was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics.

He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduating from high school in 1940, Burtschy signed a minor league contract, but he joined the Navy in September 1940 and served aboard the USS Ticonderoga. Following his military service, he returned to the minors and, on June 17, 1950, he made his debut in the American League with the Athletics.

On June 26, 1954, Burtschy replaced Dutch Romberger in the 10th inning of an Athletics game against the Baltimore Orioles. He walked Chuck Diering intentionally to load the bases. He then pitched wildly to Gil Coan which scored Dick Kryhoski with the winning run.

Burtschy was optioned to the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League in May 1955. On May 29, 1956 he pitched two innings of hitless relief against the Chicago White Sox. Burtschy fell apart in the 12th inning, yielding three walks and a sacrifice to give Chicago a 7–4 win.

In his 90-game career Burtschy compiled a 10–6 record, with 97 strikeouts, a 4.71 ERA, and four saves in 185 innings pitched. After retiring, he worked as a freight salesman in the trucking industry.