Al Verdel

Who was Al Verdel?

Albert Alfred Verdel, nicknamed "Stumpy", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander appeared in one game for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1944. The 23-year-old rookie was a born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He resided in the Trenton, New Jersey, and Bordentown, New Jersey, area for most of his life before retiring to Sarasota, Florida. After his playing career, he coached baseball and football at Bordentown Military Institute and Football at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. During his coaching career, he had the opportunity to coach athletes who went on to play MLB and the NFL. He also continued his affiliation with the Phillies organization as a field representative.

Verdel is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major leagues during World War II. His only major league action came on April 20, 1944 in a home game against the Brooklyn Dodgers at Shibe Park. He entered the game in the top of the 9th and hurled one perfect inning of relief in the 8–2 loss. His lifetime earned run average stands at 0.00.

He died at the age of 69 in Sarasota, Florida.