Johnny Gorsica

Who was Johnny Gorsica?

John Joseph Perry Gorsica, born Gorczyca, was an American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher who worked in 204 Major League games over seven seasons for the Detroit Tigers. He stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 180 pounds.

Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, Gorsica went to West Virginia University before signing his first professional contract and making his debut as a first baseman with a West Virginia-based minor league team, the Class D Beckley Bengals, in 1937. He converted to pitcher the following year and broke into the Major Leagues with the 1940 Tigers on April 22 at age 25. The 1940 Tigers won the American League pennant, finishing ahead of the Cleveland Indians in a race that went to the season's last game. As a rookie, Gorsica split 14 decisions. He appeared in 29 games pitched, 20 as a starter, and threw five complete games with two shutouts. He excelled in the 1940 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing only one run for a 0.79 earned run average in 11⅓ innings pitched, and striking out four. He pitched 4⅓ innings in Game 2 and 6⅓ innings in Game 6, both times coming in to relieve starter Schoolboy Rowe. Cincinnati won the Series, however, in seven games.