Background
He was born in Wyandotte, Michigan.
He was born in Wyandotte, Michigan.
In 2003, Bob Kuzava was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame
He gained saves in the final games of both the 1951 World Series against the New York Giants (Game 6) and 1952 against the Brooklyn Dodgers (Game 7). He pitched in the ninth inning of a 1953 World Series Game 5 victory for the Yankees as well. Although his success in the World Series came in relief, Kuzava was a starting pitcher for the Yankees for three seasons, throwing 12 complete games.
He joined them on June 15, 1951, with the Washington Senators trading him to New York for three players, and proceeded to earn three championship rings as a Yankee.
He had been a military policeman during World World War World War II Born and raised in the Detroit area, Kuzava made his Major League debut against the Detroit Tigers. He was the Indians" starting pitcher for a late-season 1946 game in Cleveland, and over eight innings he gave up just four hits and one earned run.
He got no decision, the game lasting 11 innings, with Detroit"s Dizzy Trout pitching all 11 for the victory. He spent most of the 1947 and 1948 seasons in the minor leagues before his breakout season with the White Sox in 1949.