Career
He is best known as the talent-spotter who discovered future Baseball Hall of Famer Stan Musial for the Saint Louis Cardinals and encouraged the team to switch Musial from his initial position, a left-handed pitcher, to the outfield — paving the way for Musial"s brilliant career as a batsman. Vanek was an outfielder and third baseman during his minor league playing career from 1930-1932 and 1937-1946, batting.312 in 1,195 games. In 1937, Vanek was the player-manager of the Monessen Cardinals of the Class Doctorate Pennsylvania State Association, one of the many teams in the Cardinals" extensive farm system.
Musial, a 16-year-old high-schooler from nearby Donora, Pennsylvania, tried out for Vanek before a game and Vanek recommended that the parent club sign him.
The following season, Musial began his professional career in the Cardinal system as a southpaw pitcher and part-time outfielder. When a sore shoulder (suffered making a catch in the field) derailed Musial"s mound career, Vanek, in 1941, made him a full-time outfielder for his Class C Springfield Cardinals of the Western Association, and Musial responded by hitting.379 with 26 home runs in little more than half a season.
By the end of 1941, he had begun his legendary Major League Baseball career with the big-league Cardinals. "Ollie was an excellent hitter and a good player," Musial said upon Vanek"s death in Saint Louis at age 91 in 2000.