Career
He is most widely known as the pinch hitter whose double ruined Bill Bevens" no-hitter in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series and gave his Brooklyn Dodgers a breathtaking victory over the New York Yankees, a game known as On October 3, 1947 at Ebbets Field, Bevens was ahead 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, and got two outs. Lavagetto was born in Oakland, California. Nicknamed "Cookie" after an owner of the Oakland Oaks, his first professional team, he played ten seasons in the National League with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1934-1936) and Brooklyn Dodgers (1937-1941.
1946-1947), missing four full seasons due to military service during World World War World War II A right-handed batter and thrower, he hit.269 in 1,043 games.
His best season was 1939, when he hit.300 with 87 runs batted in for Brooklyn. After being released by the Dodgers following the 1947 Series, Lavagetto returned to Oakland to finish his playing career with the Oaks (1948-1950).
When Oakland manager Chuck Dressen was named the field leader of the Dodgers in 1951, Lavagetto accompanied him and returned to Brooklyn as one of his coaches. Lavagetto then returned to the coaching ranks with the New York Mets (1962-1963), and — back home in the Bay Area — the San Francisco Giants (1964-1967).
He died in his sleep at his home in Orinda, California, at the age of 77.