Whitey Kurowski

George John "Whitey" Kurowski (April 19, 1918 – December 9, 1999) was an American professional baseball third baseman. He played his entire career in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1949 and was an All-Star in five consecutive seasons. Kurowski's childhood nickname came from his already white hair.

A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Kurowski overcame several personal problems, including a bout with childhood osteomyelitis that eventually forced the removal of part of a bone on his right forearm. Before he started his baseball career, his older brother died in a mine accident, and his father died from a heart attack during spring training in 1942.

Kurowski batted and threw right-handed, and debuted as Major Leaguer on September 23, 1941.

His most productive season came in 1947, when he posted career-highs in average (.310), home runs (27), RBI (104), runs (108), doubles (27), slugging % (.544) and on-base % (.420).

An All-Star during five consecutive seasons (1943–47), Kurowski exceeded the 20-home run mark three times to set a major league record for a third baseman (1944–45, 1947), and hit over .300 three times (1945–47). He also led the National League three times in putouts, twice in fielding %, and once in double plays.

In four World Series appearances, Kurowski hit .253 (21-for-83) with one home run and nine RBI in 23 games, as the Cardinals were World Champions in 1942, 1944 and 1946. His one postseason homer came in 1942, off Red Ruffing, broke a 2–2 tie in the ninth inning of Game Five to clinch the title for St. Louis over the New York Yankees.

In 1949, he developed arm and elbow problems and his playing career ended, with his final game taking place on October 1, 1949.

Across a nine-season career, Kurowski posted a .286 batting average with 106 home runs and 529 RBI in 916 games played.