Eddie Pellagrini

Edward Charles Pellagrini (1918-2006) was an American infielder who played eight seasons in Major League Baseball between 1946 and 1954. A Boston native, he was used primarily at shortstop, appearing in 221 games at the position, and also played more than 100 games each at second base and third base. He played for the Boston Red Sox (1946-1947), St. Louis Browns (1948-1949), Philadelphia Phillies (1951), Cincinnati Reds (1952), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1953-1954). On April 22, 1946, Pellagrini homered in his first major-league at-bat, in a game against Washington. Over 563 career games he batted .226 with 20 home runs and 133 runs batted in. After his playing career he became head baseball coach at Boston College, leading the program from 1958 to 1990 (missing the 1969 season due to illness) and guiding the team to three College World Series appearances, in 1960, 1961, and 1967. A World War II veteran, Pellagrini died in 2006 at age 88.