Frank Malzone

Frank James Malzone (February 28, 1930 – December 29, 2015) was an American Major League Baseball third baseman who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1955 to 1965 and the California Angels in 1966.

Malzone was born in the Bronx, New York, the son of Italian immigrant Francis Malzone and Pauline (Dazago) Malzone. He attended Samuel Gompers High School, where he played baseball, and was signed as a free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 1948, during his senior year. He was the first Gompers graduate to reach the major leagues. He had also tried out for the New York Giants in 1948 but was told he was too light and small.

Shortly after turning 18 in 1948, Malzone was assigned to the Milford Red Sox of the Eastern Shore League in Milford, Delaware, where he batted .304. He was assigned to Oneonta the following year.

Malzone spent 11 seasons with Boston and ranks among the all-time Red Sox leaders in several categories. Over 1,359 games he batted .276 with 131 home runs and 716 runs batted in. He finished his career with the Angels, playing 82 games in 1966.