Samaklis of Lewiston was a Brooklyn Dodger farmhand,and lost what might have been his most productive pitching years as a four year member of General Patton's army team. He played for the Worumbo Indians and Milwaukee St Paul, primarily as a relief pitcher. While languishing in the high minors as Brooklyn's pennant teams reveled in deep pitching. Cincinnati reportedly was interested in his services. The dodgers were not interested in parting with their back up to the likes of Hugh Casey. Samaklis was put on 'hold".
The father of golf champion Bruce played pro ball eight years, all but the last two in the dodger chain. Though he couldn't crack the Big top, Samaklis stored a raft of memories. He hurled for St Paul which represented American association in the 1948 junior World series, played with current Phillies manager Danny Ozark in '47 and the '48 St Paul cub managed by Dodger pilot Walt Alston. While with Mobile Ala of the Southern Association in 1950, maor domo Branch Rickey decked out the not so docile Bears in shorts for a trip around the circuit. "We packed the ballparks" Samaklis recalls, "but Rickey called off the idea and abandoned the comfortable outfits" The laconic Lithuanian, who signed his first pro contract with REading PA of the eastern league in '41, wond 47 and lost 19 his first three full seasons and never had an ERA higher than 2.99. He returned to the Spindle City with a trunkful of clippings and a flock of pleasant associations as he is a postman for the USPS .
Vern Putney PPH 11/20/1977
From Baseball Reference
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=samakl001cha
Charles Samaklis
Position: Relief Pitcher
Bats: Left • Throws: Right
6-2, 188lb (188cm, 85kg)
Born: February 13, 1919 (Age: 100-161d)
Full Name: Charles Samaklis
