Jack Kubiszyn

John Henry Kubiszyn (born December 19, 1936) is an American former professional baseball player. A shortstop, he appeared in the Major Leagues for parts of two seasons for the Cleveland Indians (1961–1962), playing in 25 games both seasons. The Buffalo, New York, native threw and batted right-handed, stood 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and weighed 170 pounds (77 kg).

Kubiszyn was a two-sport star at the University of Alabama in the 1950s. A three-year basketball guard from 1956–1958, he was a member of Johnny Dee's famed "Rocket 8" teams.[1] During his junior season in 1957, Kubiszyn averaged 24.6 points per game, a school record that still stands today. In 1958, he was named All-American.[2] Kubiszyn's three-year Crimson Tide baseball career at shortstop spanned the 1956–1958 seasons. Playing for coach Tilden Campbell, he finished with a .300 batting average.[3]

His professional baseball career extended from 1958–1964. During his two trials with the Indians, he collected 19 hits, with two doubles, in 101 at bats. Highlights included a three-hit game in four at bats against the Minnesota Twins' Camilo Pascual on September 17, 1961, and his only Major-League home run, hit off Bill Fischer of the Kansas City Athletics on August 3, 1962 — the winning blow in a 1–0 Cleveland victory.[4]

Jack Kubiszyn settled in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, after leaving baseball, where he founded an insurance agency and served on the city council during the 1990s.[5]