Al Sima

Albert Sima

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 187 lb.

• Debut June 28, 1950
• Final Game September 19, 1954
• Born October 7, 1921 in Mahwah, NJ USA
• Died August 17, 1993 in Suffern, NY USA

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Biographical Information

Left-hander Al Sima was signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Giants before the 1942 season. The 20-year-old pitcher was assigned to the Salisbury Giants of the North Carolina State League and also worked with the Bristol Twins of the Appalachian League in his first pro season, putting together a combined 6-9 record with a 3.03 ERA. He would have just about the same schedule in 1943 only this time with the Richmond Colts of the Piedmont League and the Jersey City Giants of the International League. His record improved to 11-9 with a 3.24 ERA in his second year in the pro game.

Sima entered the Military Services for the next two seasons (1944-1945), serving with the United States Navy during World War II. Returning from the service, the now 25-year-old pitcher spent the next five seasons in the minor leagues before getting his first chance in the majors. Al had his best year thus far in 1948 with the Jacksonville Tars of the South Atlantic League going 14-11 with a 2.63 ERA. Sima dropped considerably in 1949 and the Giants sold his contract to the Washington Senators.

Sima was with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern Association in 1950 and won 8 and lost 5 with a 3.00 ERA in 19 games. He also got his first chance in the majors with the Senators, where he had a 4-5 record with a 4.79 ERA in 17 outings. He got another look in 1951, going 3-7 that season; he also spent time back with Chattanooga where he fell to 5-9 for the year. 1952 arrived and Sima wasn't getting any younger, age 30 in fact, so the former Golden Gloves boxing champion decided to get tough and that he did. Al went back to the AA Chattanooga club and put together a 24-9 record with a 3.06 ERA, while pitching 279 innings, and helping his team to the Southern Association league pennant. His 24 wins were a league-leading number and gave him a berth on the All-Star team.

This showing without a doubt got Al another look from the Senators in 1953, but he went 2-3 in 31 games and on November 30th, the Chicago White Sox took him in the 1953 Rule V draft. Al was with the White Sox until mid-season of 1954 when he was traded to the Philadelphia Athletics, along with Sonny Dixon, Bill Wilson and $20,000 in return for Morrie Martin and Ed McGhee. Sima didn't perform in 1954 and it turned out to be his last chance in the major leagues. He finished up his 4 seasons in the big leagues with a 11-22 record and a 4.61 ERA.

Sima spent five more seasons in pro ball (from 1955 to 1959), all in the minors, where he played 14 seasons and wound up with a 111-103 record and a 3.42 ERA. Al had spent 18 active seasons on the diamond and retired at age 37. After baseball, Sima worked as a parimutuel clerk at the Monmouth Race Track. He died on August 17, 1993, at age 71 in Suffern, New York.

Sources

Baseball Players of the 1950s