Cass Michaels

Casimir Eugene Michaels
born Casimir Eugene Kwietniewski
played as Cass Kwietniewski in 1943

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.
• High School Hamtramck High School
• Debut August 19, 1943
• Final Game August 27, 1954
• Born March 4, 1926 in Detroit, MI USA
• Died November 12, 1982 in Grosse Pointe, MI USA

BR page

Biographical Information

A native of Detroit, MI, Cass Michaels came directly to the majors from high school and played two games for the Chicago White Sox in 1943 under his given name of Casimir Kwietniewski. He changed his name, feeling it was too long and infielder Cass Michaels was back with the White Sox to stay after hitting .356 for the Little Rock Travelers in 1944.

He saw a lot of playing time at second and third base and shortstop until 1949, when he settled in at second and hit for a .308 average in all 154 games for the White Sox. He was the starting second baseman for the American League in the All-Star Game that summer, but with the arrival of Nellie Fox he was traded to the Washington Senators early in the 1950 season.

Cass, who was also with the the St. Louis Browns in 1952 and the Philadelphia Athletics in 1953, returned to the White Sox in 1954 - where he played nine of his twelve seasons - and made the switch back to third base. At 28 years of age he was beaned by a pitch that left him with impaired vision and ended his career. He was a .262 lifetime hitter in just under 1,300 games with a very respectable 35 percent OBP.

After his playing days, he ran a popular neighborhood bar in suburban Detroit (Warren, MI) and was also employed by the Department of Public Works in Grosse Pointe, MI, where he died November 12, 1982 at age 56.

Notable Achievements

• 2-time AL All-Star (1949 & 1950).

Related Sites

• [1] Article on Cass Michaels in The Hardball Times.