Dick Raklovits

Richard Frank Raklovits

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 185 lb.

• School Western Michigan University, University of Illinois
• High School Fenger High School
• Born June 30, 1928 in Chicago, IL USA
• Died November 21, 2017 in Kalamazoo, MI USA

BR register page

Biographical Information

Dick Raklovits played in the minors.

Raklovits was the All-American third baseman in 1951; he was also All-Big Ten Conference in football. That summer, he played briefly for the Brooklyn Dodgers' St. Paul Saints affiliate, hitting .250/.308/.306 and handling 20 chances error-free at the hot corner, backing up Don Hoak and Al Brancato. He missed 1952-1953 while serving in the US Army in the Korean War. In 1954, he returned to the field with the Elmira Pioniers, batting .269/.370/.401 with 11 triples, 79 walks, 74 runs and 71 RBI. He fielded .993 in the outfield and .954 at short (better than another Eastern League shortstop that year who would go on to big things with the glove, Bill Mazeroski). He was 10th in the EL in runs (between Billy Moran and Neil Chrisley), tied Clyde Parris and Ron Plaza for third in three-baggers, was 8th in RBI and 5th in walks.

Despite having done a fine job as a pro, that was it for his playing career. He was assistant baseball and football coach at the University of Illinois from 1955-1957. He then became a professor at Western Michigan University and taught in the physical education department for 34 years; he also was assistant football coach and golf coach while there. Sources include WMU obituary, 1955 Baseball Guide