Dick Sipek

Richard Francis Sipek

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 170 lb.
• High School Illinois School for the Deaf
• Debut April 28, 1945
• Final Game September 29, 1945
• Born January 16, 1923 in Chicago, IL USA
• Died July 17, 2005 in Quincy, IL USA

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Biographical Information

Dick Sipek was a deaf major league baseball player, and the first not to have the nickname of "Dummy." Sipek, who became deaf around age five, was mentored by Luther Taylor at the Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville, IL. Sipek was the last deaf major leaguer until Curtis Pride in the 1990s.

Although he was in the majors only one season, he was used frequently, appearing in 82 games (of which 31 were in the field).

His obituary states his minor league career ended in 1951 after an injury. He worked for years at a bakery and then became a custodian.

He had been an all-state back in football and began his minor league baseball career in 1943, hitting over .300 for the Birmingham Barons two years in a row.

Related Sites

• Dick Sipek at the SABR Bio Project