John Pappalau

John Joseph Pappalau

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
• School College of the Holy Cross
• Debut June 9, 1897
• Final Game June 22, 1897
• Born April 3, 1875 in Albany, NY USA
• Died May 12, 1944 in Albany, NY USA

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Biographical Information

"Pitchers in the New York State League may come and go, but it begins to look as if John Pappalau . . . is to go on forever." - from The Sporting Life, June 15, 1912

John Pappalau was one of three players who were at the College of the Holy Cross in 1897 and came to the majors. Doc Powers and Bill Fox were the others. Chief Sockalexis had been at Holy Cross in 1895-96, and made his major league debut in 1897 along with Pappalau on the 1897 Cleveland Spiders. Pappalau later returned to Holy Cross as head coach in 1902.

Pappalau had a long minor league career. In 1894 he played in the New York State League. Twenty years later, in 1914, he was also in the New York State League. In addition to his many years in the New York State League, he also played for years in the Eastern League, the Western League and part of one season in the Connecticut League. From 1901-12 he won in double figures in every year except 1903, when he came close with 9 victories.