Mike Balenti

Michael Richard Balenti

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.
• School Texas A&M University
• High School Carlisle Indian School
• Debut July 19, 1911
• Final Game September 22, 1913
• Born July 3, 1886 in Calumet, Indian Territory USA
• Died August 4, 1955 in Altus, OK USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Mike Balenti was Jim Thorpe's quarterback at the Carlisle Indian School, which was both a high school and a college. He signed with the Philadelphia Athletics and played baseball in the minor leagues in 1909, but then went on to play football at Texas A&M University, where he led the team to an undefeated season. There were protestations that Texas A&M was using professional players (including Balenti) but they led nowhere. He returned to the minor leagues in 1910, playing for the Savannah Indians of the South Atlantic League, then began 1911 with the Macon Peaches of the same circuit.

Blessed with great speed and an excellent arm for an infielder, Mike made his major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 1911, but played only 8 games. He also played with the St. Louis Browns in 1913, spending the entire season with the team, but his lack of hitting meant that he did not stick in the major leagues, as he hit .180 in 70 games that season. He played in the minor leagues until 1917. After his playing career, he managed the Guthrie team in the Oklahoma State League in 1922 and the Blackwell Gassers of the Southwestern League in 1926. Between the two stints, he was back as a player for the Henryetta Hens of the Western Association in 1923.

Balenti's father was an immigrant from Hungary who settled in Oklahoma, and his mother was half-Cheyenne and served as an interpreter for Army General Philip Sheridan. His uncle was fellow big leaguer Morrie Rath.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Playoffs	Notes
1922	Guthrie (Oklahoma State League)	Oklahoma State League	48-59	5th
1926	Blackwell Gassers	Southwestern League		6th		replaced Stormy Kromer

Related Sites

• Mike Balenti at the SABR Bio Project