Paul Popovich

Paul Edward Popovich
(Popo)

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
• School West Virginia University
• High School Flemington (WV) High School
• Debut April 19, 1964
• Final Game July 21, 1975
• Born August 18, 1940 in Flemington, WV USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Paul "Popo" Popovich was a capable backup infielder who spent two stints with the Chicago Cubs in the 1960s and 1970s. The switch hitter also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates.

An article in Baseball Digest from August 1975 called "Bench Warmers Aren't Meant to be Heroes" spent several paragraphs on Popovich (and has a photo of him). Popovich talked about being glad that he was a back-up. He remembered that he became a back-up when the Chicago Cubs had Glenn Beckert - but the Digest noted that Popovich's major league career outlasted Beckert's. The Digest continued that Popovich had been a second baseman for his whole career until the Cubs sent him in 1966 to winter instructional camp to learn third base and shortstop, and to switch-hit.

Popovich remembered, as a thrill, playing behind Don Drysdale when Drysdale set the consecutive scoreless inning streak.

Through 2009, Paul is the major leaguer with the second-highest number of total at-bats out of West Virginia University, behind Charlie "Piano Legs" Hickman.