Red Zar

John Andrew Zar

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 205 lb.

• High School San Pedro High School

• Born November 25, 1920 in San Pedro, CA USA
• Died October 3, 2008 in Palm Springs, CA USA

BR register page

Biographical Information

Red Zar reached the highest level of the minors.

He signed with the New York Yankees after high school. In 1939, he was 1-2 with a 12.68 ERA and 2.46 WHIP for the El Paso Texans. He was much better in 1940 with the Idaho Falls Russets at 17-6, 3.21; he also hit .200. He tied Mel Ristau for 3rd in the Pioneer League in wins and was second in ERA (1.02 behind Larry Jansen). He tied Robert Weyrauch for 5th in wins by a Yankees farmhand.

In 1941, he moved up to the Norfolk Tars and posted a 7-8, 3.53 record. He pitched briefly for the 1942 Fort Worth Cats and Seattle Rainiers, reaching AA (then the highest classification). He joined the US Navy for World War II. Afterwards, he coached at Mary Star High School. He scouted numerous players from the San Pedro area: Joey Amalfitano, Alan Ashby, Bobby Balcena, Ray Deeter, Marco Guglielmo, Ed Hughes, Joe Lovitto, Garry Maddox, Nello Saggiani and Jerry Zuvela. He started an oil company, General Petroleum.

Source: Obituary