Richard Ronovsky

Richard C. Ronovsky

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0" Weight 185 lb.
• College University of Illinois
• High School Morton East High School

• Born June 12, 1921 in Chicago, IL USA
• Died January 14, 2007 in La Grange Park, IL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Richard Ronovsky played four years in the minor leagues for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, once driving in 100 runs.

An only child, Ronovsky was raised in Cicero, Illinois. He graduated high school in 1939 and played baseball for a year at the University of Illinois before he was signed to his first pro contract. He debuted in 1940 with the Eau Claire Bears and Fond du Lac Panthers (hitting .322 with 3 HR and 42 RBI). In 1941, he batted .342 with 12 HR and 100 RBI for the Green Bay Blue Sox and briefly appeared for the Madison Blues. His 153 hits led the Wisconsin State League and he was among the leaders in average, trailing Adolf Krauss and Andy Pafko. He tied for fifth in homers and was behind only Pat Seerey on the RBI front.

In 1942, Ronovsky hit .286 with 4 HR and 54 RBI for Madison. His career was then interrupted by World War II. He spent the next couple of years with the Coast Guard. He would remain in the Naval Reserves after the conflict ended.

Returning to baseball in 1946, the outfielder split the year three ways - with the Portsmouth Cubs (under 10 games), the Davenport Cubs (.209/~.259/.284 in 41 games, though he fielded .985, the best of any Three-I League flyhawk with 15+ outings) and the Shelby Cubs (.262/~.314/.333 in 55 games). It was his last season in pro ball.

Ronovsky played semipro baseball after his professional career ended and served in the military again during the Korean War, starting in 1951. Stationed in San Diego, CA, he played baseball on a Navy team.

After his baseball career ended, Ronovsky worked in accounting, at an insurance company, and as a travel agent. He married coworker Elaine Vrdsky in 1949 and would have two kids, Kimberly Brems and Richard A. Ronovsky. He had four grandchildren - Scott Brems, Joseph Ronovsky, Michael Brems and Jaclyn Ronovsky.

He also was a village trustee for La Grange Park, IL from 1979 through 1995. He coached La Grange Park's Little League and softball teams, getting to coach both of his kids.

Richard had a stroke in 1996 and was paralyzed from the waist down. He passed away at age 85 in Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital of heart and kidney failure.

Sources include 1947 Baseball Guide, Pat Doyle's Professional Baseball Player Database, Chicago Tribune obituary