Slobodan Yovanovich

From BR Bullpen

Slobodan Yovanovich (Buddy)

  • Bats Right
  • Height 5' 10", Weight 195 lb.

BR register page

Biographical Information[edit]

Buddy Yovanovich enrolled in Purdue after being a high school football star but left school due to health reasons. He caught in the industrial leagues, starring there. He was a catcher for Team USA in the 1939 Amateur World Series. He signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 1944 and was assigned to their AA (the modern equivalent of AAA) affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs. He hit .258/.303/.258 in 10 games; Len Rice was their main catcher and Gilberto Valdivia the primary backup. He was 1 for 4 for the '45 Chiefs, driving in a pair (Joe Just and Russ Kerns were Syracuse's main catchers that year). He worked for the Ace Beverage Company before dying at age 35.