Zeke Bonura

Henry John Bonura
(Bananas)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 210 lb.
• School Loyola University New Orleans
• High School Saint Stanislaus College
• Debut April 17, 1934
• Final Game September 26, 1940
• Born September 20, 1908 in New Orleans, LA USA
• Died March 9, 1987 in New Orleans, LA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

“I played because I loved the game.” - Zeke Bonura, 1967

First baseman Zeke Bonura hit for average and power during his seven year big league career but was known to lack effort as a fielder.

Bonura (pronounced like Sonora) excelled at several sports during his younger years. As a teen, he was the 1925 National AAU Champion in the javelin throw, defeating 1924 Olympic gold medalist Johnny Myra, and set an American record (213 feet, 10 1/2 inches) which stayed on the books until 1930. He went on to attend Loyola University New Orleans, where he was on the baseball, football, basketball, and track teams. In the minors, he was the 1933 Texas League MVP while playing for the Dallas Steers.

The Chicago White Sox purchased Bonura's contract following the 1933 season, and he responded by hitting .302 with 110 RBI and a then team-record 27 homers (which also stood as the Sox rookie record until Ron Kittle broke it in 1983). In 1936, he drove in 138 runs, also a White Sox record until Albert Belle broke it in 1998. Over four seasons in Chicago, Bonura hit .315 and smashed 79 home runs. However, he was a liability in the field. Despite leading AL first basemen in fielding two times, he had little range and a reputation for a lack of effort: he often would simply wave his glove at ground balls as they came past, what became known as "the Bonura salute". He also angered Sox management with annual salary holdouts during spring training. Prior to the 1938 season, he was traded to the Washington Senators for Joe Kuhel, one of the best fielding first basemen of the era.

With the Senators in 1938, Bonura hit 22 homers and had 114 RBI before being traded to the New York Giants after the season. After being sent to New York, Bonura was quoted as saying "Now I won't be able to sign my letters Senator Henry J. Bonura, Democrat, Louisiana." Bonura played one year with the Giants, hitting .321, but his power numbers fell off. He split the next year between the Senators and the Chicago Cubs, with whom he ended his big league career.

Bonura missed 1942 to 1945 due to military service. He later managed in the minors for several years. A member of the Texas League Hall of Fame, Zeke died in 1987 at 78.

Notable Achievements

• 1933 Player of the Year Texas League Dallas Steers
• 20 Home Runs Seasons: 3 (1934-1935 & 1938)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 4 (1934 & 1936-1938)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1935-1936)

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
1946	Minneapolis Millers	American Association	8-11	--	New York Giants	--	replaced by Rosy Ryan (1-2) on May 5
1947	Stamford Bombers	Colonial League	67-61	3rd	none	League Champs
1948	Stamford Pioneers	Colonial League	54-78	6th	none
1949	Kingston Ponies	Border League		--	none	--	replaced by Harold Leach August 10
1951	Midland Indians	Longhorn League	49-34	5th	none		replaced interim manager on June 18
1952	Midland Indians	Longhorn League	49-45	--	none	--	replaced by Jay Haney (36-10) on July 28
1953	Fargo-Moorhead Twins	Northern League		1st	Cleveland Indians	League Champs	replaced by Santo Luberto June 24-July 11
1954	Lexington Colts	Mountain States League	30-36	--	none	--	Team disbanded July 7
	Hagerstown Packets	Piedmont League	32-27	5th	Washington Senators		replaced Paul Campbell (34-47) on July 12

Related Sites

• Zeke Bonura at the SABR Bio Project
• Baseball in Wartime - Zeke Bonura