Nick Koback

Nicholas Nicholie Koback (July 19, 1935 – January 23, 2015) was a Russian American professional baseball player whose career spanned eight seasons, three of which were spent with the Major League Baseball (MLB) Pittsburgh Pirates (1953–55).

At the age of 17, Koback signed with the Pirates as a bonus baby out of Hartford Public High School.

He made his MLB debut without ever playing in the minor leagues.

At the time, he was the youngest Pittsburgh Pirates player ever.

During his first career start, Koback caught a complete game shutout by Pirates pitcher Murry Dickson.

Most of Koback's time with Pittsburgh was spent as a bullpen catcher.

Over his three-year MLB career, Koback compiled a .121 batting average with one run scored, four hits, one triple and one base on balls in 16 games played.

Nicholas Nicholie "Nick" Koback was born on July 19, 1935, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Nickolai Koback, who was a naturalized citizen of the United States originally from Russia.

He worked at the Hartford Machine Screw Company.

Nick Koback attended Hartford Public High School where he played baseball.

During his sophomore season, his school's team won the Triangular League championship.

In May 1952, Koback missed playing time for his high school team due to a broken finger.

He also played guard on the school's basketball team.

Koback graduated from Hartford Public High School in June 1953.

On July 9, 1953, after being scouted by Ed McCarrick, Koback was signed by the Major League Baseball (MLB) Pittsburgh Pirates out of high school.

Koback received contract offers from the Boston Red Sox, Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and New York Giants who wanted to start him out in the minor leagues, but he declined after Pittsburgh offered the most money.

Koback later said in an interview with The Pittsburgh Press that "Money looks awful big to an 18-year-old".

Koback was signed under the Bonus Rule which at the time stated that he had to be on the Pirates roster for two years.

To fit Koback on the roster, Pirates general manager Branch Rickey released pitcher Bob Schultz.

The official sum of his contract was not initially disclosed.

However, his contract was later valued at US$20,000.

Upon joining the Pittsburgh club, Koback went through a three-day training program with Pirates coaches.

He made his MLB debut on July 29, without ever playing in the minor leagues, as a pinch hitter for catcher Mike Sandlock against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

In both of his at-bats he had over the night, Koback went hitless against St. Louis pitcher Harvey Haddix.

Koback was the youngest Pittsburgh player ever at 18 years and 10 days old when he made his MLB debut.

He got the first start of his career on July 31, against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

During that game, Koback caught the entire game, which was a complete game shutout by Pirates pitcher Murry Dickson.

Koback got his first MLB hit that game against Cubs pitcher Paul Minner.

In his next game on August 1, against the Cubs, Koback got his first career sacrifice hit.

In mid-August, Pirates manager Fred Haney stated that Koback "is a good receiver but he's only a kid".

During the first game of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Braves on August 30, Koback served as a pinch hitter for pitcher Roger Bowman when he got his first career MLB triple off pitcher Johnny Antonelli.

Koback's final game of the season came on September 26, against the New York Giants at Forbes Field.

In that game, he started as the catcher going hitless in three at-bats.

After the 1953 season, Koback played amateur baseball on pitcher Spec Shea's traveling team.

After returning to his home-town from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kocack was asked if he felt any homesickness during the season, to which he replied, "Homesick? I was too busy and too excited to be homesick".

While in Hartford for the off-season, Koback was the guest of honor at a Hartford Public High School sports rally.

He gave a speech to local fire fighters, which was received positively according to The Hartford Courant.

The majority of his playing career was spent in the minor leagues with the Lincoln Chiefs (1955, 1958), Williamsport Grays (1956), Hollywood Stars (1956–57), New Orleans Pelicans (1956–57), Columbus/Gastonia Pirates (1958) and Charleston Senators (1960).

He batted and threw right-handed.

During his career, he weighed 187 lb and stood at 6 ft. After retiring from baseball, Koback played pro–am golf in Connecticut.