Les Sheehan, the PCL star

By the 1920s, the Pacific Coast League was the premier minor league. If you were signed to one of their clubs and received a starting gig, you could pretty much sit back and wait for the Major League Baseball contracts to roll in. However, some players fell through the cracks of MLB scouts. One of those players, Les Sheehan, patrolled the outfield for various PCL clubs from 1920 to 1928 without making an appearance in an MLB game.

Sheehan was born Leslie Maurice Sheehan on July 30, 1894 in Sacramento, California. His parents, Timothy Sheehan and the former Mamie O'Rorke, both had families that hailed from Ireland. Timothy, who was originally from Portland, Maine, worked as a blacksmith in the Sacramento area. Early in his life, Les played with local sandlot teams. He attended Sacramento's public schools where he honed his baseball skills. He considered joining the outfield tandem for the PCL's Oakland Oaks in 1915, but declined.

In 1916, Sheehan served as the captian of the University of Santa Clara baseball team. After the collegiate season, he joined the minor league Great Falls Electrics of the Class-B Northern League where in 66 games he batted a respectable .311. His average was good enough for a trial with the PCL San Francisco Seals. He batted .281 in 24 games played.

Sheehan ventured south in 1917 and signed with the Birmingham Barons of the Class-A Southern Association. He served as a starting first baseman for the Barons, who gave him his first full season of pro-baseball. On the season, he batted just .225 in 151 games played. It would later prove to be the only season of Sheehan's career as a first baseman.

At the height of World War I, Sheehan was drafted into the U.S. Military, subsequently putting his baseball career on hold. He finished his service in 1919 and joined the semi-pro Woodland Yippers of the Trolley League. After the '19 season, he was released by the Yippers so he could join his home-town Sacramento Senators of the PCL for the 1920 season. Before the start of the season, Sheehan traveled to Japan and China for a baseball tournament.

On May 1, Sheehan was forced into service as a pitcher after the Senators used up their pitching staff. He pitched three full innings and gave-up one earned run. Most of his season was spent at third base. He batted .225 in 145 games played. He re-signed with the Senators during the '21 season and on June 14, Sheehan hit two home runs in a game against the Oakland Oaks which put Sacramento within one and a half games out of first place in the PCL. He raised his batting average to .277 that season. All of his games that year were spent in the outfield.

In February 1922, Sheehan married the former Madelyn Huss of Sacramento. Although friends of the couple knew of their engagement, the two eloped without alerting anyone. Despite initial reports that he was to appear as the Senators' first baseman for the '22 season, he played the majority of the season in right field. He also served as a utility infielder. He finished the season with a .273 average in 175 games played.

For the price of $1,000, Sheehan was sold by the Senators to the PCL Salt Lake City Bees. Sheehan was slated to start at second base for the Bees. He had a break-out season in '23. He hit .338 in 196 games played. Amongst league batters, he led in doubles (72), was second in total bases (460), third in home runs (36) and fifth in hits (272).

Following-up his best season on record was going to be difficult for Sheehan. At the start of the season, it was announced that he was going back to his former position in right field. He exceeded the standard he set during the 1923 season as he batted .346 in 168 games played. After the season, The Oakland Tribune wrote that Sheehan wasn't getting noticed by any MLB team because the market he was playing in was too small. Despite the report, Sheehan re-signed with the Bees for the '25 season.

He had another stellar season in the Bees' outfield. Sheehan was second in the league in doubles (69) and fourth in home runs (33). His average that season didn't miss a beat from the previous year as it was just four points lower. In March 1926, Sheehan signed with the PCL Hollywood Stars. In July, he broke his finger and was out until early-August. His statistics took a dip that season, but were still on a respectable level as he hit .306 in 116 games. His power numbers declined as he only hit 23 doubles and five home runs.

The 1927 season proved to be another down-hill campaign for Sheehan, who was still on the Hollywood roster. In 117 games, he batted .288. On January 29, 1928, Sheehan was sold by the Stars to the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Class-A Southern Association. William Lane, the Stars president and the man who orchestrated the deal, said that Sheehan had to go because Hollywood was in a re-building phase, but also said that he was a "good worker" over his two-seasons with the club.

Sheehan refused to report to his new team and was effectively a free agent. On May 11, he signed with his old team, the PCL Sacramento Senators. On the year, he batted .261 in 51 games played. His role that season was primarily as a utility player and pinch hitter. Sheehan started the '29 season with the Senators, but was eventually sold to the PCL Portland Beavers. He played just one game that season, going hitless in one at-bat. Sheehan, who was 34, effectively retired from pro-baseball after that season.

By 1930, Sheehan was living in Sacramento with his wife, Madeline, and their daughters Marilyn and Marvine. He was working as an oil-company salesman. In 1942, Sheehan was living at 841 46th Street in Sacramento with his wife. He was working for the Veteran's Welfare Board. He died on August 12, 1961 in his home-town of Sacramento.

References:

"1900 United States Census". ''U.S. Census Bureau''. U.S. Federal Government. 1900.

"1910 United States Census". ''U.S. Census Bureau''. U.S. Federal Government. 1910.

"1930 United States Census". ''U.S. Census Bureau''. U.S. Federal Government. 1930.

"Leslie Sheehan U.S. Passport Application". ''U.S. Department of Labor''. U.S. Federal Government.

"[Untitled]". "The Oakland Tribune" (Oakland, California). p.42. 19 September 1915.

"Les Sheehan May Join the Capital Yippers". "Woodland Daily Democrat" (Woodland, California). p. 4. 24 February 1920.

"Baseball Season Opens on April 6". "Woodland Daily Democrat" (Woodland, California). p. 8. 31 March 1920.

Murphy, Eddie (2 May 1920). "Oaks Make Merry At Expense of B. Rodgers Pitchers". The Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California). p. 46.

"Les Sheehan Signs Life Contract". "Woodland Daily Democrat" (Woodland, California). p. 1. 9 February 1922.

"Sacramento Coasters". "Woodland Daily Democrat" (Woodland, California). p. 4. 18 March 1922.

"Coast Teams Swing Into Action". "Ogden Standard Examiner" (Ogden, Utah). p. 14. 2 April 1922.

"Salt Lake Expects Much of Les Sheehan". "Woodland Daily Democrat" (Woodland, California). p. 5. 14 March 1922.

"1923 Pacific Coast League Batting Leaders". "Baseball-Reference.com". Sports Reference LLC.

"Bees Lineup For First Game With Oaks". "The Oakland Tribune" (Oakland, California). p.34. 4 April 1924.

"Sheehan Good Player". "The Oakland Tribune" (Oakland, California). p. 41. 10 October 1924.

"1924 Pacific Coast League Batting Leaders". "Baseball-Reference.com". Sports Reference LLC.

"1925 Pacific Coast League Batting Leaders". "Baseball-Reference.com". Sports Reference LLC.

"1926 Pacific Coast League Batting Leaders". "Baseball-Reference.com". Sports Reference LLC.

"Visner-Nelson Rematched". "The Oakland Tribune" (Oakland, California). p. 13. 31 March 1926.

"Statz's Great Play Helps Los Angeles Win Crucial Series". "The Oakland Tribune" (Oakland, California). p. 13. 31 March 1926.

"Les Sheehan Sold by the Stars to Chattanooga Club". "The Oakland Tribune" (Oakland, California). Associated Press. p. 12. 30 January 1928.

"Les Sheehan Signs With Senators". "The Oakland Tribune" (Oakland, California). p. 30. 12 March 1928.

"Many P.C.L Players Are After Batting Title". "The Oakland Tribune" (Oakland, California). p. 31. 26 March 1929.

"World War II Draft Registration Card". "U.S. Military". U.S. Federal Government. 1942.

"Social Security Death Index". U.S. Federal Government. 1961.

Early exit: Jiggs Parrott

I want to take you back in time. No, I don't have a Delorian or a friend by the name of Doc Brown. But I do have the power of research. The date is July 14, 1871. The place is East Portland, Oregon (which was its own city back then). Thomas H. Parrott and the former Eliza Ann Rhodes just gave birth to a son, Walter Edward "Jiggs" Parrott. The Parrott family, who were originally from England, were big players in the early formation of Portland's east-side.

Thomas H. Parrott owned a music shop and trained all of his seven children, including Jiggs, to play musical instruments. Jiggs Parrott spent most of his youth playing baseball with classmates and on the local sandlots. He and his brothers, Tom and Dode, signed with the East Portland Willamettes, a popular amateur club. In 1890, Jiggs Parrott signed with one of the first professional baseball circuits to make it Oregon, the Pacific Northwest League.

Parrott, along with his brother Tom, were assigned to the Portland Webfeet . Jiggs played third base for the team. He batted .268 in 94 games played. He finished second in the league in home runs (5) and fourth in doubles (24). In 1891, Parrott re-signed with the Portland club, who were now re-named the Gladiators. During his tenure with Portland, he was said to have "excite[d] the admiration of all the bleachers".

Before the start of the 1892 season, Parrot bulked-up and signed with Minneapolis Minnies of the Class-A Western League (which would later become the American League). On the season, he batted .317 in 41 games played. He was tied for second in the league in home runs (6).

Cap Anson, the manager of the Chicago Colts at the time, was impressed by Parrott and signed him to a contract. Anson believed that Parrott could be transformed into one of the best players in Major League Baseball. He made his MLB debut on July 11, 1892. At the time of his debut, he was the first player from the State of Oregon to make an appearance in an MLB game (his brother, Tom, would be second). For the majority of the season, Jiggs batted in the second hole in the Colts line-up. He finished the season with a not-so respectable .201 in 78 games played. Parrott finished the season third amongst National League third baseman in fielding percentage ( .891).

In 1893, The Sporting Life wrote a scathing report of Parrott, calling him an "erratic player" and questioning Anson's decision to hold onto him. However, the same publication called Parrott "a little less than brilliant" during the June stretch of the MLB season. Despite the on-again-off-again criticism of Parrott, Anson called him a "well behaved young man". However, Anson still made a change and moved Parrott to the seventh hole in the batting order. He hit .244 in 110 games played. He finished the season with the fifth highest fielding percentage amongst third basemen (.904).

Anson converted Parrott to a second baseman in 1894 to make room for a new prospect, Charlie Irwin, at third base. Anson received heavy criticism from Chicago papers for continuing to play Parrott. It was reported that fans held a disdain for Parrott, beyond the conventional heckling. His batting average that season made a four-point improvement to a .248 clip in 126 games played.

Parrott received another conversion in 1895, this time to the utility role as Anson signed second baseman Ace Stewart (whose MLB career would only last that season). Anson conceded to the angry Colts fans, and promised he would only put him in the line-up during away games. Parrott appeared in just three games that season, getting one hit in four at-bats.

After being released by Chicago, Parrott signed with the Rockford Forest Cities of the Class-B Western Association. His batting average took a dramatic up-tick from his days in the majors as he batted .351 in 26 games played. He started the '86 season with the Grand Rapid Rippers of the Western League as their starting third sacker. He was released on June 22. Soon after that, he was picked-up by the Columbus Senators, who were also members of the Western League. Combined between the two clubs, he batted .306 in 86 games played.

Parrott's health began to deteriorate at the start of the 1987 season. He re-signed with the Senators, but was soon released. He then signed with the Dubuque, Iowa Western Association club, with whom he batted .213 in 15 games.

After the '87 season, Parrott was forced out of professional baseball due to his failing health. Initially, he returned to his family home in Portland. However, he soon found he health getting much worse, so he traveled to New Mexico to help ail his tuberculosis. While in New Mexico, he wrote his family back in Oregon and alerted them that he was moving to Arizona, where the weather was better for his condition.

Parrott told his parents that the Arizona climate was making his feel much better. However, he succumbed to a long battle with tuberculosis on April 19, 1898 and died at the age of 26. His brother, Archie, was en-route to Arizona when he was telegraphed of Jiggs' death. Archie continued to retrieve his brother's remains and bring them back to Portland. On April 23, Archie returned to Portland with his brother's body. The family held his funeral on April 25, at the family home. The Oregonian reported that 500 people witnessed his burial at Lone Fir Cemetery.

References:

Armour, Mark. "Jiggs Parrott". The Society for American Baseball Research Biography Project. The Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved 31 May 2011.

"1890 Portland". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 31 May 2011.

"1890 Pacific Northwest League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 31 May 2011.

"1891 Portland Gladiators". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 31 May 2011.

"The Base Ball World". Spokane Daily Chronicle (Spokane, Washington): p. 2. 7 April 1891.

"1892 Minneapolis Minnies". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 June 2011.

"1892 Western League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 June 2011.

"Players by birthplace: Oregon Baseball Stats and Info". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 June 2011.

"1892 National League Fielding Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 June 2011.

"Baseball Notes". The Milwaukee Journal (Milwaukee, Wisconsin): p. 8. 29 August 1894

"1893 National League Fielding Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 June 2011.

"Untitled". The Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois): p. 8. 11 May 1896. Retrieved 1 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Untitled". The Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois): p. 7. 23 June 1896. Retrieved 1 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Diamond Dust". The Milwaukee Journal (Milwaukee, Wisconsin): p. 15. 9 September 1896.

"Jiggs Parrott Heard From". The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon). 28 December 1897.

"Death of Jiggs Parrott". The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon). 16 April 1898.

"Great Third Baseman: Remains of 'Jiggs' Parrott Brought Home For Burial". The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon). 23 April 1898.

"Funeral of Jiggs Parrott". The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon). 25 April 1898.

My Wikipedia account

Hey everybody! I am aware that this is not the most publicly viewed blog out there, but I thought I would let everyone know that you can find me on Wikipedia at User:Halvorsen brian. If you would like me to research a baseball player for you (or to find out if I did) you can shoot me an e-mail or contact me on my Wiki account. Thanks for reading!

Nick Koback, a big 'baby'

In 1947, Major League Baseball implemented the Bonus Rule, which took various forms since it's inclusion in the rule book to its abandonment in 1965. At the time that Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Branch Rickey signed Hartford Public High School stand-out catcher Nick Koback, the rule stated that the "bonus baby" Koback must be a member of the team's MLB roster for two years before he could be demoted to a farm club.

Koback was born Hartford, Connecticut on July 19, 1935. His father, Nickolai Koback was from Poland and worked at the Hartford Screw Company. While in high school, Nick Koback played on the school's baseball team, and during his sophomore season, he led his club to the Triangular League Championship. He was also a member of the school's basketball team. Koback served as a guard. He graduated in 1953 and let the MLB contract offers roll in.

According to Koback, he received offers from the Boston Red Sox, Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Red Sox wanted to send him to their Class-B minor league affiliate, which wouldn't do for the young catcher. Initially, Koback walked away from the Pirates contract offer, which he felt was inadequate in the salary department. Eventually, Pirates GM Branch Rickey forked over the most money ($20,000), and Koback signed. He later recalled, "Money looks awfully big to an 18-year-old".

Upon his debut with the Pirates, Rickey released pitcher Bob Schultz, a four-season cup-of-coffee southpaw. Koback was immediately put through a training program which was led by Pittsburgh coaches. He made his MLB debut on July 29, 1953 as a pinch hitter for catcher Mike Sandlock against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. He accumulated two at-bats that night, going hitless in both. In his next game, which was his first career start, Koback caught a complete game shutout, which was delivered by Pirates pitcher Murry Dickson. Koback also got his first MLB hit that game, coming off of Chicago Cubs pitcher Paul Miner.

Koback saw limited time over the remainder of the '53 season. He finished with a .125 batting average with two hits, including a triple, in 16 at-bats. After the season, he joined MLB pitcher Spec Shea, who led a travailing team around the U.S. Koback received a hero's welcome back in Hartford after completing his first MLB season. His former high school coaches invited him to a banquet in his honor and Koback served as a quest speaker at a Hartford firefighter's convention.

At the start of the 1954 season, Koback was issued to report to spring training early as a part of a rookie development program put-on by the Pirates organization. Pittsburgh began taking criticism on keeping players like Koback who showed potential, but who weren't ready for full-time duty in the majors. Sam Cohen, a Connecticut sports writer criticized the rule by saying "[the rule] we feel hampers rather than aids the costly prospects' development, because in practically every case, they see so little action". He went on to use Koback as an example of how the rule hinders young players. On the season, Koback would play just four games. He went hitless in 10 at-bats.

In January 1955, Koback re-signed with the Pirates. He was later asked how he interacted with his then rookie teammate Roberto Clemente. Koback stated, "Sometimes [Clemente] would come out on the field and bullshit with me. He'd say 'Hey you—strong guy!" On May 17, Koback made his season debut in a game against the Cincinnati Reds. In that game, he got a hit off of Reds pitcher Joe Nuxhall. Koback's last MLB hit came on June 5 against Cincinnati pitcher Jackie Collum. On Independence Day, Koback played the final game of his short MLB career. It was later noted that Koback was used as the Pirates bullpen catcher for most of his career. In seven at-bats that season, he got two hits.

On July 12, 1955, Pittsburgh sent Koback down to the minor league Lincoln Chiefs of the Class-A Western League. Upon reporting, Koback wasn't disheartened, stating that he intended to work his way back-up the organizational ladder and return to the majors. With the Chiefs, he batted .223 in 38 games played. Before the start of the '56 season, Koback was assigned to the Hollywood Stars during the Pacific Coast League's open classification period. He played with the Stars on Opening Day, but appeared in just nine games after that. He was then sent to the Double-A New Orleans Pelicans and later the Class-A Williamsport Grays. Combined between his three clubs that season, Koback batted a respectable .288 in 83 games.

After the 1956 season, he joined the Mexican Pacific League. Before the start of the '57 season, Koback played a charity game as a member of the Hartford Young Democrats against the Republicans. He began the season with Hollywood again, but was soon demoted to the Mobile Bears of the Double-A Southern Association, and later the Pelicans of New Orleans. Although his statistics for the Mobile club are not know, his combined total between Hollywood and New Orleans is a .217 batting average in 52 games played.

In 1958, Koback signed with the Salt Lake City Bees, who farmed him out to the Lincoln Chiefs for the season. He batted .240 that year in 68 games. After the season, he joined the Nebraska National Guard and took up primary residency in that state. He was still under contract with the Bees in 1959, who farmed him out to the Class-A Columbus-Gastonia Pirates. Koback batted just .226 in 50 games. Before the start of the 1960 season, Salt Lake City traded Koback to the Triple-A Charlton Senators in exchange for former MLB outfielder Chick King. After just five games that season, Koback was forced to retire at the age of 24 due to an injury to his throwing hand.

Despite his injury, Koback was not finished with sports. He spent many years as a golf instructor in Hartford and played numerous pro-am tournaments. In 2004, Koback was inducted into Hartford Public High School's Athletic Hall of Fame for his contributions to the school's team in the early-to-mid '50s. Koback currently resides in Weatogue, Connecticut.

References:

U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes". U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. U.S. Federal Government.

Amore, Dom (10 July 2010). "Dom Amore On Baseball: Hartford Native A '50s 'Bonus Baby'". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut). Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Hartford Tire Nine In Jaycee Finals Ineligible Player Disqualifies Phantoms". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. A2. 27 August 1950. Retrieved 7 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Eight Vets Head Baseball Hopefuls At Hartford High". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 14. 8 April 1952. Retrieved 7 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Owls Hope Nakonechny Can Check Bulkeley Today". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 18. 21 May 1952. Retrieved 7 June 2011. (subscription required)

Cunavelis, Jimmy (10 December 1952). "Hartford High Five Spills Manchester In Debut, 49–42". Hartford, Connecticut. p. 18. Retrieved 7 June 2011.

"Nick Koback Signs With Pittsburgh". The Hartford Courant(Hartford, Conncticut): p. 30. 10 July 1953. Retrieved 7 June 2011.(subscription required)

"Koback Among Seven Pirate Rookies Attending Haney's Three-Day School". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 13. 14 July 1953. Retrieved 7 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Pirates Add Bonus Catcher". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania): p. 17. 10 July 1953.

Biederman, Les (1 July 1955). "The Scoreboard". The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania): p. 12.

"Pirates Open 'School' for Rookies". Beaver Valley Times.United Press International (Rochester, Pennsylvania): p. 6. 14 July 1953.

"Another Bonus Baby". Toledo Blade. Associated Press (Toledo, Ohio): p. 55. 12 July 1953.

"Released 300 Players". The Lewiston Daily Sun. Associated Press (Lewiston, Maine): p. 13. 12 October 1953.

"Jul 29, 1953, Pirates at Cardinals Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 7 June 2011.

Perrotto, John (27 May 1998). "Ready or not, Ramirez getting his shot at third". Beaver County Times (Pennsylvania): p. 24.

"Nick Koback 1953 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 7 June 2011.

"Jul 31, 1953, Pirates at Cubs Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
"Pirates Haney Is Learning How the Other Half Lives". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press (Milwaukee, Wisconsin): p. 1. 15 August 1953.

"Aug 30, 1953, Braves at Pirates Play by Play and Box Score".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Sep 26, 1953, Giants at Pirates Play by Play and Box Score".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Shea All-Stars In Hartford Game With Piershall, Jay". Meriden Journal (Willingford, Connecticut): p. 3. 19 September 1953.

"'It's The Life,' Says Koback, Hartford Boy With Pirates". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 1. 30 September 1953. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Nick Koback Invited To Sports Night Rally". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 18. 15 October 1953. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Nick Koback To Speak To Firemen Tonight". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 19. 22 October 1953. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Future Fire Fighters Entertained by Koback". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 23. 23 October 1953. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

Reichler, Joe (16 January 1954). "Impressive Group of Rookies To Appear at Pittsburgh Camp". Reading Eagle. Associated Press (Reading, Pennsylvania): p. 6.

Hernon, Jack (10 February 1954). "Roamin' Around". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania): p. 19.

Hand, Jack (20 March 1954). "Newfound Homer Power Gives Pirates Hope-But That's All". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press (Daytona Beach, Florida): p. 1.

Peterson, Leo H. (28 March 1954). "Pirates Shakeup Biggest, Still Isn't Enough". The Altus Times-Democrat (Altus, Oklahoma): p. 3.

"Jul 11, 1954, Pirates at Giants Box Score and Play by Play".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Nick Koback 1954 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Jul 17, 1954, Pirates at Cubs Box Score and Play by Play".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

Cohen, Sam (25 July 1954). "Bonus Rule Detrimental in Koback Case". Sunday Herald (Bridgeport, Connecticut): p. 106.

"Sep 22, 1954, Pirates at Phillies Box Score and Play by Play".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Sep 26, 1954, Pirates at Dodgers Box Score and Play by Play".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Hartford's Nick Koback Signs Pirates' Contract". The Hartford Courant. United Press International (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 15. 20 January 1955. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

Reichler, Joe (25 January 1955). "Pittsburgh Pirates 'Banking' On Rookies". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press (Ocala, Florida): p. 5.

"Nick Koback 1955 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"May 17, 1955, Pirates at Reds Play by Play and Box Score".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

Maraniss, David (2006). Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 80. ISBN 0-7432-1781-0.

"Jun 5, 1955, Reds at Pirates Play by Play and Box Score (1)".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Jun 5, 1955, Reds at Pirates Play by Play and Box Score (2)".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Jun 19, 1955, Pirates at Reds Play by Play and Box Score".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Jul 4, 1955, Giants at Pirates Play by Play and Box Score".Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Pirates Sell Bonus Baby Nick Koback". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania): p. 16. 12 July 1955.

"1955 Lincoln Chiefs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Untitled". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 19A. 2 November 1955. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)
"1956 Hollywood Stars". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Clay Hopper Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Nick Koback Catches Opener for Hollywood". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 18. 11 April 1956. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

"St. Claire Hits Pinch Homer to Beat Stars, 5-4". Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California): p. B1. 5 May 1956. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"1956 New Orleans Pelicans". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Nick Koback, Former Hartford High Catcher, Joins Williamsport Today". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 25. 18 May 1956. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Jack Fitzpatrick Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Koback To Play In Mexican Loop". The Hartford Courant(Hartford, Connecticut): p. 20. 9 October 1956. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Politicos Playing Heart Fund Game". The Hartford Courant(Hartford, Connecticut): p. 22. 1 March 1957. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Angles to Clash With Stars Today". Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California): p. C1. 17 March 1957. Retrieved 8 June 2011.(subscription required)

"Nick Koback Shipped To Mobile by Stars". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 19. 22 May 1957. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Shepard Tests Infielders, Smith Shines". The Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah): p. 25. 3 April 1958.

"Untitled". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 5D1. 18 May 1958. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

"1958 Lincoln Chiefs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Nick Koback Enlists In Nebraska Guard". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 18A. 17 September 1958. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

"1959 Columbus/Gastonia Pirates". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"'Bonus' Players Fail to Impress". Sunday Herald (Bridgeport, Connecticut): p. 89. 23 August 1959.

"Buzzers Get King In Deal". The Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah): p. 21. 15 April 1960.

"1960 Charleston Senators". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

"Nick Koback Goodwin Park Aide; Golf Show at Avon Stirs Interest". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 20A. 15 April 1965. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

Griffith, Owen (29 May 1966). "Former Golf Winners to Bid Again In Courant Tournament of Champions". The Hartford Courant(Hartford, Connecticut): p. 8C. Retrieved 8 June 2011.(subscription required)"Koback Names Pequot Assistant". The Day (Southeastern Connecticut): p. 10. 5 May 1970.

Canfield, Owen (10 June 1969). "Sore-Handed Nick Koback Wins Event at Cliffside". The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut): p. 29. Retrieved 8 June 2011. (subscription required)

"Nick Koback". Hartford Public High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Hartford Public High School. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

The Celebrity Black Book: Over 55,000 Accurate Celebrity Addresses. West Hollywood, California: Mega Niche Media. 2006. p. 387. ISBN 0970709579.