Free Republic

Andy Pafko, a Wisconsin native who eventually got his wish to play for the Milwaukee Braves and became a fan favorite, died Tuesday at 92 in a nursing home in Stevensville, Mich. Beyond playing for the Braves during their glory days in the late 1950s, Pafko played for the Chicago Cubs in the 1945 World Series, the last year the Cubs made it that far. He also played left field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951 and stood with his back against the wall at the Polo Grounds as Bobby Thomson hit the "shot heard 'round the world" to give...

Former Cubs star Andy Pafko had a good bat, a memorable nickname and a reputation as one of the friendliest players in the game. Pafko, 92, died Tuesday in a nursing home in Stevensville, Mich., the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. A popular five-time All-Star who played 17 seasons and appeared in 24 World Series games — including the Cubs' last visit to the Series in 1945 — Pafko had a lifetime .285 average with 213 home runs and 976 RBIs playing for the Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves.