John Andre

John Edward Andre

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 200 lb.

• Debut April 16, 1955
• Final Game July 16, 1955
• Born January 3, 1923 in Brockton, MA USA
• Died November 25, 1976 in Centerville, MA USA

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Biographical Information

John Andre grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, where he was a close friend of future heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. They were battery mates for the local Catholic Youth Organization team which won the state championship. Andre was in the Air Force in the Pacific in 1945 and, after being released from the service the next year, pursued his baseball plans. He and Marciano went to a tryout camp of the Chicago Cubs and were rejected. Rocky gave up his baseball ambitions at this time, but Andre was eventually signed by the New York Giants and assigned to the Trenton Giants of the Class B Interstate League for the 1946 season.

In 1947, he won 15 games for the Seaford Eagles in the Class D Eastern Shore League, and the next season won 21 games for the same team while leading the loop in strikeouts. In 1949, he pitched for the Rehoboth Beach Sea Hawks of the same Eastern Shore League and again led the circuit in strikeouts. In 1950 and 1951, he was with the Granby Red Sox in the Class C Provincial League, winning 20 games in the latter season. In 1952, he won a total of 28 games, 25 in the regular season and 3 in the playoffs, for the Austin Pioneers of the Class B Big State League. The next two years, he pitched for the Shreveport Sports of the Class AA Texas League, winning 21 games in 1954.

Though he had successful years in the minors, it was not until April 16, 1955, that he made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs at the age of 32. He appeared in 22 games and was back in the minor leagues for one more year before retiring as a player.

Notable Achievements

• 1954 Pitcher of the Year Texas League Shreveport Sports

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave Memorial for John Andre