Ken Silvestri, catcher

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Ken Silvestri, catcher

St. Paul Saints: 1938-39
Kansas City Blues: 1947, 1954

b. May 3, 1916 @ Chicago, Illinois
d. March 31, 1992 @ Tallahassee, Florida

Today we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of Kenneth Joseph “Hawk” Silvestri.

Silvestri’s career in pro ball began with the Rayne (Louisiana) Rice Birds (D) in 1936. He joined the American Association as a member of the St. Paul Saints during in 1938 when he helped lead the club to the league championship at the age of 22. He batted .272 for the Saints that year, appearing in 114 games with 95 games as catcher to his credit.

In 1939 Silvestri appeared in 60 games with the Saints, 44 as catcher, batting .271.

At the age of 31, he was a Kansas City Blue as a catcher in 44 games for the New York Yankee farm team, 83 games all tolled.

In his final American Association season with Blues, Silvestri batted .241 in 1954, again taking the role of catcher in 24 games in 48 games total.

Silvestri served in the US Army during World War II, earning three Bronze Battle Stars, according to Baseball Necrology. He was active in baseball as a player, coach, manager and scout.

He died at the age of 75 and is buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.

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