March 8:On this day in 1922, former major-leaguer Al Gionfriddo was born in Dysart, Pa.Gionfriddo, who played for the Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers during four major-league seasons, played two winters in the Cuban League with Almendares between 1948-50.
In 1948-49, Gionfriddo (shown in this 1949-50 Alerta premium) batted .308 as Almendares won the Cuban League pennant.
His best season in the majors came with the Pirates in 1945 as he hit .284 with 42 RBI. But Gionfriddo's claim to fame was a catch that came as a member of the Dodgers during the 1947 World Series.
With the Yankees leading the Series three games to two but trailing Game 6 by an 8-5 score, the Yankees had two on with two outs in the sixth inning when Joe DiMaggio laced a drive that appeared to be headed to the bullpen in left-center.
But Gionfriddo snagged the drive at the 415-foot mark of the short outfield fence, prompting the usually stoic DiMaggio to kick the dirt in frustration as he approached second base.
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