Italian American Pro Ball Player Brothers: Eddie & Bob Pellagrini

Edward Charles Pellagrini was born on March 13, 1918 in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended Boston College and got signed by the home town Red Sox as an infielder. He was drafted and served three years military service during World War II.

He made his MLB debut in April of 1946, entering the game as a pinch runner for the injured Johnny Pesky. Later in his first career at bat he hit a HR off Sid Hudson of the Washington Senators. He only played in 22 games for the ’46 pennant winning Red Sox, hitting .211 but did not play in the World Series.

After two seasons in Boston he was traded to the St. Louis Browns where he saw action in 105 games, batting .238 with 2 HRs 8 doubles & 27 RBIs. He turned 85 double plays playing at shortstop, posting a .965 fielding %.

After two seasons with the Browns he moved on to Philadelphia, Cincinnati & Pittsburgh playing as a reserve infielder through the 1954 season. He finished his eight year career with a .956 fielding percentage batting .226 with 321 hits 20 HRs 42 doubles & 13 triples playing in 563 games.

Retirement: After his playing days, he became the baseball coach at Boston College for thirty years, from 1958 to 1988. He led the Eagles to 358 wins & three appearances in the College World Series. In 1997 the baseball field at Boston College was named in his honor. Ed “Pelly” as he was affectionately known passed away at Weymouth, Massachusetts in 2006 at the age of 78.

His brother Bob Pellagrini is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was a linebacker in the NFL from 1956-1965 with the Philadelphia Eagles & Washington Redskins. Bob Pellagrini appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in November 1955, when he was All American at the University of Maryland.