Former Italian / American Player & Long Time Boston College Coach: Eddie Pellagrini

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Edward Charles Pellagrini was born on March 13, 1918 in the Dorchester section of Boston, Massachusetts. The five foot nine infielder, got signed by the home town Red Sox. He was then drafted into military service, serving three years during World War II. His parents never understood baseball & wanted him to go to Boston College. 

 He returned from the service, to make 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 with two HRs, three doubles a triple & four RBIs. He did not play in the World Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. 

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

 After two seasons with the Browns he moved on to the Philadelphia Phillies (1951), Cincinnati Reds (1952)& Pittsburgh Pirates (1953-1954) 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. He played 222 games at short stop (.956%) 113 games at second (.984 %) 106 games at third base (.937%) & eight games at first base. 

  Retirement: After his playing days, he became the baseball coach at Boston College for thirty years, from 1958 to 1988. He led the BC 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 88.

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