Monchak was a native of Bayonne, New Jersey. He served in World War II, achieving the noncommissioned officer (NCO) rank of Staff Sergeant (S-SGT), the campaigns in which he served include Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe receiving the following citations: American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Medal, according to War Department Adjutant General's Office Form (WD AGO Form) 53-55 dated 1 November 1944 Box 32 Battles and Campaigns, Box 33 Decorations and Citations, and Box 38 Highest Grade Held.[1] Before the war, his MLB career began as the shortstop with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1940. During the 1940 season, he was a .143 hitter (2-for-14) with one run and one stolen base in 19 games.
Following his military service, Monchak continued to pursue his childhood dream of a career in baseball by being on the field of play. He became a Minor Leaguemanager from 1949 to 1961, acting as a player/manager through 1956, and winning four championship titles. He later served as a scout and instructor in the California Angels system (1962–70). Both he and Joe Lonnett were named first- and third-base coaches respectively by managerChuck Tanner with the Chicago White Sox on October 2, 1970.[2] All three would serve in similar capacities together with the White Sox (1971–75), Oakland Athletics (1976) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1977–84). His childhood dream came true when he was the first base coach with the "We Are Family"Pirates in 1979, who became MLB World Champions. He continued as Tanner's first-base coach when he joined the Atlanta Braves on October 14, 1985, and would serve with the team from 1986 to 1988.[3]
Monchak was named the 2009 winner of the Roland Hemond Award by Baseball America in December 2009. The award recognizes baseball figures who have made long-term contributions to scouting and player development operations.[4]
Monchak died on September 12, 2015, at the age of 98.[5] At the time of his death, he was recognized as the third oldest living Major League player.
^War Department Adjutant General's Office Form (WD AGO Form) 53-55 dated 1 November 1944 Box 32 Battles and Campaigns, Box 33 Decorations and Citations, and Box 38 Highest Grade Held, War Department Adjutant General's Office(WD AGO), January 6, 2016
^"White Sox Name 2 Coaches," The Associated Press (AP), Friday, October 2, 1970. Retrieved December 10, 2021
^"Atlanta Braves hire new coaches," The Associated Press (AP), Tuesday, October 15, 1985. Retrieved December 10, 2021
^"BaseballAmerica.com: Majors: Awards: All-Stars: Baseball America 2009 Award Winners". December 20, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
Retrosheet
January 03, 2023
monchak, alex, monchak, march, 1917, september, 2015, american, baseball, shortstop, played, briefly, philadelphia, phillies, during, 1940, season, listed, feet, inches, pounds, batted, threw, right, handed, primarily, known, first, base, coach, major, league,. Alex Monchak March 5 1917 September 12 2015 was an American baseball shortstop who played briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1940 season Listed at 6 feet 0 inches 1 83 m 180 pounds 82 kg he batted and threw right handed He was primarily known as the first base coach for all the Major League Baseball MLB teams managed by Chuck Tanner from 1971 to 1988 including the 1979 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates Al MonchakShortstopBorn 1917 03 05 March 5 1917Bayonne New Jersey U S Died September 12 2015 2015 09 12 aged 98 Bradenton Florida U S Batted RightThrew RightMLB debutJune 22 1940 for the Philadelphia PhilliesLast MLB appearanceSeptember 1 1940 for the Philadelphia PhilliesMLB statisticsBatting average 143Home runs0Runs batted in0TeamsPhiladelphia Phillies 1940 Contents 1 Biography 2 Minor League Championship Titles 3 References 4 External linksBiography EditMonchak was a native of Bayonne New Jersey He served in World War II achieving the noncommissioned officer NCO rank of Staff Sergeant S SGT the campaigns in which he served include Normandy Northern France Ardennes Rhineland and Central Europe receiving the following citations American Theater Ribbon European African Middle Eastern Ribbon Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal according to War Department Adjutant General s Office Form WD AGO Form 53 55 dated 1 November 1944 Box 32 Battles and Campaigns Box 33 Decorations and Citations and Box 38 Highest Grade Held 1 Before the war his MLB career began as the shortstop with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1940 During the 1940 season he was a 143 hitter 2 for 14 with one run and one stolen base in 19 games Following his military service Monchak continued to pursue his childhood dream of a career in baseball by being on the field of play He became a Minor League manager from 1949 to 1961 acting as a player manager through 1956 and winning four championship titles He later served as a scout and instructor in the California Angels system 1962 70 Both he and Joe Lonnett were named first and third base coaches respectively by manager Chuck Tanner with the Chicago White Sox on October 2 1970 2 All three would serve in similar capacities together with the White Sox 1971 75 Oakland Athletics 1976 and Pittsburgh Pirates 1977 84 His childhood dream came true when he was the first base coach with the We Are Family Pirates in 1979 who became MLB World Champions He continued as Tanner s first base coach when he joined the Atlanta Braves on October 14 1985 and would serve with the team from 1986 to 1988 3 Monchak was named the 2009 winner of the Roland Hemond Award by Baseball America in December 2009 The award recognizes baseball figures who have made long term contributions to scouting and player development operations 4 Monchak died on September 12 2015 at the age of 98 5 At the time of his death he was recognized as the third oldest living Major League player Minor League Championship Titles EditYear Team League Organization1950 Odessa Oilers Longhorn League None1953 Lexington Indians Tar Heel League None1956 Wellsville Braves PONY League Milwaukee Braves1958 Cedar Rapids Braves Three I League Milwaukee BravesReferences Edit Biography portal World War II portal War Department Adjutant General s Office Form WD AGO Form 53 55 dated 1 November 1944 Box 32 Battles and Campaigns Box 33 Decorations and Citations and Box 38 Highest Grade Held War Department Adjutant General s Office WD AGO January 6 2016 White Sox Name 2 Coaches The Associated Press AP Friday October 2 1970 Retrieved December 10 2021 Atlanta Braves hire new coaches The Associated Press AP Tuesday October 15 1985 Retrieved December 10 2021 BaseballAmerica com Majors Awards All Stars Baseball America 2009 Award Winners December 20 2009 Retrieved December 21 2015 Alex Monchak Retrieved December 21 2015 External links EditCareer statistics and player information from MLB or Baseball Reference or Baseball Reference Minors Baseball in Wartime Retrosheet Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Al Monchak amp oldid 1119880987, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
