Jim Konstanty played three seasons of varsity basketball for Syracuse University (lettering once), along with playing for the baseball team for three seasons (1937-1939). An outstanding athlete, he also lettered in soccer and boxing at Syracuse (as a heavyweight). He was the captain of the baseball team, pitched and played third base his senior year.

He made his mark in sports history in major league baseball as a reliever primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies. Konstanty was one of the preeminent relievers of his era, posting a career record of 66-48 with a 3.46 era in 473 games, and 74 career saves, over 11 seasons.

In 1950 Konstanty led the Philadelphia "Whiz Kids" to the National League pennant and won the National League Most Valuable Player award. He went 16-7 with a 2.66 era, a then league record 74 games pitched, and 22 saves. He was known for an outstanding slider and a great palmball. At one point in the season he pitched 22 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball spanning 13 relief appearances.

Over the course of his career he played for the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves, Phillies, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Konstanty served in the Navy from 1944-1945. Ironically, during his time in the service he played against Syracuse for the Navy team, and beat the Orangemen.

Konstanty had opened a sporting goods store in Oneonta, New York in 1948, and he would operate that store until 1973. After his professional baseball career ended he would serve as a minor-league pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. From 1968 to 1972 he was the director of athletics at Hartwick College. [1]

Konstanty passed away in June, 1976.

© RLYoung 2005, 2006, 2012, 2016

[1] SABR Baseball Biography Project