Pete Suder – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Pete Suder isn’t exactly a household name these days, but if you dig into his 13-year run with the Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics, you’ll find a utility infielder who genuinely carved out a spot in baseball history. He did it with steady play and some real defensive excellence. Born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, Suder stuck with one organization for his entire major league career, from 1941 to 1955, except for a quick break when he served in World War II.

Suder really left his mark as part of one of baseball’s best defensive infields, helping the Athletics set a wild record—217 double plays in 1949. That record still stands. He played alongside shortstop Eddie Joost, first baseman Ferris Fain, and third baseman Hank Majeski. Together, they anchored a defense that kept the Athletics in the mix during the late ‘40s and early ‘50s.

Suder’s .249 career batting average might not wow anyone, but his value ran deeper than the numbers. He went from being a homesick kid in the Yankees’ farm system to a veteran leader who sat right next to manager Connie Mack in the dugout. That says a lot about his character and grit. Let’s get into Suder’s story—from his Pennsylvania roots to his minor league climb, his military service, and the moments that made him a key part of Athletics history.

Early Life and Background

Pete Suder came from a Serbian immigrant family in Pennsylvania’s steel country. He showed athletic talent early on.

His childhood in Aliquippa shaped his character and future in baseball, thanks to family values and the local sports scene.

Family Heritage and Childhood in Aliquippa

Peter Suder was born April 16, 1916, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, a steel town about 22 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. He was the eighth of ten kids in a big, hardworking family.

His father, Bozidar Sucevic—everyone called him “Bogic”—left rural Serbia before 1900. He worked as a wire-gauger at Jones and Loughlin Steel Company.

His mom, Smilja Segan, joined her husband in America after he got settled. The family changed their name from Sucevic to Suder because Mike’s bosses at the steel mill couldn’t pronounce the Serbian name. They helped the family pick something simpler.

The Suder home was always bustling. The first five kids—four girls and a boy—were born in Monessen, Pennsylvania. After Mike found better work in Aliquippa, five more boys came along, including Pete.

Most of the Suder boys had childhood nicknames that stuck. Milton became “Mooshie,” Theodore was “Tode,” and George went by “Juke.”

High School Sports Career

Aliquippa in the 1920s? The whole town was wild about sports, just like everywhere else in America back then. Pete shined in both baseball and basketball growing up.

He started playing baseball at seven for the Reds, a team named after a local bar. From elementary school on, he played basketball with Petar “Press” Maravich, who later became a famous college coach and father of NBA Hall-of-Famer “Pistol Pete” Maravich.

At Aliquippa High School, Suder starred on both the baseball and basketball teams. Scouts noticed his skills even before he graduated in 1934.

After graduation, he played American Legion baseball and caught the eye of Joe Beggs. Beggs pitched in the Yankees’ farm system and scouted for them too.

Nickname and Personal Traits

People called Pete Suder “Pecky” since he was a kid in Aliquippa. That nickname stuck with him all the way through his baseball career.

It really fit the family vibe—everyone had a nickname. “Pecky” became part of his identity, on and off the field.

Even as a young guy, Suder showed quiet determination. Growing up in a big immigrant family taught him hard work and persistence. Those lessons paid off later, especially when he climbed through the minors and made it to the majors.

Minor League Journey

Pete Suder’s road to the majors started in the New York Yankees organization in the late 1930s. He stood out with the Binghamton Triplets and picked up an Eastern League MVP award in 1940.

New York Yankees Farm System

Suder jumped into professional baseball at 19, signing with the Yankees in 1935. The Yankees’ farm system was massive, giving young players a ton of chances to develop.

He spent his first few years learning the ropes. The Yankees wanted infielders who could play all over.

Scouts noticed Suder’s athleticism and work ethic. He moved up the ladder by showing the same consistency that would define his career.

Class C Middle Atlantic League Years

Suder got his first pro experience in the Class C Middle Atlantic League. That league was a proving ground for young players making the jump from amateur ball.

He faced tough competition and sharpened his defense while learning to handle better pitching. His play there earned him a promotion to higher levels.

That time in the Middle Atlantic League helped get him ready for the challenges with the Binghamton Triplets.

Notable Seasons with Binghamton Triplets

Suder’s best minor league years came with the Binghamton Triplets from 1938 to 1940. The Triplets played a big role in the Yankees’ farm system.

On April 27, 1938, Suder smashed a grand slam 322 feet over the left field fence. That happened in the fifth inning against Ithaca College’s baseball team.

He mostly played third base for the Triplets. His steady defense and reliable bat made him an everyday guy for the club.

The Triplets played at Johnson Field in Johnson City. Sometimes, the Yankees would even play exhibition games there against their own minor league team.

Eastern League MVP and All-Star Achievements

In 1940, Suder capped his minor league career by winning the Eastern League MVP. That award recognized his all-around game.

He showed off both his bat and glove that year. Suder’s ability to play anywhere in the infield made him super valuable.

After 1940, he was ready for the next step. Major league teams kept a close eye on him, and the Philadelphia Athletics grabbed him in the Rule 5 Draft.

His success in the minors set him up for a 13-year major league career. The skills he built with the Triplets translated right into the big leagues.

Major League Career with the Athletics

Pete Suder played all 13 of his major league seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics, then the Kansas City Athletics. He was a steady utility infielder from 1941 to 1955.

His career spanned the team’s last years in Philadelphia and their move to Kansas City. He became a key piece during a big transition for the franchise.

Debut and Early Years with Philadelphia Athletics

Suder debuted on April 15, 1941, at 24, after the Athletics picked him in the 1940 Rule 5 Draft. Connie Mack, the legendary manager, put him in at third base right away.

His first game was a memorable one. He got his first big league hit—a double off Red Ruffing, a future Hall of Famer—in the ninth inning of a 3-1 win over the Yankees.

Suder started hot, batting .270 through July, but he faded a bit late and finished at .245 with four homers. He had trouble with speed, leading the league with 23 grounded into double plays that year.

He bounced around the infield early on—third base in 1941, shortstop in 1942, and second base in 1943. That versatility defined his whole career with the A’s.

Key Roles and Positions in the Infield

By 1947, Suder had pretty much locked down second base, though he still moved around when needed. His glove and steady play kept him in the lineup, even though his career average was .249.

The 1949 season really showed off his defense. Suder anchored the infield that set the major league record with 217 double plays. He and Eddie Joost made a great double-play combo.

Career Defensive Positions:

• Second Base: Main spot from 1947-1955
• Third Base: Started there in 1941, filled in often
• Shortstop: Regular from 1942-1946
• First Base: Filled in occasionally

Suder’s best year at the plate was 1949—he hit 10 homers and drove in 75 runs. On June 12, 1949, he had five hits in the second game of a doubleheader against St. Louis, going 7-for-10 for the day.

Team Relocation to Kansas City Athletics

When the Athletics moved to Kansas City in 1955, Suder stuck with the team for their first season in Missouri. At 39, he was the veteran presence during a big change.

After 54 years in Philadelphia, the team needed stability, and Suder helped provide that. He played in 98 games that season, mostly at second base.

His last major league game was September 25, 1955. The Athletics released him on June 1, 1955, but by then he’d played almost the whole year. That was the end of his playing days at age 39.

Notable Teammates and Leadership

Suder spent most of his career with some strong teammates. He played longest with shortstop Eddie Joost, who joined in 1947, and together they set that double-play record.

Key Teammates:

• Eddie Joost: Shortstop partner in that 1949 infield
• Ferris Fain: First baseman, two-time batting champ
• Hank Majeski: Third baseman, rounded out the infield

Connie Mack trusted Suder’s baseball smarts. He had Suder sit next to him in the dugout to keep track of balls and strikes. That says a lot about how much the manager valued his attention to detail.

Suder led by example and with humor. Sportswriters often called him the wittiest player on the team, and his steady presence helped in both good and tough seasons.

Statistical Accomplishments

Pete Suder put up solid career numbers across 13 seasons with the Athletics. He helped anchor a defensive infield that turned more double plays than any team in big league history.

Batting Average, Hits, and Home Runs

Suder wrapped up his career with a .249 batting average over 1,421 games. He collected 1,268 hits in the majors.

His best year at the plate was 1949—he hit 10 home runs and drove in 75 runs.

Career Offensive Totals:

• Batting Average: .249
• Total Hits: 1,268 hits
• Home Runs: 49 home runs
• Games Played: 1,421 games

Suder’s most memorable offensive game came on June 12, 1949, in a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns. He went 2-for-4 in the opener and then racked up five hits in the nightcap, including two doubles and a homer.

RBI and Runs Scored

Suder racked up 541 RBIs and crossed the plate 469 times in his career. In 1949, he put up his best offensive numbers with 75 RBIs.

He launched his first career grand slam on August 1, 1946, taking Chicago White Sox pitcher Gordon Maltzberger deep. That blast happened in a 7-6 loss to the White Sox.

Run Production:

• Career RBIs: 541
• Career Runs Scored: 469
• Best RBI Season: 75 RBIs in 1949

Suder didn’t really fit the mold of a power hitter. Instead, he made his mark as a steady contributor, always putting the ball in play and coming through in key spots.

Fielding Percentage and Defensive Records

Suder’s biggest statistical highlight came as part of the Athletics’ standout defense. In 1949, the Philadelphia Athletics infield turned 217 double plays, smashing the old record of 198.

He moved around the infield, playing second base, shortstop, and third base. That kind of versatility made him a real asset for Connie Mack.

Defensive Highlights:

• 1949 Team Record: 217 double plays (MLB record)
• Double Play Partners: Eddie Joost (shortstop), Ferris Fain (first base)
• Positions Played: Second base, shortstop, third base

The Athletics turned over 200 double plays for three straight years with Suder at the heart of it. No other team has matched that.

Suder always took pride in never letting a runner take him out when he turned double plays. People noticed his steady glove and started calling him one of the most dependable infielders of his time.

Signature Moments and Achievements

Pete Suder’s career really stood out for his defensive skills and his role in that legendary defensive record. He and shortstop Eddie Joost teamed up for a double-play combo that still sets the bar.

Double Plays and the ‘Twin Killings’ Record

Suder helped anchor the Philadelphia Athletics’ record-setting infield. In 1949, the team pulled off 217 double plays, breaking the 1945 Red Sox’s mark of 198.

They didn’t stop there. The A’s turned more than 200 double plays in 1949, 1950, and 1951. No one else has done that in baseball history.

Suder and Eddie Joost built what many saw as the best double-play combination of their era. Joost once said, “Pete Suder and I were the best double-play combination I ever saw.”

The infield also included third baseman Hank Majeski and first baseman Ferris Fain. Together, they made the A’s one of the toughest defensive teams of the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Suder took real pride in his toughness during those “twin killings.” He never let a runner take him out at second base, a credit to his quick feet and sense of timing.

Major League Defensive Highlights

Suder’s ability to play anywhere in the infield made him valuable for the A’s. He started games at second, short, and third, giving Connie Mack plenty of options.

His glove was always reliable, no matter where he played. Mack once said Suder was “the smoothest fielder I have had since Larry Lajoie,” which is some pretty high praise.

Even when Suder’s bat cooled off, his glove kept him in the lineup. His career average sat at .249, but his defense and flexibility made up for it.

Starting in 1947, Suder did more than just play. Connie Mack had him sit next to him in the dugout as his spotter, tracking balls and strikes during games.

Final Seasons and Legacy Plays

Suder’s best year at the plate came in 1949. He set career highs with 10 home runs and 75 RBIs, all while helping the A’s set that double-play record.

One of his most memorable games happened on June 12, 1949, in a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns. Suder went 7-for-10 that day, including his only five-hit game in the second matchup.

Even at 37 in 1953, Suder matched his career best with 130 hits and hit .286. That kind of durability and value, especially late in a career, is impressive.

He hit his first grand slam on August 1, 1946, off Gordon Maltzberger. The A’s lost 7-6, but for Suder personally, it was a big moment.

The A’s kept making Suder their Opening Day starter in all but two of his 13 seasons. That kind of consistency says a lot about how much the team trusted him.

Military Service and Career Interruptions

World War II put Pete Suder’s baseball career on hold from 1944 to 1945. When he got back, he picked up his professional playing career and became one of the club’s veteran leaders.

World War II Enlistment

The Army drafted Suder in March 1944, right in the thick of World War II. He went through processing at New Cumberland Gap, Pennsylvania, before joining the Army Corps of Combat Engineers.

He worked on building steel pontoon bridges, probably using skills he picked up in the steel mills back home in Aliquippa. That experience came in handy while serving in Europe.

Suder’s engineering unit helped the Allies move forward by building bridges over the Rhine River. The work was risky and demanded a lot of focus under fire.

Like a lot of athletes back then, Suder put his career aside to serve. Those two years away came right in the middle of what could’ve been his best seasons, at ages 28 and 29.

Return to Baseball after the War

When Suder came back to the A’s in 1946, Connie Mack used him as a reserve at first. But by early May, Mack put him back in the starting lineup at shortstop.

Suder took advantage of the chance, hitting over .300 by the end of May and carrying that strong play through the season.

He played every infield spot that year and batted .281 in 128 games. On August 1, he hit his first grand slam against the White Sox, taking Gordon Maltzberger deep in a 7-6 loss.

The war didn’t take away his defensive skills. He quickly reminded everyone he was one of the most reliable infielders around. His military service seemed to give him a more mature approach to the game.

Life After Retirement

After hanging up his spikes, Pete Suder went into baseball management and scouting, then moved on to a law enforcement career. He spent his later years back in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, staying active in the community.

Minor League Managing and Scouting

Suder started managing in the minors in 1957, taking over the Kinston Eagles. The team moved mid-season and became the Wilson Tobs, finishing 51-89 and landing in eighth place in the Carolina League.

In 1958, he managed the Fox Cities Foxes in the Three-I League. That year, his team finished sixth with a 56-73 record. Both jobs came under the Washington Senators organization.

After managing, Suder switched to scouting for the Senators. He used his baseball experience to evaluate up-and-coming players. That role let him stay close to the game and travel around checking out talent.

Community Involvement and Later Years

After his baseball career, Suder moved back to his hometown, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. He took a job as a guard at the Beaver County Jail and started a new path in law enforcement.

People noticed Suder’s dedication and work ethic, so they promoted him to warden. He managed the staff and took charge of daily operations at the facility, showing leadership outside the world of baseball.

Once he retired from law enforcement, Suder stayed in Aliquippa. He lived a quiet life in his hometown until he passed away on November 14, 2006, at 90.

His life stretched across nearly a century. He saw a lot change in baseball and American society during his years.