Gus Keriazakos – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Constantine Nicholas “Gus” Keriazakos had a short but memorable baseball career, wrapping up in 1955 after just three seasons in the majors. Born in West Orange, New Jersey, Gus was a tall right-handed pitcher, measuring 6 feet 3 inches, and made his debut with the Chicago White Sox at just 19 years old in 1950.

Keriazakos appeared in 28 games from 1950 to 1955, pitching for the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, and Kansas City Athletics before stepping away from pro baseball. He had a solid 1954 season with Washington, showing up in 22 games, posting a 3.77 ERA, and mainly working out of the bullpen.

Even though his time in the majors was brief, Keriazakos stands as one of those players who chased their baseball dreams in the 1950s. His journey from a New Jersey kid to the big leagues gives us a glimpse into the ups and downs of pro baseball back then, from developing his pitching to bouncing across teams, and finally, the tough call to retire at just 24.

Early Life and Background

Gus Keriazakos, born Constantine Nicholas Keriazakos on July 28, 1931, came from West Orange, New Jersey. He went to Montclair High School in nearby Montclair, where he really started honing his pitching skills before turning pro.

Birth and Family

Constantine Nicholas Keriazakos was born July 28, 1931, in West Orange, New Jersey. Folks started calling him “Gus” early on, and that stuck throughout his baseball days.

He was a Leo, if you care about that sort of thing. He grew up in Essex County, right near Newark.

West Orange was expanding in the 1930s, and Gus spent his childhood there during the tough Great Depression years. His family lived in a growing part of New Jersey, and the area was changing fast.

His full name, Constantine Nicholas, clearly points to his Greek roots. “Keriazakos” is a Greek surname, no doubt about it.

Education and High School Sports

Gus went to Montclair High School in Montclair, just next door to West Orange.

During high school, he developed as a pitcher. The school’s baseball program gave him the stage to show what he could do.

He threw and batted right-handed, and at 6 foot 3, he definitely stood out. That height gave him an edge as a high school pitcher.

After graduating, he skipped college. Instead, he jumped straight into professional baseball.

Path to Professional Baseball

Keriazakos didn’t go to college, which was pretty normal for young players in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

The Chicago White Sox signed him as a young prospect. At just 19, he made his major league debut on October 1, 1950.

He moved fast from high school to the big leagues, which was rare. Most guys spent years in the minors first.

He stood 6’3″ and weighed 187 pounds, so scouts liked his build for a pitcher. His right-handed delivery and size made him a pretty attractive pick.

The White Sox saw something in this New Jersey kid and gave him a shot at the majors. That moment kicked off his short but memorable MLB run.

Professional Baseball Career

Gus Keriazakos played professional baseball for three seasons between 1950 and 1955. He got into 28 major league games as a right-handed pitcher for three different American League teams.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Keriazakos debuted with the Chicago White Sox in 1950 at just 19. His first game came on October 1, 1950, making him one of the youngest players in the majors that year.

The debut was rough. He started one game, pitched only 2.1 innings, and gave up seven hits and five runs for a whopping 19.29 ERA.

He walked five, struck out just one, and the White Sox sent him back to the minors to work on his game. They hoped he’d develop more before returning.

Major League Teams

After 1950, Keriazakos spent time in the minors, then got another shot in 1954 with the Washington Senators.

He pitched in 22 games for Washington that year and started three. He improved a lot from his rookie season, throwing 59.2 innings with a 3.77 ERA.

He struck out 33 and completed two games. He finished 1954 with a 2-3 record, which was definitely his best year in the majors.

The Kansas City Athletics picked him up for 1955. Things didn’t go well there—he pitched in just five games, threw 11.2 innings, and posted a 12.34 ERA.

Retirement in 1955

Keriazakos played his last MLB game with Kansas City in 1955. He struggled with the Athletics, and that spelled the end of his big-league career at just 24.

He finished with a 2-5 record over 28 games, pitching 73.2 innings and striking out 42. His career ERA was 5.62, which tells you he had some tough outings.

After a rough 1955—giving up 15 hits in 11.2 innings—he didn’t get another shot in pro baseball.

He retired after the 1955 season. His three-year big league run spanned three American League teams in the 1950s.

Pitching Style and Performance

Gus Keriazakos brought a right-handed delivery to the mound during his short MLB career, putting up modest statistics over 28 games with three teams. He faced the usual challenges of being a reliever in the mid-1950s.

Right-Handed Pitcher Profile

At 6’3″ and 187 pounds, Keriazakos looked the part on the mound. As a right-handed pitcher, he tried to use his height to his advantage.

He mostly worked as a relief pitcher, especially during his 1954 season with Washington, when he came out of the bullpen 19 times. Relievers back then often had to be ready to go for multiple innings.

Most of his appearances came in relief, not as a starter. That meant he had to be flexible and ready for anything.

Key Pitching Statistics

Keriazakos wrapped up his career with a 2-5 record and a 5.62 ERA. Over three seasons—1950, 1954, and 1955—he struck out 42 batters.

His best year was 1954 with Washington. He threw in 22 games that season and put up a 3.00 ERA, his best mark in the majors.

In 1955, things went south. Playing for Kansas City, he pitched in just 5 games and had a 12.86 ERA over 11.2 innings.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 28
• Wins: 2
• Losses: 5
• ERA: 5.62
• Strikeouts: 42

Notable Games and Achievements

Keriazakos made his MLB debut on October 1, 1950, with the Chicago White Sox. Debuting as a teen was a big deal, and it showed people saw promise in him.

His best run came in 1954 with Washington. That 3.00 ERA over 22 games proved he could compete at the top level, at least for a while.

The 1955 stint with Kansas City ended his MLB journey. He pitched only on the road in his five games that year. The Athletics gave him one last shot, but it didn’t work out.

Keriazakos never threw a complete game in the majors. As a relief guy, he focused on shorter outings, which was typical for relievers at the time.

Teams Played For in MLB

Gus Keriazakos suited up for three American League teams from 1950 to 1955. He started with the Chicago White Sox, had his best season with the Washington Senators, and finished up with the Kansas City Athletics.

Chicago White Sox

Keriazakos made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 1950 at just 18. That first game was on October 1, 1950, and he was one of the youngest players in the league.

His first outing was tough. He started, lasted just 2.1 innings, and gave up 7 hits and 5 walks, allowing 5 runs.

His ERA was 19.29 in that lone appearance. He struck out just one batter.

Jumping to the majors at 18 isn’t easy, and it showed. After that, he didn’t pitch in the big leagues again for four years.

Washington Senators

Keriazakos had his best season with the Washington Senators in 1954. He pitched in 22 games that year.

At 22, he worked as both a starter and reliever, making 3 starts and coming out of the bullpen 19 times. He even completed 2 games.

His numbers with Washington:

• 2 wins, 3 losses
• 3.77 ERA
• 59.2 innings pitched
• 33 strikeouts

That was easily his top season. His ERA was better than league average, and his control improved a lot.

Kansas City Athletics

Keriazakos finished up with the Kansas City Athletics in 1955. The team had just relocated from Philadelphia.

His stint with Kansas City was short and didn’t go well. He pitched in just 5 games that season.

The stats weren’t pretty:

• 0 wins, 1 loss
• 12.34 ERA
• 11.2 innings pitched
• 8 strikeouts

He made 1 start and 2 relief appearances, giving up 15 hits and 7 walks in limited action.

After 1955, Keriazakos didn’t return to the majors. His career ended with the Athletics at just 23.

Career Statistics and Records

Gus Keriazakos put up modest numbers over his three MLB seasons from 1950 to 1955. He finished with 2 wins, 5 losses, a 5.62 ERA, 28 games, and 73.2 innings pitched.

Win–Loss Record

Keriazakos wrapped up his career with a 2-5 record and a .286 winning percentage. His best run happened in 1954 with the Washington Senators, where he put up a 2-3 record and a 3.77 ERA.

He struggled in his debut season with Chicago in 1950. Keriazakos gave up 5 earned runs in just 2.1 innings, which shot his ERA to 19.29 and handed him his first loss.

His final year with Kansas City didn’t go much better. In 1955, he went 0-1 with a 12.34 ERA, and that season marked the end of his time in professional baseball.

Games Played

Over three seasons, Keriazakos appeared in 28 MLB games. He started 5 and finished 2 complete games.

He was busiest in 1954, pitching in 22 games for Washington. That year, he started 3 times and finished 8 games in relief.

His career began and ended with only a few appearances. In 1950, he played just 1 game, and in 1955, he pitched in 5 games.

Batting and Fielding Stats

Keriazakos struck out 42 batters and issued 42 walks in his career. That left him with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of exactly 1.00.

He kept his fielding perfect, holding a 1.000 fielding percentage. He handled 15 chances without making an error.

Across 73.2 innings, he allowed 81 hits and 8 home runs. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) sat at 1.670, so he let runners on base pretty often.

Legacy and Life After Baseball

Gus Keriazakos quietly stepped away from baseball in 1955 after a brief but notable career that took him to three major league teams. After baseball, he lived a private life, mostly out of the public eye, until his death in 1996 at age 64.

Recognition and Influence

Keriazakos didn’t get much recognition during his short MLB career. He played only 28 games across three seasons from 1950 to 1955.

His peak year was 1954 with the Washington Senators. He got into 22 games that season, mostly coming out of the bullpen.

He posted his best earned run average, 3.77, while in Washington. That year, he started three games and completed two.

His career statistics look modest, but honestly, they’re respectable for a pitcher from that era. He finished with a 2-5 win-loss record and struck out 42 batters in 73⅔ innings.

Keriazakos stood 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 187 pounds. That kind of physical presence on the mound stood out among players back then.

Personal Life

People know little about Keriazakos’s personal life after baseball. He kept things private once he left the game.

He grew up in New Jersey and attended Montclair High School before his pro career. Back then, he played several sports—baseball, basketball, and track all made the list.

Keriazakos was born Constantine Nicholas Keriazakos on July 28, 1931, in West Orange, New Jersey. He was just 19 when he made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox.

His family background and relationships after baseball aren’t well documented. He really preferred to stay out of the baseball spotlight during his later years.

Date and Place of Passing

Gus Keriazakos died on May 4, 1996, in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

He was 64 years old then.

After his baseball career ended, he moved to South Carolina. The coastal resort town eventually became his final home.

Keriazakos spent 41 years living after his last MLB appearance in 1955.

His final game happened on September 23, 1955, with the Kansas City Athletics.

Baseball publications didn’t widely report the cause of his death.

He spent his later years quietly, away from the spotlight of professional baseball.