Stan Rojek – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Stan Rojek made a name for himself as a Major League Baseball shortstop in the 1940s and early 1950s. He played for four different teams during a decade shaped by World War II and some seriously tough competition.

He was born in North Tonawanda, New York, back in 1919. Rojek worked his way up through the Brooklyn Dodgers’ farm system until he finally got his shot in the big leagues in 1942.

Rojek’s best season happened in 1948 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He started all 156 games at shortstop, hit .290, and somehow finished tenth in National League MVP voting. His career took a fun twist when his teammates started calling him “The Happy Rabbit” because of his upbeat attitude and how quick he was around the infield.

Even though teams traded him a few times, Rojek kept his defensive game sharp. He showed he could be a steady, everyday player when he got the chance.

Rojek served three years in the Army Air Force during World War II. When he came back, he found himself behind Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reese in Brooklyn. The Dodgers sold him to Pittsburgh in 1947.

He bounced around a bit, landing in St. Louis twice—first with the Cardinals, then the Browns. His last major league game came on May 13, 1952, capping off a decade-long career.

Early Life and Background

Stan Rojek grew up in a Polish immigrant family in North Tonawanda, New York. He was born on April 21, 1919.

His dad, Andrzej, worked as a carpenter and contractor before switching gears and becoming a dairy farmer. The family lived along the Niagara River, right between Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Birth and Family Origins

Stanley Andrew Rojek came into the world on April 21, 1919, in North Tonawanda. His parents, Andrzej and Apolonia Rojek, both had Polish roots.

Andrzej immigrated to the U.S. in 1905 from Wylawa, Galicia—now part of modern-day Poland. He hustled through various jobs, starting as a house carpenter, moving up to building contractor, and then settling into dairy farming.

Stan had two brothers, Anthony and Theodore, and an older sister named Julia. Later, Anthony and Theodore would join him as business partners in the family dairy.

The Rojek family really lived out the American immigrant story. They worked hard to build a life in their new country, but they never let go of their Polish heritage.

North Tonawanda and Community

North Tonawanda offered a solid backdrop for Stan’s childhood. The city sits right on the Niagara River, wedged between Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

That spot gave the community a vibe all its own. Folks there valued hard work and family, and those traits definitely rubbed off on Stan.

A lot of Polish-American families lived in the Niagara River region while Stan was growing up. That cultural support helped families like the Rojeks feel at home.

Stan watched his dad work hard and soaked up those lessons. They’d stick with him when he started chasing professional baseball.

High School Years

Stan went to North Tonawanda High School. He played both baseball and basketball for the school teams, showing off some real athletic range.

Basketball helped him develop quick reflexes and agility. Those skills would come in handy later at shortstop.

During his high school baseball career, Stan started catching the attention of scouts. He stood out among other local players in Western New York.

After graduation, he kept playing semipro baseball in the area. Brooklyn Dodgers scout Dick Fischer noticed him and eventually signed Stan to his first pro contract in 1939.

Major League Baseball Debut

Stan Rojek broke into Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers in September 1942. He was 23 and made an immediate impact as a pinch-runner during a crucial pennant race.

He had worked his way through the Dodgers’ farm system, but military service soon put his baseball dreams on pause.

Joining the Brooklyn Dodgers

Stan signed with the Dodgers in 1939 after Dick Fischer spotted him playing semipro ball. He started his pro career in the Class D PONY League with Olean, New York, hitting .320—not bad for someone playing just 84 miles from home.

Over the next three seasons, Rojek climbed through Brooklyn’s farm system. He played for the Dayton Wings in 1940 and the Durham Bulls in 1941, then got promoted to Montreal—the Dodgers’ top farm team—in 1942.

He hit .283 in Montreal and made the International League All-Star team. That earned him a call-up to Brooklyn in September 1942.

Initial Playing Years

Rojek made his MLB debut on September 22, 1942. He came in as a pinch-runner during one of the wildest pennant races in baseball history and scored the run that forced extra innings between the Dodgers and Giants.

He only played one game that season before military service took him away. World War II had other plans for him from 1943 to 1945. He still played over 200 games for military teams in the Pacific.

When Rojek returned to Brooklyn in 1946, he backed up Hall of Fame shortstop Pee Wee Reese. He played 45 games and hit .277. On May 8, 1946, he drove in the first run of a key ninth-inning rally against Cincinnati.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Rojek hit his stride after joining the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1948. He became one of the National League’s top shortstops.

That 1948 season put him in the MVP conversation and led to some impressive stats.

Breakout with Pittsburgh Pirates

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded Rojek to Pittsburgh on November 14, 1947. That move finally let him step out of Pee Wee Reese’s shadow.

In 1948, Rojek played every inning of all 156 games for the Pirates. His durability and consistency made him a key player that year.

He batted .290—a big jump from his limited time in Brooklyn.

Rojek’s defense stood out all season. He anchored the Pirates’ infield and played nearly error-free baseball at shortstop.

1948 MVP Consideration

Rojek’s 1948 performance earned him 10th place in National League MVP voting. That’s not something you see every day.

He got MVP votes mostly for his offense. Rojek led the National League with 150 singles, showing he could hit for contact all year long.

His combination of batting average, defense, and durability made him a valuable asset. Not many shortstops matched his all-around game that year.

That season was the high point of Rojek’s career. Sadly, getting beaned in 1949 messed with his performance after that.

Notable Stats and Records

Rojek finished with a .266 career batting average in 523 major league games. He suited up for four teams between 1942 and 1952.

He hit 4 home runs and had 122 RBIs. Those numbers show he was more of a contact hitter than a power guy.

Key Career Statistics:

• Games played: 523
• Batting average: .266
• Home runs: 4
• RBIs: 122
• Teams: Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns

His 1948 season was the statistical standout. Leading the league in singles while batting .290 really showed off his consistency at the plate.

Seasons with Different Teams

Stan Rojek played for four major league teams. He had his best years with the Pittsburgh Pirates after leaving Brooklyn.

His roles changed from backup to starter, depending on what the team needed and how he was playing.

Time with Brooklyn Dodgers

Rojek started his big league career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. He only played one game, coming in as a pinch-runner and scoring the tying run in the ninth against the Giants.

After three years in World War II, Rojek came back to Brooklyn in 1946. He competed for time behind Pee Wee Reese and mostly filled backup spots at shortstop and second base.

In 1946, he played 45 games and hit .277. On May 8, he drove in the first run of a four-run ninth-inning rally against Cincinnati. He even played in the first major league playoff game that year.

His 1947 season was a bit busier, with 32 games played. Rojek filled in for injured players and started ten straight games at shortstop from August 24 through September 1. During that run, he batted .314 with six RBIs and made zero errors.

He didn’t play in the 1947 World Series, but the Dodgers gave him a full winner’s share of $4,081. The team sold him to Pittsburgh that November for $50,000, along with first baseman Ed Stevens.

Performance with Pittsburgh Pirates

Rojek’s career took off with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1948 to 1951. The trade gave him a shot at regular playing time, especially after shortstop Billy Cox got traded to Brooklyn.

His 1948 season was his best. Rojek played all 156 games at shortstop, helping Pittsburgh climb from last to fourth place. He led National League shortstops with 475 assists and finished second in double plays with 91.

Batting leadoff, Rojek hit .290 with 27 doubles, five triples, and four home runs. He led the league in plate appearances (713) and at-bats (641), and finished third in hits (186) and stolen bases (24). That year, he finished tenth in MVP voting.

Manager Billy Meyer once called Rojek “a pennant-winning shortstop.” Pirates teammates first nicknamed him “Reject” because Brooklyn let him go, but they also called him “The Happy Rabbit” for his energy and quickness.

A beaning on April 27, 1949, by Cardinals pitcher Ken Johnson changed things. Rojek had to go to the hospital, and he later admitted his swing timing never felt right again. His batting average dipped to .244 in 1949 and .257 in 1950.

Stints with St. Louis Cardinals and Browns

Branch Rickey, who had moved from Brooklyn to Pittsburgh, traded Rojek to the St. Louis Cardinals in May 1951. The deal sent him and some cash to St. Louis for outfielder Erv Dusak and first baseman Rocky Nelson.

With the Cardinals, Rojek backed up shortstop Solly Hemus. He played 51 games and batted .274, which was better than his last couple seasons in Pittsburgh.

In January 1952, the Cardinals put Rojek on waivers, and the St. Louis Browns picked him up. His stint with the Browns was short and marked the end of his major league run.

Rojek played only nine games for the Browns before heading to Toledo in the American Association. His final major league game happened on May 13, 1952, against the Philadelphia Athletics. He was 33.

After the 1952 season, the Browns traded Rojek back to the Dodgers’ organization for Billy Hunter. He never made it back to the majors, spending his last three seasons with Dodgers’ farm clubs.

Retirement in 1952

Stan Rojek’s major league career basically ended in 1952 when the St. Louis Browns sent him down to their Toledo affiliate in the American Association. He kept playing minor league ball through 1955, but he never made it back to the majors.

He finished with a .266 career batting average over 587 games. That beaning he took in 1949 definitely left a mark on his ability to play at the top level.

After stepping away from baseball at 36, Rojek headed home to North Tonawanda, New York. He teamed up with his brothers, Anthony and Theodore, to run the family dairy.

In 1961, the three brothers branched out and opened Rojek’s Park Manor Bowling Lanes. Joe McCarthy, the Hall of Fame manager and local guy, tossed the first ball at the grand opening.

Personal Life and Legacy

After baseball, Stan Rojek focused on family business and staying involved with the North Tonawanda community. He left his mark both on and off the field, whether it was welcoming Jackie Robinson early on or helping run the family dairy.

Life Outside Baseball

Stan Rojek married Audrey Moeller during his playing days. They eventually divorced in the 1980s, and Audrey later moved to Florida.

He had two kids, Bart and Betty Valek. Betty lived in Southington, Connecticut, and he ended up with five grandkids.

After baseball, Rojek returned to North Tonawanda. He stuck around there for the rest of his life, always keeping close ties to the place he grew up.

Later on, Rojek suffered a stroke in 1995. He passed away on July 9, 1997, in North Tonawanda at age 78 and was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in nearby Tonawanda.

Work at Rojek’s Dairy

Once he hung up his cleats, Rojek joined Anthony and Theodore at the family dairy. Rojek’s Dairy was started by their parents, Andrew and Pauline, over at 125-129 12th Avenue in North Tonawanda.

In 1961, the brothers decided to try something new. They opened Rojek’s Park Manor Bowling Lanes at 895 Payne Avenue, which is now the Salvation Army.

Joe McCarthy, who lived nearby, bowled the first ball at the alley’s opening in August 1961. Family members always said the bowling alley idea came from Stan Musial, who used to drop by and chat with Rojek.

The brothers ran the dairy and the bowling alley together for 25 years. Jim Rojek, Stan’s nephew, remembered Stan and Musial as “two Polish guys talking and laughing” whenever Musial visited.

Relationship with Jackie Robinson

Rojek’s locker in Brooklyn sat right next to Jackie Robinson’s. That put him in a pretty interesting spot as Robinson broke into the majors.

He was among the first Dodgers to accept Robinson. This meant a lot, given how tense things were with other players and fans at the time.

Rojek’s willingness to welcome Robinson really showed what kind of person he was. He stood by Robinson when baseball was finally breaking its color barrier in 1947.

Honors and Memorials

In June 1977, North Tonawanda renamed Payne Field to Stan Rojek Field. The ballpark still stands as a tribute to the city’s best-known baseball player.

The Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Fame inducted Rojek, recognizing what he did for the team.

He’s also part of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, which celebrates his achievements as one of Western New York’s top Major League ballplayers.

Rojek Field on Walck Road sits just a few blocks from the old family home on 12th Avenue. Kids still play there, right in the neighborhood where he started out.

Career Statistics and Historical Resources

Stan Rojek played big league baseball for eight seasons, from 1942 to 1952, though he missed some time for military service during World War II. You can find his stats and bio info on a bunch of different baseball sites and research databases.

Batting and Fielding Statistics

Rojek put together a .266 batting average over 522 games in the majors. He picked up 470 hits, hit 4 home runs, and drove in 122 RBIs during his career.

His best season came in 1948 with Pittsburgh, when he played 156 games and collected 186 hits.

In 1948, he had his most productive year, finishing 10th in MVP voting. He hit .290, scored 85 runs, and had 51 RBIs. He mostly played shortstop his whole career.

Rojek split his time among four teams. He spent the most years with Pittsburgh (1948-1951), then Brooklyn (1942, 1946-1947), St. Louis Cardinals (1951), and St. Louis Browns (1952).

He played his final game on May 13, 1952, against Philadelphia.

Sources for Further Research

If you’re digging into Stan Rojek’s stats, a few solid databases have you covered. Baseball Almanac keeps detailed records of his career totals, biographical tidbits, and even game-by-game logs from his playing days.

On Baseball Reference, you can find a deep dive into his stats, including advanced metrics and fielding numbers. They lay out his performance season by season, tracking his time with every team.

Retrosheet gives you play-by-play data for a lot of games from Rojek’s era, especially his later seasons. ESPN’s statistical archives and some lesser-known baseball history sites also keep records from the 1940s and 1950s alive.

You might find these databases really helpful if you’re researching mid-20th century baseball or curious about how the shortstop position has changed over time. If you want to get into the numbers, here’s a link about the statistical evolution of the shortstop position during that era.