Hank Borowy – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Hank Borowy put together a remarkable decade-long run in Major League Baseball before finally hanging up his cleats in 1951. This right-handed pitcher from Bloomfield, New Jersey, left his mark on five different franchises during the 1940s and early 1950s, with especially memorable days as a New York Yankee and Chicago Cub.

Borowy retired from professional baseball on September 14, 1951, after his last game with the Detroit Tigers at age 35.

His journey through the majors has all the twists you’d expect—a story of early success, wartime baseball, and the rare distinction of being one of just two pitchers in MLB history to notch at least 10 wins for two different teams in the same season.

Borowy picked up two All-Star selections and a World Series championship with the Yankees in 1943. He also holds the odd but notable record of being the last Chicago Cubs pitcher to win a World Series game before their 2016 championship run.

From his promising debut in 1942 through the injuries that slowed him down in his final seasons, Borowy’s career really captures the highs and challenges that shaped baseball during World War II and the years that followed.

His story includes everything from shutout gems on the sport’s biggest stage to one of the most unforgettable pitching disasters in major league history. He stands out as a truly unique figure in the game.

Early Life and Education

Henry Ludwig Borowy was born on May 12, 1916, in Bloomfield, New Jersey. He found his passion for baseball early and started showing off his athletic talent during high school, then kept developing it at Fordham University.

Family Background and Hometown

Born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, Henry Ludwig Borowy always had his hometown at the center of his story. He grew up in a working-class family that valued hard work and determination.

Bloomfield gave Borowy the foundation he needed to build his baseball career. The community encouraged young athletes and gave him the chance to hone his skills.

His family background taught him discipline, and that would serve him well in the pros. His brother Bill served in the Navy during World War II and even managed to catch one of Hank’s World Series games while on leave.

Borowy always stayed connected to Bloomfield. After baseball, he came back home and started a real estate and insurance business.

Bloomfield High School Achievements

Borowy’s baseball talent really started to shine at Bloomfield High School. In 1935, he struck out 27 batters in an extra-inning game—a wild performance that put him on the map.

That game showed off the kind of control and movement that would come to define his pitching. Even as a skinny right-hander, he already had the ball dancing in ways that would baffle major league hitters later on.

His high school success caught the attention of pro scouts. The Newark Bears, the top Yankees farm team, even invited him to travel with them in the summer of 1935.

But manager Bob Shawkey passed on signing him, so Borowy decided to head to college instead of jumping into pro ball right then.

Fordham University Baseball Success

At Fordham University, Borowy played under coach Jack Coffey, who helped him polish his pitching skills. Coffey really put the finishing touches on Borowy’s approach and helped him reach his potential.

Borowy’s college record was incredible—he won 23 of 24 decisions for the Rams. He even tossed a no-hitter against Rutgers University, showing how dominant he could be.

When Borowy wasn’t on the mound, he played outfield, proving he had versatility. During the summers, he kept his college eligibility by pitching semipro ball for a Brooklyn club under the name Gene Brown.

After graduation, Borowy finally signed with the New York Yankees. Fordham University recognized his achievements in 1972, inducting him into the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame as part of their second class.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Career

Hank Borowy made his Major League debut with the New York Yankees in 1942 at age 25, following a standout college career at Fordham. His rookie season quickly established him as one of the American League’s top young pitchers during the World War II era.

Signing with the New York Yankees

Borowy graduated from Fordham in 1939 with an amazing 23-1 college record. Several teams wanted him—the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and Brooklyn Dodgers all showed interest.

Even though he knew other clubs might get him to the majors faster, Borowy chose the Yankees. He’d grown up idolizing them and figured he’d get more chances to play in the World Series.

Yankees scout Paul Krichell signed Borowy right in the Fordham gym for an $8,500 signing bonus. The deal almost fell apart when Krichell’s pen ran out of ink, and Borowy bumped his price up by $500 during the wait.

The Yankees sent him to the Newark Bears in the International League, their top farm club. Borowy spent three seasons in the minors from 1939-1941 and put up a 38-27 record.

Rookie Season Highlights

Borowy made his MLB debut on April 18, 1942, against the Boston Red Sox. He threw five hitless innings in relief, making an immediate impression.

He picked up his first career win on May 5, 1942, after throwing 7⅓ innings of relief against the Chicago White Sox. He allowed just one hit and struck out seven.

1942 Season Stats:

• Record: 15-4 (.789 winning percentage)
• ERA: 2.52 (fifth-best in AL)
• Shutouts: 4

Borowy won 10 of his first 11 decisions and earned a spot in the Yankees’ regular rotation by late May. His .789 winning percentage was second-best in the league.

On September 2, he came within a controversial scorer’s call of tossing a no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns. Joe Gordon’s first-inning play was ruled a hit instead of an error.

Era and Baseball Context in the 1940s

The 1942 season came as America entered World War II, but most players hadn’t been called to service yet. The Yankees dominated the American League with stars like Joe DiMaggio, Charlie Keller, and Bill Dickey.

New York finished nine games ahead of Boston for the pennant. They lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in five games, their first Series defeat since 1926.

Borowy started Game Four of the 1942 World Series, but the Cardinals knocked him out during a rough six-run fourth inning. The Yankees lost 9-6, though reliever Atley Donald took the loss.

Wartime baseball brought unique challenges. Many players soon entered military service, and the game’s quality shifted a lot over the next three seasons.

Peak Years and All-Star Recognition

Hank Borowy hit his stride in the mid-1940s, earning two All-Star selections and enjoying his best years with both the Yankees and Cubs. He put together a World Series championship and some remarkable individual achievements during baseball’s wartime period.

All-Star Game Performances

Borowy made the All-Star team in both 1944 and 1945. In 1944, he started for the American League and pitched three scoreless innings, even driving in their only run.

Despite his strong effort, the American League lost 7-1 to the National League. The 1945 All-Star Game was called off because of wartime travel restrictions, but Borowy still got picked as a “virtual” All-Star in an Associated Press poll.

These honors recognized his steady excellence during a tough period for baseball, when so many players were serving in the military.

Earning the World Series Title

Borowy’s World Series win came with the Yankees in 1943. He pitched well that season, posting a 14-9 record, 107 strikeouts, and a 2.82 ERA.

In the 1943 World Series against the Cardinals, Borowy got the win in Game 3. That victory helped the Yankees take the championship in five games.

Borowy appeared in six World Series games throughout his career, including some memorable outings with the Cubs in 1945. The 1943 title was his only championship, but he played key roles in several pennant races.

MVP Voting and Key Awards

Borowy never won an MVP award, but his 1945 season with two teams was outstanding. He finished with a combined 21-7 record between the Yankees and Cubs.

After the Cubs bought him mid-season for $100,000, Borowy went 11-2 for Chicago. He led the National League in winning percentage at .846 and had a 2.14 ERA.

Winning at least 10 games for two different teams in the same season is extremely rare—only Bartolo Colón matched it in 2002. Borowy’s 1945 performance helped the Cubs win the National League pennant and reach the World Series.

Pitching Style and Statistics

Borowy put up some impressive numbers over his 10-year career from 1942 to 1951. He finished with a 108-82 win-loss record and 690 strikeouts in 1,717 innings.

His career ERA of 3.50 showed he was a consistently effective starter. Borowy threw and batted right-handed, and he became a reliable part of every rotation he joined.

Between 1942 and 1945, Borowy averaged over 15 wins each season. His best year was 21-7 in 1945, split between two teams.

A quirky highlight: in 1946, Borowy hit two doubles in the same inning on May 5, making him only the fourth pitcher in history to do it.

Mid-Career Transitions and Team Changes

Hank Borowy’s career took a sharp turn in 1945 when he moved from the American League to the National League, kicking off a series of team changes that shaped his later years. His biggest success came with the Chicago Cubs during their 1945 World Series run, followed by stops in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Move to the Chicago Cubs

In July 1945, Borowy left the New York Yankees for the Chicago Cubs—a move that changed everything for both him and the team. The Cubs picked him up during their push for the National League pennant.

This was Borowy’s first taste of the National League after three strong seasons with the Yankees. He settled in quickly and became a key piece of the Cubs’ pitching staff.

The timing couldn’t have been better. Borowy joined a Cubs team chasing the pennant, and his veteran presence brought stability to Chicago’s rotation during the crucial stretch run.

National League Pennant and World Series Run

Borowy played a huge role in the Cubs’ 1945 National League pennant chase. His performance helped Chicago clinch their first pennant since 1938, and fans quickly took to him.

During the 1945 World Series against the Detroit Tigers, Borowy found himself at the center of the Cubs’ pitching plans. The series highlighted his ability to handle pressure on baseball’s biggest stage.

The Cubs’ World Series appearance marked the high point of Borowy’s National League career. He proved himself as a clutch pitcher who could deliver in big moments.

Trades to Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates

After his successful run with the Cubs from 1945-1948, Borowy moved on to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1949. This started a stretch of frequent team changes late in his career.

Borowy spent two seasons with the Phillies, then moved to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1950. Teams often brought in veteran pitchers during the late 1940s and early 1950s, and Borowy fit that mold.

His time with Pittsburgh was short, just part of the 1950 season. The Pirates became his fourth National League team, showing just how much he bounced around before his last stop with the Detroit Tigers in 1950-1951.

Final Playing Years and Retirement in 1951

Borowy’s last two seasons were tough—injuries and declining performance took their toll. He wrapped up his career on September 14, 1951, after one last stint with the Detroit Tigers.

That final year, he struggled with finger blisters and a chronic sore shoulder that made it hard to be effective on the mound.

Stint with Detroit Tigers

Borowy joined the Detroit Tigers in 1950. He had already made brief stops with the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates earlier that year.

Detroit gave him one last shot to keep his MLB career alive. In 1950, Borowy went 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA over 13 games.

He threw 32.2 innings, allowed 23 hits, and walked 16 batters. Honestly, that was a step up from his rough outings with other teams that season.

The 1951 season turned out to be his final campaign. Borowy took the mound in 26 games for Detroit but started just one.

He ended up with a 2-2 record. His ERA ballooned to 6.95 over 45.1 innings.

Key 1951 Statistics:

• Games: 26
• Wins-Losses: 2-2
• ERA: 6.95
• Innings Pitched: 45.1

Notable Games and Milestones

Borowy’s career definitely had a few unforgettable moments, even if his last years weren’t his best. One of his most infamous outings happened against the St. Louis Browns on August 18, 1951.

The Tigers sent him out to pitch the seventh inning. That game quickly turned into one of the worst pitching performances in MLB history.

Borowy’s physical issues really caught up to him in those final seasons. Blisters on his fingers and a chronically sore shoulder made it tough for him to control his pitches.

He shifted more into relief work since starting became almost impossible.

Concluding Major League Career

Borowy pitched his last MLB game on September 14, 1951. That wrapped up a 10-year run that started back in 1942.

He finished with 108 wins and 82 losses in 314 games, playing for five different teams. His body just couldn’t keep up anymore.

Those lingering injuries—especially the shoulder and finger blisters—forced him to retire at 35. He simply couldn’t pitch at a big-league level anymore.

After baseball, Borowy settled in Brick Township, New Jersey. He lived there until he passed away in 2004 at age 88.

He’d gone from the Yankees’ championship days to the tough final years in Detroit.

Legacy, Post-Baseball Life, and Impact

Hank Borowy’s decade in major league baseball made him one of the more unique pitchers of the 1940s. People still remember him for his World Series performance and his service during World War II.

Even after he retired, Borowy stuck to the same high standards that marked his playing days.

Career Achievements and Honors

Borowy’s most impressive feat came in 1945. He was the last pitcher to notch four decisions in a single World Series.

He pitched for the Chicago Cubs against the Detroit Tigers and really showed off his versatility. In Game 1, he shut out Detroit, giving Chicago a strong start.

He lost Game 5, 8-4, but managed to bounce back. In Game 6, Borowy came in as a reliever and kept the Tigers scoreless for the final four innings.

That effort helped the Cubs win, 8-7, in 12 innings and forced a Game 7. His earned run average and win totals show he performed steadily across several teams.

Borowy earned a World Series ring with the Yankees in 1943. He played for five teams from 1942 to 1951, proving he could adapt to just about any situation.

USO Service and Wartime Contributions

Borowy’s sense of duty went beyond baseball. He joined the USO during World War II.

In December 1943, he traveled with a group of major league baseball players on a two-month tour to Alaska and the Aleutians. Frankie Frisch led the group, which included Stan Musial, Dixie Walker, and Danny Litwhiler.

Borowy didn’t just show up for the games. He helped with chores—washing dishes, making beds, and cooking breakfast for servicemen.

The soldiers were far from home and loved hearing about baseball from the guys who actually played it. Borowy’s willingness to pitch in with the dirty work didn’t go unnoticed.

He paid a price for his dedication, though. He hurt his knee after falling on some rocks during a windstorm in the Aleutians.

That trip took a toll; he lost 15 pounds and dropped to 160 by spring training. Still, Borowy’s service really showed the kind of character he brought to everything he did.

Life After Baseball and Community Influence

After he retired in 1951, Borowy kept in touch with the baseball world but also explored other things. He tried making a comeback with Buffalo in the International League in 1952, but he just couldn’t find his form, so he stepped away for good.

During his playing days, he actually worked as a supervisor in a New Jersey defense plant during the 1942-43 offseason. That same work ethic stuck with him long after he left the game.

People in his hometown of Bloomfield, New Jersey, really respected him. Borowy’s high school feats, like that wild state record—27 strikeouts in an extra-inning game—still inspire young athletes there.

He stayed connected to Fordham University too. Back in college, he racked up an incredible 23-1 record.

His business administration degree came in handy after he stopped playing. Borowy passed away on August 23, 2004. He left behind a legacy full of athletic accomplishments and a strong sense of service.