Milo Candini – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mario “Milo” Candini really stands out as one of baseball’s more intriguing stories from the 1940s and early 1950s. He was a right-handed pitcher whose career had both remarkable early promise and some tough, persistent challenges.

Born in Manteca, California in 1917, Candini started his professional baseball journey in the New York Yankees’ farm system. But it was with the Washington Senators where he truly made his mark in the majors.

Candini burst onto the scene in 1943 with the Washington Senators, winning his first seven decisions and earning recognition as the “sensation of the American League” before he retired in 1951 with a career record of 26-21. He played eight seasons in the major leagues, but his career got interrupted by military service during World War II.

He served in the Pacific Theater, then came back to baseball in 1946. Arm troubles dogged him through much of his career, but Candini still managed to carve out a respectable place in baseball history.

This look at Candini’s life explores his rise from a multi-sport high school athlete to a major league pitcher. It covers his military service and his transition to life after baseball.

His story really shows the challenges players faced during that era, from wartime service to the physical demands of the game. Through it all, he showed the determination that kept him competing at the top level for almost a decade.

Early Life and Background

Mario Cain “Milo” Candini was born on August 3, 1917, in Manteca, California. His parents were Italian immigrants who settled in the Central Valley’s agricultural region.

He showed off his athletic abilities early on at Manteca High School, dominating multiple sports. People recognized him as one of California’s top high school athletes in the mid-1930s.

Family Origins and Heritage

Milo’s parents, Caesar and Lucy Candini, came from Italy and arrived in the United States around the turn of the 20th century. They first settled in Athol, Massachusetts, which was a pretty busy industrial center and rail hub at the time.

Eventually, the family moved west to California’s Central Valley. Both parents found work as canners in the region’s growing agriculture business.

Mario was the seventh of eight children in the Candini family. Because of ethnic tensions during World War I and their desire to fit in, Mario started going by “Milo.”

His Italian heritage always stayed a big part of his baseball life. Sportswriters often called him “the Italian boy” and even gave him the nickname “mound magician,” comparing him to Houdini.

Education and Youth Baseball

At Manteca High School, Candini really stood out as a multi-sport athlete. He earned letters in baseball, basketball, football, and track all four years.

That was pretty impressive for a student at a medium-sized school.

Key High School Achievements:

• State athlete of the year: 1934 and 1935
• Baseball player of the year: 1935 and 1936
• Led the Buffaloes to consecutive West Side league titles

In his senior year, he threw a no-hitter. In one wild stretch, he struck out 45 batters over two games.

These dominant pitching performances definitely caught the eye of professional scouts.

Candini also spent his summers playing American Legion baseball. In the fall, he played in competitive semipro leagues around Oakland, about 50 miles from home.

First Steps Toward Professional Baseball

Candini’s high school heroics drew attention from Pacific Coast League teams. Most importantly, Yankees scout Joe Devine noticed him—Devine had signed Joe DiMaggio, another son of Italian immigrants, just a year before.

After graduating in 1936, Candini signed with Devine and the Yankees. That decision launched his professional baseball journey.

By then, Candini had already married his high school sweetheart, Bernice, in 1936. The couple started their family just as Milo was about to dive into minor league baseball.

Their commitment to each other helped as Candini navigated the ups and downs of the minors.

Professional Baseball Career Highlights

Milo Candini played eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1943 to 1951. He started strong with the Washington Senators but later dealt with arm injuries.

His path through the Yankees’ farm system eventually led to his breakthrough in Washington, where he had his most memorable moments.

Role in the New York Yankees Farm System

Candini joined the New York Yankees organization in 1936 after high school. Scout Joe Devine, who also discovered Joe DiMaggio, recruited him.

He kicked off his pro career in 1937 with the El Paso Texans in the Class-D Arizona-Texas League. Candini led the league with 21 wins and only 7 losses.

He finished second in innings pitched with 251 and struck out 165 batters.

The Yankees moved him up through their farm system over the next few years. He played for the Norfolk Tars in 1938 and the Wenatchee Chiefs in 1939.

His records were solid, though maybe not eye-popping, during those early years.

In 1940, Candini reached the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. Arm problems started to bother him early that season.

After walking 33 batters in just 42⅔ innings, he returned to Wenatchee.

He had his best minor league season in 1941 with the Kansas City Blues. Finally pitching pain-free, Candini posted a team-best 3.26 ERA in 141 innings.

He pitched two standout exhibition games against major league clubs that year, which guaranteed his promotion to the Yankees’ 40-man roster.

Debut and Breakthrough with Washington Senators

The Washington Senators picked up Candini in January 1943 in a trade involving Bill Zuber and Jerry Priddy. He made his major league debut on May 1, 1943, and retired the only two batters he faced against his former organization.

Candini’s breakthrough with Washington happened fast. He got his first start on June 2 and threw a complete game win over Cleveland, 13-1.

He even chipped in at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.

In June 1943, the rookie pitcher became a sensation. He shut out the Boston Red Sox on three hits at Fenway Park.

His next start was an 11-inning complete game win over Philadelphia. He capped off that stretch by throwing a shutout against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium and hit his only career home run.

Candini started the 1943 season with a perfect 7-0 record and a 0.94 ERA through his first 76⅓ innings. That hot start earned him recognition as one of the league’s most promising young pitchers.

Peak Performance Years

Candini had his best statistical season in 1943, finishing 11-9 with a 2.49 ERA in 166 innings. His ERA ranked sixth in the American League.

The Sporting News named him to their All-Rookie team along with Charley Wensloff and Al Gerheauser.

In 1944, Candini mostly pitched in relief. He did make six straight strong starts in mid-season, throwing four complete game wins.

Two of those were shutouts, adding to his career total of five.

His career paused in 1945 for military service. Candini was stationed in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

He pitched for military teams in Japan and the Philippines during tournaments.

When he returned in August 1946, Candini made an immediate impact. He threw four scoreless innings in relief to pick up a win in extra innings against the St. Louis Browns.

That performance marked a successful comeback after almost two years away.

Notable Games and Achievements

Candini’s most memorable performance came on June 26, 1943, when he shut out the Yankees 6-0 at Yankee Stadium. He not only pitched a shutout but also hit his first and only major league home run in that game.

Over his career, he put up a 26-21 record with 183 strikeouts in eight seasons. As a pitcher, he hit .243, going 35-for-144 at the plate.

On April 19, 1949, Candini served as President Harry Truman’s escort at the Washington season opener. The media jokingly called him the president’s “bodyguard” for the ceremonial first pitch.

After his major league days ended in 1951, Candini kept playing in the Pacific Coast League until 1957. He spent most of those years with the Sacramento Solons.

Years with the Philadelphia Phillies

Milo Candini joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 1950 after spending most of his big league career with the Washington Senators. With the Phillies, he contributed to their 1950 National League pennant and World Series run before wrapping up his major league career in 1951.

Transition to the Phillies

The Phillies brought in Milo Candini in 1950, which was a big change for the veteran pitcher. At 32, Candini brought valuable experience to a young Phillies team that became known as the “Whiz Kids.”

In his first season with Philadelphia, Candini appeared in 18 games as a reliever. He put up a 2.70 ERA over 30 innings, showing he could still get the job done.

His stats improved from his final years in Washington. In 1950, he went 1-0 with the Phillies, keeping a perfect winning percentage.

Contribution to the 1950 NL Pennant

Candini played a role in the Phillies’ historic 1950 National League pennant win. The team clinched their first pennant since 1915 and earned a World Series spot.

As part of the Phillies’ pitching staff, Candini helped out of the bullpen. His 2.70 ERA provided some stability during key moments.

The Phillies faced the New York Yankees in the 1950 World Series. The team lost the series, but Candini’s participation marked the peak of his career.

His veteran presence gave support to the younger players. The “Whiz Kids” benefited from his eight years of big league experience.

Final Major League Season and Retirement

Candini played his final major league season in 1951 with the Phillies. He appeared in 15 games, all in relief, and posted a 6.00 ERA over 30 innings.

His performance slipped from the previous year. At 33, Candini struggled with consistency.

He made his last major league appearance on August 15, 1951. After eight seasons in the majors, he finished with a record of 26 wins and 21 losses.

After leaving the majors, Candini continued pitching in the Pacific Coast League until 1957. He mainly played for the Sacramento Solons during those years.

Military Service and Wartime Experience

Milo Candini served in the United States Army during World War II from 1945 to 1946. His professional baseball career hit pause when he was drafted in March 1945.

His military service took him to the Pacific Theater, where he spent time stationed in Japan and Korea. He returned to baseball in August 1946.

Service in the United States Army

Candini joined the Army in March 1945 after finishing the 1944 baseball season. He reported to Camp Beale in Northern California for basic training.

While at Camp Beale, Candini pitched for the base team. That let him keep his baseball skills sharp while serving his country.

The Army later sent him to the Pacific Theater. He spent time stationed in both Japan and Korea.

Overseas, Candini pitched for the 24th Corps baseball team. They played in tournaments held in Japan and the Philippines.

His military service lasted about 17 months. Candini received his discharge in early August 1946, which let him return to professional baseball.

Impact on Baseball Career

Candini’s military service left a huge gap in his baseball career. He missed the entire 1945 season and most of 1946 while serving in the Army.

That break hit at the worst possible time. Candini was 27 when he got drafted—prime years for any pro athlete.

He stayed away from competitive baseball for almost two years. That long absence really messed with his conditioning and rhythm.

Military service cut off his progress as a pitcher too. Before getting drafted, Candini had already shown real promise with the Washington Senators.

Return to Professional Baseball

Candini came back to Major League Baseball on August 25, 1946. The Washington Senators welcomed him back after his military discharge.

His first game back? Pretty memorable. He pitched four scoreless innings in relief against the St. Louis Browns and actually picked up the win in extra innings.

That outing proved he hadn’t lost his touch. His successful return gave fans and coaches hope for his career going forward.

Still, his post-war seasons never quite lived up to his early days. Candini struggled with consistency after returning, mostly working out of the bullpen.

His military service got him recognition outside of baseball too. On August 10, 1947, he and five other players received World War II victory medals during a ceremony at Griffith Stadium.

Life After Baseball

When Candini retired from pro baseball in 1951, he moved back to his hometown of Manteca, California. There, he built a life as a businessman and stayed close to the community.

People kept celebrating his baseball achievements over the years. He made sure to keep strong family ties through it all.

Business Ventures and Local Contributions

After his playing days ended, Candini opened a liquor store in Manteca. Locals got used to seeing the former major leaguer behind the counter.

He never lost his connection to baseball, not even a little. The city even named Candini Drive after him, near the Big League Dreams sports complex—a pretty cool tribute to Manteca’s first Major League Baseball player.

Running the store let Candini stay rooted in the Central Valley. He became one of those friendly faces everyone seemed to know, always ready with a baseball story.

The liquor store gave him and his family some real financial stability. It kept him tied to the community that had cheered him on since his high school days at Manteca High.

Hall of Fame Inductions

You won’t find a lot of details about formal hall of fame inductions for Candini, at least not in the records that are out there. But the locals and baseball historians haven’t forgotten him.

Being Manteca’s first major league player gave him a lasting place in hometown history. Researchers have dug deep into his career, documenting his journey from a small California town to the big leagues in the 1940s and ‘50s.

The Society for American Baseball Research keeps detailed records of his stats and achievements. Thanks to them, future generations won’t lose track of his story.

Personal Life and Family

Candini married his high school sweetheart, Bernice, way back in 1936, just before starting his pro baseball career. They had two kids, Chareen and Jarrett, who were born during his early minor league years.

The family stayed in Manteca after baseball, never moving away. Candini lived there until he died on March 17, 1998, at 80.

His Italian heritage meant a lot to him. His parents, Caesar and Lucy Candini, moved to California’s Central Valley from Italy and worked in agriculture.

Even after his playing days, Candini stayed close to baseball. He helped out with local youth programs and community events, always encouraging young players to chase their dreams.

Death, Legacy, and Commemoration

Milo Candini died on March 17, 1998, at 80, right there in Manteca, California, after fighting prostate cancer. The community still honors him—local baseball facilities and ongoing recognition keep his legacy alive.

Battle with Prostate Cancer

In his later years, Candini faced prostate cancer. The disease eventually took his life on March 17, 1998.

He spent those final years in Manteca, the town where it all started. Even while sick, he stayed involved in local baseball.

He kept supporting youth baseball well into his 70s. His love for the game never faded, no matter what.

Candini’s fight with cancer ended peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. Folks in town watched him go from major league pitcher to beloved community member.

Burial at Park View Cemetery

After he passed, Candini was buried at Park View Cemetery in Manteca. That’s his final resting place, right in the town that shaped his baseball dreams.

His grave has become a spot for baseball fans and locals to remember him. People still visit to pay their respects.

The cemetery sits in the heart of Manteca, a nod to Candini’s deep roots there. He came home after baseball and never left.

Park View Cemetery now stands as a permanent memorial to one of Manteca’s most famous athletes. The site reflects his lifelong bond with the Central Valley community.

Honors and Recognition in Manteca

Manteca chose to honor Candini’s memory by naming their baseball complex after him. You’ll find the town’s sandlot facilities, called Big League Dreams, sitting right on Milo Candini Drive.

Locals see the street name as the most visible tribute to the former pitcher’s legacy. The roadway heads straight to the baseball fields, where kids are still working on their game.

Local newspapers like the Manteca Bulletin covered Candini’s support for youth baseball during his retirement. He stuck around as a supporter of the sport until his health started to fail.

Naming Milo Candini Drive keeps his story alive for future generations of Manteca baseball players. It’s a lasting way to celebrate his major league career and everything he gave back to the community.