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Ron Karkovice

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Ron Karkovice
Karkovice at New Comiskey Park in 1997
Catcher
Born: (1963-08-08) August 8, 1963 (age 61)
Union Township, Union County, New Jersey, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 17, 1986, for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
September 26, 1997, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
Batting average.221
Home runs96
Runs batted in335
Teams

Ronald Joseph Karkovice (born August 8, 1963) is an American former professional baseball catcher.

Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1st round of the 1982 MLB amateur draft, Karkovice would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago White Sox on August 17, 1986, and appeared in his final game on September 26, 1997. Based on Karkovice's great defensive prowess in throwing out baserunners attempting to steal bases, White Sox broadcaster Ken "Hawk" Harrelson nicknamed him "Officer Karkovice," jokingly warning opponents that the catcher would catch them stealing.[1]

Early life

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When Karkovice was seven years old, his family moved to Florida after his father, who worked for United Airlines, was transferred.[2] He began playing baseball in Little League at age eight. Karkovice later attended Boone High School in Orlando, where he first started catching at 14,[3] and was teammates with Joe Oliver.[4] He was named to the 1982 ABCA/Rawlings High School All-America First Team.[5] Karkovice was inducted into Boone's hall of fame in 2004.[6]

Playing career

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Karkovice was one of the best fielding catchers in the Major Leagues during his time with the White Sox. For his career, he threw out 41% of base stealers. In 1993, he threw out 54% of them.

On August 30, 1990, Karkovice hit an inside-the-park grand slam off of Minnesota Twins pitcher David West at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.[7][8]

Coaching career

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In 2001 Karkovice managed the Gulf Coast League Royals. He then coached the First Academy baseball team in Orlando in an assistant capacity, before moving on as head coach for Pine Castle Christian Academy.[9] From 2009 to 2011, Karkovice served as hitting coach for the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[10] In 2012, Karkovice was named bench coach for the Camden Riversharks, another Atlantic League team.[11] He was promoted to manager of the club the next year.[12]

Personal life

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He is married to Kimberly Fuller Karkovice.[citation needed]

In the 1990s, Karkovice was an early investor in Stix Baseball, a baseball bat manufacturer that was eventually bought by Easton.[13]

Karkovice opened Ronnie's Big League Deli in Orlando in November 2003.[4]

Professional baseball pitcher Jake Brigham is Karkovice's nephew.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Merkin, Scott (March 23, 2020). "White Sox Top 5 catchers: Merkin's take". mlb.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Newark Bears 2010 team yearbook. 2010. p. 30.
  3. ^ Holtzman, Jerome (September 11, 1986). "Karkovice Keeps His Own Counsel". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Badger, Emily (July 6, 2004). "Karkovice Also in Restaurant Business". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  5. ^ "1982 ABCA/Rawlings High School All-America Teams". www.abca.org. American Baseball Coaches Association. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  6. ^ Buchalter, Bill (February 12, 2004). "Boone to Induct 14 in Hall". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  7. ^ Perry, Dayn (December 17, 2010). "The Inside-the-Park Grand Slam: An Appreciation". Fangraphs. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  8. ^ "White Sox Win on Inside-the-Park Grand Slam Homer". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 30, 1990. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  9. ^ Just, David (August 25, 2008). "Where are they now? Ron Karkovice". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  10. ^ "New start, new league, new uniforms for Newark Bears". The Observer. May 25, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  11. ^ Chappelear, Scott (April 22, 2014). "Camden Riversharks make big changes to change fortunes on field". South Jersey Times. NJ.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  12. ^ "Sports in Brief: Widger to manage Camden Riversharks". Philly.com. December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  13. ^ Byrd, Alan (May 3, 1999). "Easton steps up to plate, buys bat biz". Orlando Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  14. ^ "Game Notes, April 20 vs. Frisco". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. April 20, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
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