1970-1971

Don Pavletich was born in Milwaukee on July 13, 1938, and he spent much of his life in his home state. He signed a $35,000 “bonus baby” contract with the Reds in August 1956 after he graduated from West Allis Hale. He hit over .400 in his four high school seasons and was selected as the outstanding major league prospect in a Wisconsin semipro tournament shortly before he became a Red. Cincinnati beat out most every other team in the majors to sign him.

Fate, by way of the U.S. Army, intervened in his career. He was inducted into the Army in mid-May after appearing in just the one game. While the move took him away from the majors, he was able to stay in shape and play plenty of baseball while serving in Europe.

Don was discharged in 1959 and went back to the Reds, where he again made the team out of spring training and again got into exactly one game. Ten days later, the Reds sent him to the Topeka Hawks of the Three-I League. He wouldn’t return until 1962.

Don spent 1962 mostly as a backup to slugging first baseman Gordy Coleman, though he did catch on occasion. The next couple of seasons were a struggle, and Don was demoted to AAA San Diego in 1963. He stayed in the minors until July of 1964, when he was brought back to the Reds after an injury to starting catcher Johnny Edwards. He eventually had to move from behind the plate to first base, as the Reds found a new backstop weapon named Johnny Bench.

The Reds traded him to the Chicago White Sox, and then in December, 1969 the White Sox traded him to the Boston Red Sox as part of a five-player trade.

In 1970, the Red Sox were loaded with catchers, though none of them standouts. Manager Eddie Kasko was well aware that Don could also play first base. Versatility kept him on the team, but he wasn’t used much as Jerry Moses and Tom Satriano got the most work behind the plate. He had 15 plate appearances in April and May but didn’t get his first base hit of the season until June and didn’t get his second until July, and by season’s end, he was 9-for-65 (.138).

In 1971, the Sox acquired Duane Josephson from the White Sox and he became the first-string catcher with Bob Montgomery his back-up. Don played very little, and in all, played in just 14 games, finishing with a .259 BA.

He was traded in October, 1971, as part of a 10-player trade with the Brewers. He played in 536 games over parts of 12 seasons.

Don Pavletich died unexpectedly on March 5, 2020 at the age of 81.