Richard "Dick" Kryhoski, 82, played in major league for 7 seasons
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It was a preseason game in 1949 when Richard "Dick" Kryhoski, a young
hopeful looking to make the New York Yankees but who hadn't yet left
the bench, caught the eye of legendary outfielder Joe DiMaggio, who
pointed him out to manager Casey Stengel and told him to "let the kid
play."
"He got a hit that day," said his wife, Susan Kryhoski. "The next day,
he was in the lineup playing first base."
It was the start of a baseball career that spanned seven seasons,
including two with the Detroit Tigers in 1950-51.
Mr. Kryhoski died in his Beverly Hills home Tuesday, April 10, 2007,
of esophageal cancer. He was 82.
A Leonia, N.J., native, Mr. Kryhoski initially was scouted by the
Yankees when he was 16. Unable to make the major league team, he
joined the Navy, and when he returned, he tried out again. That time
he made it.
"First base is a tough position to play," said his wife of 43 years.
He had a .265 career batting average with the Yankees, Tigers, St.
Louis Browns, Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Athletics.
After ending his baseball career in 1955, Mr. Kryhoski joined an
engineering supply company and later became the company's district
sales manager in Detroit.
He remained active in baseball, including in Tigers alumni events. He
also is a past president of the Birmingham Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed
gardening, classic movies and all sports except hockey, his wife said.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Laura Carter and
Kim Nordquist and four grandchildren.
A memorial service has been held. Memorials may be made in his name to
the American Cancer Society, 18505 W. 12 Mile, Southfield, MI 48076.
Joe Menard / The Detroit News