Hartwick College Athletics

Jim Konstanty, who will be inducted posthumously, was a former professional baseball pitcher who served as Hartwick’s Director of Athletics from 1967-1972. He brought in some of the most successful coaches in Hartwick Athletics history, including Al Miller (Men’s Soccer - 1967-72; 64 wins; 4 NCAA Tournaments), Dr. Roy Chipman (Men’s Basketball – 1968-77; 166 wins; 7 NCAA Tournaments), and Nick Lambros (Men’s Basketball – 1977-98; 353 wins; 7 NCAA Tournaments). In an 11-year professional baseball career, Konstanty posted a 66-48 record with 74 saves and a 3.46 ERA in 433 games pitching for the Cincinnati Reds (1944), Boston Braves (1946), Philadelphia Phillies (1948-54), New York Yankees (1954-56), and St. Louis Cardinals (1956). His most successful season came in the 1950 season when he helped the Phillies Whiz Kids to the National League pennant while garnering National League MVP honors. Konstanty appeared in 74 games (then an MLB record) with a 16-7 mark and an NL-leading 22 saves. He made the NL All-Star team and received the AP Athlete of the Year and the TSN Pitcher of the Year awards. He became the first relief pitcher to ever start a World Series game, pitching Game One of the 1950 World Series against the New York Yankees, where he allowed just four hits in eight innings. Konstanty would end up appearing in three of four games played in the series. He is credited with creating the changeup and slider pitches as he was one of the first relief pitchers, in an era of fastball pitches. Konstanty resided in nearby Worcester, NY while running a sporting goods store in Oneonta for close to 40 years. He passed away in 1976.