Johnny Welaj

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Johnny Welaj

|image=Johnny Welaj.jpg

|position=Outfielder

|birth_date={{Birth date|1914|5|27}}

|birth_place=Moss Creek, Pennsylvania, US

|death_date={{death date and age|2003|9|13|1914|5|27}}

|death_place=Arlington, Texas, US

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=May 2

|debutyear=1939

|debutteam=Washington Senators

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=September 27

|finalyear=1943

|finalteam=Philadelphia Athletics

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Batting average

|stat1value=.250

|stat2label=Home runs

|stat2value=4

|stat3label=Runs batted in

|stat3value=74

|teams=

Washington Senators ({{mlby|1939}}–{{mlby|1941}})
Philadelphia Athletics ({{mlby|1943}})

}}

John Ludwig Welaj (May 27, 1914 – September 13, 2003), pronounced "Weli," according to newspapers of the 1930s,"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/615032440 Fan-Fare]." York, Pennsylvania: The York Dispatch, April 30, 1936, Sports Section, p. 20 (subscription required). was an American professional baseball outfielder and executive. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for four seasons between {{mlby|1939}} and {{mlby|1943}} for the Washington Senators and Philadelphia Athletics. Welaj (pronounced WELL-eye, according to a twenty-first-century source[https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/johnny-welaj/ Skelton, David E., Johnny Welaj,] Society for American Baseball Research Biography Project) was a native of Barr Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, who threw and batted right-handed and was listed as {{convert|6|ft}} tall and {{convert|164|lb}}."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/171105512 Yanks Grab Two from Washington]." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 11, 1939, Sports Section, p. 27 (subscription required)."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/171100708 Walker's Double Wins for Senators]." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 15, 1940, Sports Section, p. 30 (subscription required).Baumbartner, Stan. "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/171442049 Mack Ponders Over Lineup, A's, Phils Halted by Weather]." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 15, 1943, Sports Section, p. 27 (subscription required).

Playing career

In 200 games played for Washington (1939–{{mlby|1941}}) and 93 for Philadelphia (1943), Welaj collected 198 hits, with 40 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 74 runs batted in. He batted .250 lifetime in 793 at bats."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/358214881 Yanks Pound Out Four Homers To Sweep Sunday's Twin Bill]." Hazleton, Pennsylvania: Standard-Speaker, September 11, 1939, Sports Section, p. 13 (subscription required)."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/448256438 Paul Derringer Pitches Reds to One-Hitter]." Pottsville, Pennsylvania: Republican and Herald, May 27, 1940, Sports Section, p. 10 (subscription required).Baumgartner, Stan. "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/171435000 3-Run Rally in 4th Wins Camp Contest]." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 29, 1943, Sports Section, p. 22 (subscription required)."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/63678705 Browns Blank A's 3-0]." Uniontown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Herald, August 20, 1943, p. 16 (subscription required).

Welaj also had an extensive minor league career, spanning 21 seasons from 1936 to 1956."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/615048435 Roses Blast Leaders to End Losing Ways]." York, Pennsylvania: The York Dispatch, May 13, 1936, Sports Section, p. 9 (subscription required)."[https://www.newspapers.com/image Red Roses, Cards Top Piedmont Foes]." Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Daily Item, July 29, 1955, Sports Section, p. 18 (subscription required). In 1955, he served as manager of the Hagerstown Packets in the Senators' organization. He was a player-manager of the Erie Senators in 1956,"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/176256952 Haynes to Conduct European Clinics]." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 22, 1956, Sports Section, p. 77 (subscription required)."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/50048012 Erie Rookie Knew He Had a Perfect Game Going from the Start]." Kane, Pennsylvania: The Kane Republican, July 26, 1956, Sports Section, p. 5 (subscription required). then returned to full-time managing with the Midland/Lamesa Indians in 1957.

Executive career

After 1957, Welaj served in the front offices of both of Washington's 20th century American League franchises. He worked in sales and promotions for the 1901–1960 Senators, until they left the U.S. capital to become the Minnesota Twins. Welaj then performed similar duties for the expansion Senators of 1961–1971."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/614775955 Boosters to Stage Open Meeting at Tremont Site]." York, Pennsylvania: The York Dispatch, April 13, 1965, Sports Section, p. 19 (subscription required). But when that franchise ended in Washington and relocated to Dallas–Fort Worth, as the Texas Rangers in {{mlby|1972}}, Welaj went with them. From 1973 until 1984, he served as the Rangers' director of stadium operations, after which he retired as a full-time employee at age 70. However, he continued to serve as the Rangers' spring training director until 1999.[http://www.historicbaseball.com/players/w/welaj_johnny.html Johnny Welaj at Historic Baseball]"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/199273963 Noteworthy]" (Texas Rangers' announcement of Welaj's death). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 14, 2003, p. D2 (subscription required).

Death and interment

Welaj died at the age of eighty-nine in Arlington, Texas on September 14, 2003."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/284534516 Obituary]." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, September 14, 2003, p. C13 (subscription required).