Mike Zelesky – (1977)

Mike “Killer” Zelesky, the full name is burned into the wood of Hillerich and Bradsby, a Louisville slugger baseball bat.

The year was 1934, Mike was 23, a catcher and one of 75 rookies in the St. Louis Cardinal’s training camp.

Already in camp was a full team of 20 regular players and the 75 rookies were trying to beat the regulars out. Only Zelesky was fortunate enough to win a regular catching job.

That year Mike batted .286 in 40 games, which was the first time he failed to hit 300 or better in his career. At the end of the season, Mike was selected by the Louisville Slugger Bat Company for a 20 year contract at $100 and two bats of his design.

After being traded to Mount Airy, North Carolina (a Cincinnati Farm Club), where he batted .297, Mike married the former Helen Wanek. He never returned to pro baseball, but confined his sports activities to the Lorain sports scene.

Mike Zelesky has spent the past 50 years of his life in one sport or another, from baseball, softball, basketball, golf, bowling and amateur boxing, to umpiring both baseball and softball on the local scene.

As an example of his versatility, in 1954 Zelesky took up golfing. He proceeded to win 14 Class A championships and twice won both the Lorain City and Lorain County Class A titles.