Bob Zupcic

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor2=black
bgcolor1=silver
textcolor2=white
textcolor1=black
name=Bob Zupcic
position=Outfield
birthdate=birth date and age|1966|08|18
bats=Right
throws=Right
debutdate=September 7
debutyear=1991
debutteam=Boston Red Sox
finaldate=August 4
finalyear=1994
finalteam=Chicago White Sox
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.250
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=7
stat3label=RBI
stat3value=80
teams=
*Boston Red Sox (by|1991–by|1994)
*Chicago White Sox (by|1994)
highlights=
*Two grand slams in rookie season: 1992

Robert "Bob" Zupcic (born August 18, 1966 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox (1991-1994) and Chicago White Sox (1994). He batted and threw right handed.

In a four-season career, Zupcic posted a .250 batting average with seven HR and 80 RBI in 319 games played. Despite only hitting seven home runs in his career, Zupcic's greatest accomplishment may be hitting two grand slams during his rookie season of by|1992. The only other Red Sox player to accomplish this feat was Ellis Burks in by|1987. [ [http://www.fenwayfanatics.com/content/2007/01/31/did-you-know-department-bob-zupcic/ Boston Red Sox @ fenwayfanatics.com - Did-You-Know Department - Bob Zupcic ] ]

Alphabetically, Zupcic appears last on the all-time list of Boston Red Sox players. For the Chicago White Sox, only by|1910 outfielder Dutch Zwilling appears after Zupcic. [ [http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/history/players.jsp?sortby=name&filter=Z The Official Site of The Boston Red Sox: History: Red Sox All-Time Players ] ] [ [http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/cws/history/players.jsp?sortby=name&filter=Z The Official Site of The Chicago White Sox: History: White Sox All-Time Players ] ]

Career

Pre-professional

Zupcic attended Bishop Egan (now Conwell-Egan) High School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania and Oral Roberts University. In by|1985, Zupcic was awarded Baseball America's Summer Player of the Year Award after playing for the Liberal BeeJays in the Jayhawk League, a summer collegiate league in Kansas and Missouri.fact|date=July 2007

Major League Baseball

The Boston Red Sox selected Zupcic in the 1st Round of the by|1987 amateur draft (32nd pick overall). Over the next few years, Zupcic slowly made his way up the ranks of the Red Sox farm system with stops at Elmira, Lynchburg, New Britain, and Pawtucket.

In by|1991, Zupcic was a late season callup for the Red Sox. He made his Major League debut at Fenway Park on September 7, 1991, as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in a win against the Seattle Mariners. Two weeks later, he hit his first Major League home run against the New York Yankees. Zupcic wore #16 during this stint. [ [http://www.redsoxdiehard.com/players/unifnums.html Red Sox All-Time Uniform Numbers - RedSoxDiehard.com ] ]

In by|1992, under new Red Sox manager Butch Hobson, Zupcic made the team in Spring Training. For the rest of his Boston career he would wear #28. Injuries to starting outfielders Ellis Burks, Mike Greenwell, and other key players resulted in the Red Sox having a terrible season, finishing in last place in the AL East. However, it did give Zupcic the opportunity to start regularly. He made the most of the chance, hitting .276, and started at all three outfield positions, collecting 11 outfield assists in 124 games.

Zupcic's defensive abilities caught the attention of longtime "Boston Globe" sportswriter Bob Ryan. On September 13, 1992, Zupcic climbed the bullpen railing in center field and robbed Baltimore Orioles catcher Mickey Tettleton of a home run. Ryan called the play "as good a CF grab as I've seen in 41 years of Fenway watching." [ [http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2005/06/08/these_pages_are_keepsakes/?page=3 These pages are keepsakes - The Boston Globe ] ]

In by|1993, Zupcic continued to make starts at all the outfield spots. However, he proved not to be an offensive threat, and Zupcic shared a lot of playing time with a number of other players. He finished the year at .241 with only two home runs and 26 RBI.

The next season, Zupcic could not find a spot on the team. After making just four appearances in the first month, Zupcic was placed on waivers by the Red Sox. The Chicago White Sox picked him up on May 5, 1994. Zupcic made his White Sox debut on May 14, 1994, with a pinch-hit RBI single against the Texas Rangers. Over the next couple of months, Zupcic made occasional outfield starts in place of regulars Tim Raines and Darrin Jackson. He also made his first Major League appearances at first base and third base. He wore #43 that season. [ [http://www.whitesoxinteractive.com/rwas/index.php?category=3&id=1893 WSI's FlyingSock.com News System ] ]

Zupcic played his final game on August 4, 1994, and the Major League Baseball strike resulted in the cancellation of the remainder of the season, the playoffs, and the World Series.

Later years

In by|1995, Zupcic was released by the White Sox. Over the next couple of years, he played for minor league affiliates of the Florida Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies, and attended Spring Training with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1997.

Zupcic ended up in an independent league, playing for and coaching a team in Bangor, Maine. He retired after suffering a back injury.

Personal

Zupcic is married with four children and lives in North Carolina.fact|date=July 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.sonsofsamhorn.net/wiki/index.php/Bob_Zupcic Bob Zupcic at SoSH Wiki]
* [http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/108-04232005-480047.html phillyBurbs.com: Where are they now?]