Obscure sports trivia

I was a standout pitcher in the 1940s and 1950s, appeared in four World Series and later earned even more fame and renown after my playing career. Most amazingly, I struck out only 20 times in 857 career plate appearances and once hit .346 for an entire season. Who am I?

 

Chuck Conners?

 

No, he played first base.

 

I thought of Jim Bunning, but the years don't match (nor the World Series appearances) then Vinegar Bend Mizell, who also got into politics but the years don't match him either.

 

I honestly have no idea. I know there were teams in the pre championship game era who went undefeated, but with a tie.

 

Tommy Lasorda? Though, he really doesn’t meet the standout part...

 

No, not Tommy, who barely had a cup of coffee in MLB.

The thing that absolutely amazed me about this pitcher was only 20 strikeouts in more than 850 plate appearances. Gary Sanchez whiffs that much in a week.

You definitely have heard of this guy.

 

Akron had three ties -- but no losses -- in 1920.

 

I thought I answered this one, but I guess I didn't hit send.

The Akron Pros went unbeaten in 1920 -- the league's first season -- at 8-0-3, but that was before the league was called the NFL. It was still the American Professional Football Association.

After the name change, the Canton Bulldogs did it more than once, though I'd have to look up which years.

 

HA! I see -- you asked the same question in the NFL thread. No wonder I was confused!

 

I was trying to think of a manager. I realized Lasorda was likely wrong, but hoped by typing it, another name would pop up in my brains.

 

I was thinking broadcaster, but not sure who that would be.

I'm also thinking if this guy played in four World Series and played in the '40s and '50s, he probably played for the Yankees or Dodgers. But I can't figure out who it is.

I did look up the '49 Yankees pitching staff and saw they had a pitcher named Fred Sanford. Probably not the same guy, though.