Rip Repulski
Eldon John (Rip) Repulski (October 4, 1928 – February 10, 1993) was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. From 1953 through 1961, he played with the St. Louis Cardinals (1953–56), Philadelphia Phillies (1957–58), Los Angeles Dodgers (1959–60) and Boston Red Sox (1960–61). He batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. He married Mildred "Millie" M. Repulski on December 30th 1950. The couple had one child together, a daughter, named Nadine Sue Repulski.
In a nine-season career, Repulski posted a .269 batting average with 106 home runs and 416 RBI in 928 games played.
A fine defensive player at all outfield positions, Repulski became the regular center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals in his 1953 rookie season. He appeared in a career-high 153 games and finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting behind Jim Gilliam and Harvey Haddix.
Repulski enjoyed his most productive seasons in 1954 and 1955.
In 1954, he hit 19 home runs and posted career highs in batting average (.283), runs (99), RBI (79) and doubles (39). From June 13–25 he had a string of ten consecutive games in which he collected two or more hits, going 22-for-44 (.500), half for extra bases. After that, he hit in six more consecutive games before going hitless.
In 1955 Repulski posted career highs in home runs (23), walks (49), on-base percentage (.333), slugging average (.467), OPS+ (110), and batting runs (7.7).
He earned an All-Star berth in 1956. At the end of the season, he was sent to the Philadelphia Phillies in the same trade that brought Del Ennis to St. Louis.
Repulski hit 20 home runs for the Phillies in 1957. A year later, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with two other players in exchange for second baseman Sparky Anderson. He appeared in the 1959 World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Traded by Los Angeles to the Boston Red Sox in the 1960 midseason, Repulski hit a grand slam at Fenway Park in his first American League at bat. He played his last major league season with the Red Sox in 1961.
Repulski died in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, at age of 64. He was survived by his wife, Millie, daughter, Nadine “Deedee” (Gary) Mueller; granddaughters, Julie (Kelly) Renken, Sara Mueller, Sadie Mueller; great grandchild, Hannah Renken; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Linda Repulski.
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