Ed Jurak

Edward James Jurak (born October 24, 1957 in Los Angeles) is an American retired baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball from 1982 through 1989. He played for the Boston Red Sox from 1982 to 1985, the Oakland Athletics in 1988, and the San Francisco Giants in 1989. After Boston released him in spring training of 1986, he played on the independent San Jose Bees of the California League that season. He spent 1987 in the minor leagues for the Texas Rangers organization before returning to the big leagues in 1988.

He was a utility player, playing in the field at shortstop, third base, first base, second base, and outfield in his major-league appearances. As a minor leaguer, Jurak won the 1981 Eastern League batting title with the Bristol Red Sox (AA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox).

Because of his Croatian ancestry, Jurak's 1989 Giants teammates nicknamed him "Croatian Man" in the clubhouse.

1. ^ "1981 Eastern League statistics". Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2009-10-20. 
2. ^ "What's in a Giant's name: Pooch, Flea, Buffy, Thrill". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 6 June 1989. p. 4C.