Johnny Labetich
| Date and Place of Birth: | December 3, 1909 Oakland, CA |
| Date and Place of Death: | February 20, 1944 Presidio of Monterey Reception Center, CA |
| Baseball Experience: | Minor League |
| Position: | Third Base |
| Rank: | Private |
| Military Unit: | US Army |
| Area Served: | United States |
John J. Labetich, son of Joseph and Frances
Labetich, was born in Oakland, California on December 3, 1909. His
parents were born in Yugoslavia and had settled in Biloxi, Mississippi
before moving to California. John had an older brother Mitchell, and a
younger brother Joseph.
He graduated from Prescott High School in 1925 and played for numerous
semi-pro and amateur Bay area teams including Southern Pacific Stores
and Oak Billiards. Aged 19, the third baseman was signed by the Seattle
Indians of the Pacific Coast League and batted .204 in 17 games to
finish the season. He was sent to the Topeka Senators of the Class A
Western League in 1930, and batted .265 in 35 games before being
released. He was with the Pacific Coast League's Mission Reds for spring
training in 1931, before joining the Tucson Missions of the Class D
Arizona-Texas League for the regular season. Hampered by a recurring leg
injury, Labetich still batted .323 in 41 games before being released
mid-season.
The 22-year-old was with the Oakland Oaks for spring training in 1932,
played the summer with the Arizona-Texas League's Bisbee Bees, where he
hit a sensational .340 in 99 games, and rejoined the Oaks for four
regular season games. Despite having had his strongest season in four
years of organized baseball, Labetich didn't return to the professional
game after 1932, but continued to play for semi-pro teams in California,
including the Watsonville Falcons of the California State League,
Southern Pacific Stores (with his brother Mitchell), Micky's Inn and the
Keystone Club.
In 1939, Labetich moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, the home of his wife,
Dina Mladinich, whom he married in September 1934. He played baseball
for the Biloxi Slavs of the Gulf Coast League, and opened Johnny's Cash
Grocery in October 1939 at the junction of Division Street and Bohn
Street.
Labetich returned to California in the spring of 1943, leaving the
grocery store in the hands of his brother-in-law, Ernest Mladinich. The
reason for his return is unclear, but his brother, Joseph, who worked
for the Pacific Silicate Company, died on June 10 of that year, aged
just 31.
His wife, Dina, and their seven-year-old daughter, Frances, joined him
in California around September 1943, and on February 19, 1944, John
Labetich was inducted into military service at the Presidio of Monterey
reception center in California. The following day, he died from an
undisclosed illness. He was just 34 years old.
John Labetich was returned to Biloxi, where services were held at St.
Michael's Church, followed by burial with full military honors at Biloxi
City Cemetery. The guard of honor and pallbearers were from nearby
Keesler Army Air Field.
"We wish to express our sincere heartfelt
thanks to relatives and friends during the sudden death of our husband,
father and brother, John Labetich. Especially do we wish to thank
Chaplain Jerome Major, Rev. Father Mullen, Lt. Newhinney and the boys of
the armed forces of Keesler Field for the many floral offerings and
expressions of sympathy.
Wife, Daughter and Brother"
Biloxi Sun-Herald, March 4, 1944
His brother, Mitchell, passed away in 1997, aged 88.
His wife, Dina, passed away in 2006, aged 92. Frances,
their daughter, passed away in 2022, aged 86.
|
Year |
Team |
League |
Class |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI | AVG |
| 1929 | Seattle | PCL | AA | 17 | 49 | - | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | .204 |
| 1930 | Topeka | Western | A | 35 | 98 | - | 26 | 7 | 1 | 3 | - | .265 |
| 1931 | Tucson | Arizona-Texas | D | 41 | 158 | - | 51 | - | - | - | - | .3223 |
| 1932 | Bisbee | Arizon-Texas | D | 99 | 391 | - | 133 | 26 | 10 | 11 | - | .340 |
| 1932 | Oakland | PCL | AA | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
Date Added July 21, 2024
Thanks to Jack Morris for "discovering" Johnny Labetich.
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