Baseball in Wartime - Michael Sambolich

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Those Who Died That Others Might Be Free

Michael Sambolich

Date and Place of Birth: January 8, 1922 Wegley Hill, Pennsylvania
Date and Place of Death: November 5, 1944 Belgium
Baseball Experience: Minor League
Position: Outfield
Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
Military Unit: 211th Medical Dispensary US Army
Area Served: European Theater of Operations

Michael L Sambolich was born on January 8, 1922 in Wegley Hill, Pennsylvania. A local sandlot star, he began his minor league career with the Oil City Oilers of the Penn State Association in 1941, batting .312 in 110 games.

In 1942, hampered by injuries and appearing in 96 games, Sambolich hit .302 for the Oilers. The young outfielder was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates and assigned to the Hutchinson Pirates of the Western Association the following season but when the league was suspended he was shifted to the Harrisburg Senators of the Interstate League.

Sambolich joined the Army on September 25, 1942. He arrived in Europe in October 1943 with the 211th Medical Dispensary and was killed in action in Belgium on November 5, 1944.

T/4 Sambolich is buried at Henri Chapelle American Cemetery In Belgium.

Thanks to the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles for help with this biography.

Added October 11, 2006. Updated September 17, 2008.

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