Mike Sadek, former Giants catcher, dies at 74 after illness
January 21, 2021 GMT
The team announced Sadek died Wednesday in San Andreas, California, following a short illness.
Sadek was a .226 career hitter with five home runs and 74 RBIs in 383 big league games from 1973-81.
San Francisco selected Sadek in the 12th round of the 1966 amateur draft but he opted to return to the University of Minnesota. The Twins then chose him in the fifth round the following year before the Giants picked him in the December 1969 Rule 5 Draft.
ADVERTISEMENT
At age 26, he made his major league debut on April 13, 1973, and spent parts of eight seasons with San Francisco. His 64 games in 1980 were a career high.
Popular Giants catcher Mike Sadek, known as the Sheik, dies at 74
FacebookTwitterEmail
1of9
Philadelphia Phillies Pete Rose, left, is out at the plate trying to score from third on an infield ground ball in third inning of their game with the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Sept. 1, 1980. Catcher Mike Sadek put the tag on the sliding Rose whose expression indicates how hard the dirt is around the plate.Robert H. Houston / APShow MoreShow Less
2of9
Phillies Pete Rose turns as he crosses the plate to watches San Francisco Giants catcher Mike Sadek chase down the ball that went by him in the first inning on Friday, July 7, 1979, game in Philadelphia. Rose scored on a single from second base as the Phillies won, 6-1.Kennedy / APShow MoreShow Less
Former Giants catcher Sadek dies at 74
Mike Sadek, a popular backup catcher who played all eight of his major league seasons with the San Francisco Giants, has died. He was 74.
The Canadian Press Pete Rose and Mike Sadek , The Canadian Press
SAN FRANCISCO Mike Sadek, a popular backup catcher who played all eight of his major league seasons with the San Francisco Giants, has died. He was 74.
The team announced Sadek died Wednesday in San Andreas, California, following a short illness.
Sadek was a .226 career hitter with five home runs and 74 RBIs in 383 big league games from 1973-81.
San Francisco selected Sadek in the 12th round of the 1966 amateur draft but he opted to return to the University of Minnesota. The Twins then chose him in the fifth round the following year before the Giants picked him in the December 1969 Rule 5 Draft.
Former Giants C Mike Sadek dies at 74 texasguardian.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from texasguardian.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Popular Giants catcher Mike Sadek, known as the ‘Sheik,’ dies at 74 [San Francisco Chronicle]
Jan. 21 Mike Sadek, a colorful backup catcher for the Giants through much of the 1970s who was well-liked by teammates and fans, died Wednesday in San Andreas (Calaveras County) of heart- and lung-related illnesses. He was 74.
Sadek, who played his entire eight-year career for the Giants, was a master of keeping his teammates and the clubhouse loose. He hit .226 with five homers in his career but was known more for his defense and leadership.
“He was the best catcher I ever threw to,” former Giants pitcher John Montefusco said. “He gave you a good target, way down low, and called a great game. Managers knew we liked throwing to him, and when umpires missed a call, he let them know about it.