WALTER O’SHINSKY

Walter (Hogan) O’Shinski, a Canonsburg native and resident, played baseball three years at Canonsburg High School and was a member of WPIAL championship teams in 1935 and 1936.

He played three years for Polish Falcons and Canonsburg Elks and caught batting practice for the Pirates in 1938. He signed a Pirates’ contract in 1939 and later signed with the Washington Redbirds, a St. Louis Cardinals’ farm club.

During the fall of 1941, Oshinski was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics to play in Havanna, Cuba, where he won a Most Valuable Player award.

He reported to Norfolk, VA of the Piedmont League for spring training in 1942 but was drafted into the Army Air Force.

After returning from the service, he played for McDonald, the Pittsburgh City League champions in 1946.