#19 DENIS MENKE
2nd Base-Shortstop
What came before: An Iowa farmboy, Menke signed with the Braves shortly after his 18th birthday for a then massive bonus of $125,000 as the Braves won a serious bidding war. He'd reached the majors by age 21, in 1962. But for virtually his entire time with the club, the middle infield was in upheaval and the Braves could not decide where to play the talented player.
He played over 150 games at all four infield positions during his major league career. But in 1964, he had his biggest season as a Brave, playing 141 games at shortstop, hitting 20 homers and hitting .283. But his '65 season ended in May when a home plate collision wrecked his knee.
That 1966 season: Menke recovered, but his range was such that the Braves at midseason gradually began his shift to second base. At season's end, Frank Bolling was released and the job was Menke's. He batted a nominal .250 but with enough power to make him a threat: 15 homers and 60 RBIs.
What came next: He slumped to .227 in 1967 and Felix Millan was ready and willing to step up. Menke was shipped to Houston as part of a surprising deal that came on Thanksgiving that sent he and Denny Lemaster to the Astros for Sonny Jackson and Chuck Harrison.
While, in Jackson, the Braves got the leadoff hitter they felt they needed with Felipe Alou growing old, the Astros made out like bandits. Menke became an infielder starter at three different positions over his four seasons there, beginning with second base, which became his for a year when Joe Morgan was KO'd by an April knee injury. He would go on to earn NL all-star designation in both 1969 and 1970. In the latter season, Menke returned to his pre-injury status at .304-13-92 with 171 hits.
The Astros dealt him to the Reds for top pitching prospect Pat Darcy just before spring training of 1972, and he served a similar role for the fledgling Big Red Machine for two full years. But his skills eroded quickly, and he hiit only .233 and .191 before he was released. But he did reach the postseason twice and played in his only World Series in 1973. The Astros took a chance he could regain his skills in a familiar environment, but he began the year going 3-for-29 as a pinch-hitter before reitring on July 10 and moving into the Astros' broadcast booth.
Post-playing career, his vast experience in all things infield made him a valuable coach, and he worked for Toronto in 1980-81, the Astros again in '82 (minors) and 83-88, the Phillies from 89-97 and the Reds from 1997 through the 2000 season. At various times, he coach first base, third base, hitting and was the bench coach.
On October, 2013, Denis and Jean Menke celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They live in Florida where Menke golfs regularly.
