The Alabama Florida League Web Site

George Stefanovich coulda been a contender...............

The 1959 Pensacola Dons had a very talented crew of pitchers, especially for a Class D team. Steve Barber and Bo Belinsky were on their way up to the Baltimore Orioles, and George Werley had already been in the big show with the Orioles in 1956. At the end of the bench were two interesting youngsters: One was the legendary flamethrower, Steve Dalkowski, and the other was a 22 year-old graduate of N.C. State who had chosen to play baseball in Pensacola rather than work out with the Boston Celtics because he felt that there was more money in baseball. His name was George Stefanovich, and fans of the A.C.C. and N.C. State Wolfpack basketball knew his name.
Stefanovich had been an all-American forward for N.C. State in the late 50's, and was selected to the All ACC team in the spring of 1959, along with basketball legend, Doug Moe. Despite his basketball skills and the potential opportunity to workout with the legendary Celtics, Stefanovich accepted an offer from the Orioles organization to pitch for the Dons. "I didn't quit being a basketball player just to play Class D baseball", Stefanovich told the Montgomery Advertiser, "There's money in baseball, and baseball is a little closer to my heart".

Stefanovich went to N.C. State on a basketball scholarship, and while playing for a major basketball school was a great experience, his basketball obligations only allowed him to play half seasons of baseball. Stefanovich had planned all along to try for a baseball career, but his basketball skill developed while at State, and it became his main athletic focus while at school. George was a decent scorer, averaging 10 points a game in his senior year, but his true talent was as a rebounder.George lead the entire A.C.C. in rebounds for much of the season, finshing second in boards at season's end. Stefanovich's rebounding skill was developed by learning to position himself. He was only 6'4", small even in those days for a leading rebounder.
As school was ending, Stefanovich attended spring training and worked out as a pitcher. He might have pushed himself too hard too early, because he quickly developed a sore arm. The Orioles evidently thought enough of the big kid to keep him around despite the injury to his arm. He spent most of April riding the bench and watching his teammates play. By late April he felt good enough to take his turn on the mound. Unfortunately, he only managed three appearances before the arm troubles returned. The kid who was a basketball star just months before and was living his baseball dream, was finished.
Fate can be cruel, but many players suffered the same fate as Stefanovich. Career ending arm injuries were not uncommon, and treatment methods that are common now didn't exist in 1959. What Stefanovich did for a career after 1959 is not known, but hopefully he was able to move on and cherish the short time he had in the limelight.