Sipek, Richard Francis "Dick"

Deafened by an accident at age 5; attended the Illinois School for the Deaf beginning age 9. Reportedly the third deaf professional major-league baseball player ever. Outfielder for the Birmingham team in 1944; outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds, 1945; went back to the minors in 1946; retired from baseball in 1951 when he broke a collarbone while diving for a fly ball. Batted .244 in 82 games, 38 hits in 156 at-bats; After baseball, worked for a bakery for several years before becoming a custodian at the St. Mary School, Quincy, IL, retiring from there in 1988. Died at Quincy.