Ab Onuliak
| Albert Onuliak | |
|---|---|
| Ab | |
| Born | 1930 Fort William |
| Died | 1956 |
| Years in Thunder Bay | 1930–1950; 1953–1956 |
Albert Onuliak (1930–1956) was a professional baseball pitcher from Fort William who was signed to the Washington Senators organization. Albert Onuliak was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1988 as an athlete.[1]
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Albert Onuliak was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame on 17 September 1988 in the athlete category for baseball, representing Fort William.[1]
Career
Born in Fort William, Albert Onuliak began his Baseball career during the 1940s. He played as a pitcher for various midget, junior, and senior teams in the region. Despite having lost the sight in one eye when he was two years old, he developed into a high-level prospect. In 1950, he traveled to Florida to attend the Jack Rossiter Baseball School.[1]
His performance at the school led to a contract with the Washington Senators of the American League. He was assigned to their farm team in Orlando, Florida, where local media identified him as a player with significant potential to reach the major leagues. In 1953, Calvin Griffith of the Senators offered him a spot on the organization's AAA affiliate as a final step before joining the parent club. However, an illness forced him to retire from professional baseball and return to Northwestern Ontario.[1]
After returning home, he joined the Port Arthur Red Sox. During his two seasons with the club, he maintained a high strike-out rate and was the leading batter on the team. He passed away in 1956 at the age of 25. To honor his legacy, the Lakehead Baseball Association established the Ab Onuliak Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the senior baseball batting champion.[1]
Residence in the Thunder Bay area (1930–1950; 1953–1956) rests on the following dated evidence. Born in Fort William in 1930, he played baseball there in the 1940s before leaving for Florida in 1950, returning home in 1953 and playing until his death in 1956.[1]
Honours and achievements
- Became one of the first players from Northwestern Ontario to sign a Major League Baseball contract
- Offered a position on the Washington Senators AAA affiliate in 1953
- Led the Port Arthur Red Sox in batting average during his tenure with the team
- Maintained an elite strike-out record as a pitcher in local senior baseball
- Overcame the loss of sight in one eye to reach the professional baseball ranks[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Ab Onuliak", athlete profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/athlete-profile/b54bb991-97dd-45e0-8e6f-74aec5c8ecc8 (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.