Chris Hartje

Christian Henry Hartje (March 25, 1915 – June 26, 1946) was a professional baseball player, primarily in the minor leagues. Born in San Francisco, he was a catcher and played in nine games for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the major leagues in September during the 1939 baseball season.

Chris Hartje
Catcher
Born: March 25, 1915 (1915-03-25)
San Francisco, California
Died: June 26, 1946(1946-06-26) (aged 31)
Seattle, Washington
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 9, 1939, for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Last MLB appearance
September 23, 1939, for the Brooklyn Dodgers
MLB statistics
Batting Average.313
Home Runs0
RBI5
Teams

After signing with the Spokane Indians of the Western International League in June 1946,[1] Hartje died less than a week later when the team's bus crashed en route to a game. At the time it was the worst accident in U.S. sports history, as nine team members were killed and six were injured.[2] Seriously injured and badly burned,[3] Hartje was taken to Harborview Hospital in Seattle and died the following day, the ninth fatality.[4][5]

Hartje served with the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, and was buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.

References
  1. "Former big leaguer signed to catch for Spokane club". Spokane Daily Chronicle. June 19, 1946. p. 13.
  2. Colford, Ann M. (September 23, 2006). "Spokane Indians baseball team bus crash kills nine on Snoqualmie Pass on June 24, 1946". HistoryLink.org. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  3. "Seriously injured". Seattle Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. June 26, 1946. p. 2.
  4. "Hartje, driver still in danger". Spokane Daily Chronicle. June 26, 1946. p. 1.
  5. "WIL resumes play, Tigers move up". Eugene Register-Guard. June 27, 1946. p. 12.


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