Biff Pocoroba

Biff Benedict Pocoroba (July 25, 1953 – May 24, 2020) was an American baseball catcher who played ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played his entire career for the Atlanta Braves from 1975 to 1984. Although his primary position was catcher, Pocoroba played at third base as well.

Pocoroba was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1971 and played for four of their minor league affiliates until 1975, when the Braves promoted him to the major leagues. There, he served as the team's backup catcher and was selected as an All-Star in 1978. After shoulder injuries resulted in him losing playing time, He was the second of Victor and Ida Pocoroba's seven children. He attended Canoga Park High School,

Pocoroba graduated from Canoga Park High in 1971. He had just one plate appearance with the Richmond Braves in 1972, before spending the rest of the year with the Greenwood Braves. There, he batted .259 with seven home runs and 29 runs batted in (RBIs) in 42 games played, enough to earn him a promotion to the Class-AA Savannah Braves of the Southern League in the following season. He played 193 games for that team from 1973 to 1974. Although he hit three fewer home runs and one fewer RBI in his second season, he managed to raise his batting average from .234 to .311. As a rookie, Pocoroba attracted attention during spring training in 1975 by throwing out 11 straight would-be base stealers.

Atlanta Braves (1975–1984) Pocoroba made his Major League Baseball debut on April 25, 1975, at the age of 21, entering as a defensive replacement in a 5–3 loss to the San Diego Padres at San Diego Stadium. He endeared himself with fans despite the Braves performing poorly during his tenure there. This was partly attributed to "the sound of his name". During that period, he batted .555 with two home runs and seven RBIs, culminating with a pinch-hit, walk-off grand slam against the Montreal Expos on May 17. After the season concluded, he requested to be traded, but eventually signed a seven-year contract to remain with the Braves.

Pocoroba was selected to the NL All-Star team as a reserve in 1978. That year, Pocoroba finished with a .242 batting average, six home runs and 34 RBIs in 92 games. Defensively, he led NL catchers in range factor per game (6.29), but allowed the fourth-most stolen bases (82) and again finished second in passed balls (12).

The Braves advanced to the postseason for the first time in Pocoroba's career in 1982 by winning the National League West division.

Post-playing career After retiring from baseball, Pocoroba operated a specialty meat business called Sausage World, together with his brothers, Joe and Steve. It was located in Lilburn, in the suburbs of Atlanta, and he worked there for almost three decades. at the age of 66. No cause of death was provided.