Joe Abreu

Joseph Lawrence Abreu (May 24, 1913 – March 17, 1993) was an American Major League Baseball infielder. He played nine seasons in professional baseball, one at the major league level. He served in the United States Navy during World War II.

Early life Abreu was the sixth of nine children in his family, and his parents immigrated from Portugal in 1906.

He was born on May 24, 1913, in Oakland, California. Abreu had three brothers who were professional boxers.

With the Oaks that season, Abreu batted .148 with 1 double, and 1 triple in 19 games. In , Abreu spent the entire season with the Oaks. He batted .299 with 28 doubles, 4 triples, and 11 home runs in 167 games. He led the Oaks in home runs, and was second in doubles that season.

The next season, , he again spent the entire season with the Oaks batting .288 with 14 doubles, 9 triples, and 4 home runs in 140 games. Abreu played for the Class-A-1 Fort Worth Cats of the Texas League in . He batted .250 with 27 doubles, 6 triples, and 10 home runs in 158 games. Abreu began the season with the Fort Worth Cats and batted .235 with 3 triples in 13 games. He spent the second half of the 1941 season with the Milwaukee Brewers in the Chicago Cubs organization. He batted .284 with 12 doubles, 2 triples, and 11 home runs in 100 games.

Cincinnati Reds Abreu was participating in spring training with the Brewers in when he learned by telegram that he had been sold to the Los Angeles Angels, and a week later was sold to the Birmingham Barons, who sent him to their parent club, the Cincinnati Reds. He was assigned to the Class-AA Newark Bears and that season Abreu batted .236 with 4 doubles, and 1 triple in 30 games.

World War II Abreu began his service with the United States Navy in 1943. After the season, Abreu was given an unconditional release. He then returned to his native California to play for the semi-professional Guy's Drugs of Oakland who won the Bush Rod Winter League (the first league to use the designated hitter rule) pennant. His interest was sparked after former Detroit Tigers and Oakland Oaks' pitcher and professional magician Carl Zamloch put on a magic show at his high school.