Joe Christian

Meet The Bulls

JOE CHRISTIAN

-- This 34-year-old veteran is the Bulls player-coach. . . . The 5' 11" is beginning his 18th year of proefessional baseball. . . . Was born in Moon Run, Pa., and now makes his home in one of the cities where he performed, Rochester, N.Y. . . .
Was one of the finest athletes ever to graduate from Robinson Township High School outside of Moon Run. . . . He was a nine[-time] letterman with three each in football, basketball and baseball. . . .. . . . Joe passed up numerous football scholarships to sign with the old
Boston Braves in 1948. . . . Just as he was about to make it to the big time, the Korean War intervened.... He spent most of the war in Japan as a corporal . . . . Was drafted by the Cardinals in '57, the Twins in '60 and the Astros got him in a trade in '64. Joe in 18 years has played in 11 All-Star games. . .

 He was the MVP in the Interstate League with Hagerstown, Md., the Mountain State League with Harlan, Ky., and the Southern Association with Nashville, Tenn. . . . . . .He managed Wisconsin Rapids for the Twins in '64. . . . He led his club to a fourth-place finish in a ten-team league. . . . Married his former high school sweetheart, Mary Langer, 13 years ago . . . . They have two children . . . . Debbie 11, and Joey, 9 . . . . Joe and Mary were schedule to get married at home plate in hagerstown, but the game was rained out . . . . Had some harrowing experiences playing winter ball . . . . Was in the Dominican REpublic when the government was overthrown . . . . they could not leave the country and played 7 games in 7 weeks . . . . Was in Havana when Castro overthre Batista and one of the Rochester players was shot. . . . Also played in Mexico City . . . . For relaxation Joe hunts and plays golf in the high 70's . . . . Is a sporting goods salesman in the off-season. . . . .

The Durham Sun, August 1, 1966

Joe Christian's Record in the Astros Organization
Season Team League BA   HR  RBI 
1965 Amarillo SonicsTexas.259 5 32
1966 Durham BullsCarolina .274 5 24

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