Hall of Famer "Sibby" Sisti Passes Away

By Brad Bisbing / Buffalo Bisons

04/25/2006 5:14 PM ET

Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer and long-time Major League player Sebastian D. "Sibby" Sisti passed away on April 24, 2006. The Buffalo-native played in 1016 games over 13 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Boston and Milwaukee Braves.
"On behalf of the Rich Family and the Buffalo Bisons organization, I want to extend our sympathies to Sibby's family during this difficult time," said Mike Buczkowski, Vice President/General Manager of the Buffalo Bisons. "He was one of the baseball greats from our community and he will be missed."

Buffalo-born, Sisti learned the game on the city's public park diamonds. In 1937, the recent graduate of Canisius High School signed with the Boston Braves at just 17-years old. After two seasons at Harford, he made his Major League debut in 1939, at the age of 19. He spent 13 seasons with the Braves, interrupted by military service and one year at Indianapolis, where he was named Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News.

A versatile performer, he played every position except pitcher and catcher in his 1,000+ Major League games. His best season probably was 1940 when he posted career highs in games (140), hits (140), doubles (24), RBI (45) and stolen bases (7). He also helped the Braves to a pennant in 1948, making two appearances in the World Series that year.

After leaving the Braves, Sisti served as a coach and a minor league manager. In seven years as a skipper, he won one pennant and one playoff.

Sibby Sisti was inducted to the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994, where he joined long-time Brave teammate, Warren Spahn, and first cousin, Dan Carnevale.