John Mackinson
John Joseph Mackinson was an American professional baseball pitcher who appeared in ten games in the major leagues (MLB) for the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals. His pro career lasted 13 seasons.
Born in Orange, New Jersey, Mackinson threw and batted right-handed, and was listed as tall and. He served in the United States Army during World War II. He spent seven years in the New York Yankees' farm system before his acquisition by Philadelphia in 1953. In his only appearance in an Athletics' uniform, Mackinson threw 1 scoreless innings in relief against the Boston Red Sox on April 16, 1953; the only hit he surrendered was a single to future Baseball Hall of Famer George Kell.
Released by the Athletics' organization in May 1955, Mackinson was signed by the Cardinals and was recalled from Triple-A to pitch in eight games between August 17 and September 2. That stretch afforded Mackinson his only MLB decision and starting assignment. In his final big-league game on September 19, Mackinson pinch-ran for future Hall of Famed Stan Musial in the ninth inning of a tie game at Busch Stadium; he failed to score a run, but the Redbirds won in extra innings.
Mackinson returned to the minors in 1956 and played three more seasons. He died at age 65 in the Los Angeles suburb of Reseda on October 17, 1989.