Is Pete Kozma Living or Dead?

About Pete Kozma

Pete Kozma: The Unlikely Hero of the 2012 World Series

Pete Kozma was never supposed to be a hero. In fact, he wasn't even supposed to be playing in the 2012 World Series. But when the St. Louis Cardinals' starting shortstop Rafael Furcal went down with an injury, Kozma was called up from the minors to take his place. And boy, did he deliver.

Kozma, born on April 11, 1988, in Owasso, Oklahoma, was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in both baseball and football. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft and quickly rose through the ranks of the minor leagues.

But Kozma's major league career got off to a slow start. He struggled at the plate and was sent back down to the minors multiple times. It wasn't until 2012 that he finally got his chance to shine.

In the playoffs that year, Kozma hit .333 with two home runs and six RBIs, helping the Cardinals reach the World Series. And in Game 5 of the Series, with the Cardinals down 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Kozma came up to bat with the bases loaded and two outs. He hit a bloop single to right field, scoring two runs and tying the game. The Cardinals went on to win in extra innings, and Kozma became an instant hero.

Despite his heroics in the 2012 postseason, Kozma's career never quite took off. He bounced around the majors, playing for the Cardinals, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and Detroit Tigers, but never found the same success he had in 2012. He spent the 2020 season playing for the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

But even though his career may not have gone as planned, Kozma will always be remembered for his clutch performance in the 2012 World Series. As former Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said of Kozma, "He's a guy who's going to be remembered for a long time in St. Louis."

References:

- "Pete Kozma Stats." Baseball-Reference.com.

- "Pete Kozma." ESPN.com.

- "Pete Kozma's 2012 World Series Performance." MLB.com.