JOE SMEJKAL

Class of 1946
​Inducted in 2009

Joe was inducted into the SHSAA Packer Sports Greats in 2009.

Joe Smejkal lettered three years in baseball and was All-City selection in 1945 and 1946.  He played on the Assumption Catholic Youth Organization championship team both years.  He was an outstanding pitcher (with the best curve ball in the Omaha area) and was in the top three in batting averages both years.  Joe was among 13 players nominated for the Esquire All-American game played in New York in 1946. 

​After graduation he signed to play pro ball with the Brooklyn Dodgers but was released with a sore arm.  Starting in 1947 he pitched for the Omaha Cardinals farm team in Allentown, New York until he was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1950.  He played ball for the Army baseball team in Stuttgart, Germany until 1952 and played ball locally after his discharge from the Army.