Stephen Charles "Flip" Filipowicz (June 28, 1921 – February 21, 1975) was a professional American football and baseball player. Filipowicz and Olympic great Jim Thorpe share the distinction of being the only two men to have played for the New York Giants of both baseball and football.
Football[]
Filipowicz, a fullback and quarterback who played at Fordham University from 1941 to 1943, was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round in the 1943 NFL Draft. Although an undersized back at 5'8", 198 lbs, he was still taken with the sixth overall pick. In his first season, he rushed for 142 yards on 53 attempts and 49 receiving yards. He also attempted two incomplete passes. In 1946 he made seven receptions for 84 yards as well as four interceptions. He retired after the season to become head football, basketball, and baseball coach at Mount Saint Mary's University. He resigned the following year to play baseball.
Baseball[]
After a successful season as an outfielder and catcher for the Jersey City Giants, Filipowicz made his major league debut on September 3, 1944 for the New York Giants. He appeared in 15 games, collecting 8 hits in 41 at bats (.195). He appeared in 35 games the next season and batted .205 with 2 home runs. He made a return to baseball in 1948 with the Sunbury Reds of the Interstate League. He was called up to the Cincinnati Reds later that season and collected 9 hits in 26 at bats (.346). He spent the 1949 & 1950 seasons with the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League and the Tulsa Oilers of the Texas League.
