When his Hall of Fame playing career ended in 1945, Joe Cronin often found time to visit New Haven. After all it was in this city where, as a teenager, he proved himself as major league-ready.

Of course, it helped that while here he also developed a voracious appetite for New Haven’s unrivaled Italian eateries.

Cronin was a precocious 19-year old, with just one minor league season under his belt, when he arrived at spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1926.

There was no doubt Cronin had talent. And his work ethic was the stuff of legend. But just two years removed from high school — he was a three-sport star in his hometown of San Francisco — the Pirates brass felt he needed a little more seasoning.

Read Chip Malafronte's complete story.