The native and lifelong resident of Pueblo, Colorado,[1] threw left-handed and was listed as 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and 192 pounds (87 kg).

Papish spent only one campaign with the pitching-rich Indians, and his 1949 workload declined to 62 innings pitched, his lowest total yet in MLB, in 25 appearances.

He made only three starts, but registered his 18th and final MLB complete game with an 8–1 thrashing of the Detroit Tigers on July 5 at Briggs Stadium.

[2] That off-season, Cleveland sold his contract to the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization, where, in 1950, Papish spent most of the year with Triple-A Indianapolis and was treated rudely in four June appearances that concluded his big-league career.

After his professional career ended in 1953 in its 18th season, Papish was active in youth baseball in his home city, worked for a trucking firm, and was a deputy sheriff.