Charlie Metro was born Charles Moreskonich in Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania. He took his name from his father, Metro Moreskonich, a Ukrainian immigrant. Like many ballplayers from that part of Pennsylvania, Metro did some work in the coal mines and played ball to escape the mines.
As a player, Metro was a light-hitting utility man, primarily an outfielder. He was an excellent fielder but swung a light stick. He spent parts of four years with the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Athletics and ended with a career batting average of .193. Metro was a smart man. He knew his days as a player were limited so he soaked up information from two legends of the game, his manager in Philadelphia, Connie Mack, and one of his minor league managers, Casey Stengel.