Hershberger's suicide during the 1940 season ended a frustrated career. A farmhand
in the player-rich Yankee system, he shared a catching future with Buddy Rosar, judged
the better defensive player. Bill Dickey was the Yankee catcher, a lefthanded hitter.
Both Hershberger and Rosar were righthanded, and Rosar was chosen as Dickey's backup.
Hershberger was sold to Cincinnati, and had to settle in behind another future Hall
of Fame catcher, Ernie Lombardi.
(JK)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 3, 1940: With Ernie Lombardi hurt, Reds C Willard Hershberger is hitting .309 after taking over. However, depressed in recent weeks, Hershberger commits suicide by slashing his throat in Boston's Copley Plaza Hotel. Hershberger blamed himself for calling wrong pitches in the July 31st 5–4 10-inning loss to New York. Leading 4–1, Bucky Walters retired the first two batters in the 9th and had two strikes on each of the next four batters. But Harry Danning and Burgess Whitehead each homered with a man on. Hershberger's father also committed suicide, in 1928.
»August 4, 1940:
In Boston, the two teams dedicate the game in memory of Willard Hershberger, then Frank McCormick drives in six runs to lead the Reds to a 12–9 win over the Braves after Bucky Walters loses the opener, his 3rd straight defeat.
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