Books and articles about Monty Stratton

RELATED LINKS Around the Web » Monty Stratton from baseball-reference.com Jump directly to Library content from any website!

Relying primarily on a trick pitch called the "Gander," Stratton posted 15-5 and 15-9 marks for the White Sox in 1937-38 before his major league career was tragically ended at age 26. While he was hunting rabbits near Greenville, Texas in November 1938, his pistol accidentally discharged, sending a bullet into his right knee, severing the femoral artery. The leg was amputated the next day. In 1939 White Sox management sponsored a charity game in Comiskey Park between the Cubs and the White Sox, the proceeds of which (about $28,000) went to Stratton. In a touching, courageous display, Stratton took the mound to demonstrate that he could still pitch, though he was unable to transfer his weight effectively to the artificial leg. After coaching for the White Sox, he was given a minor league contract; in 1946 he posted an 18-8 record in the East Texas League. Stratton's story was made into a fictionalized Hollywood movie starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson which was a 1949 box office smash. (RL)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 10, 1938: Red Sox rookie pitcher Bill Lefebvre homers in his first ML at bat, and only plate appearance for the season, off Monty Stratton of the White Sox. But Lefebvre is hammered by Chicago in a 15–2 loss. He is the first American League player to homer in his only season at bat, and it will be his only ML homer, though he will finish with a .276 career average and lead the AL in pinch-hits in 1944. Stratton, the winning pitcher, gets his revenge in the 2nd inning when he connects for a grand slam off Lefebvre, who gives up six runs in four innings. » November 28, 1938: The White Sox 25-year-old pitching star Monty Stratton has his leg amputated following a hunting accident. » May 1, 1939: The White Sox and Cubs play a benefit game for Monty Stratton at Comiskey Park and raise a purse of almost $30,000. » July 26, 1946: Monty Stratton, who lost a leg in a hunting accident in 1938, wins his 14th game for Sherman (East Texas League). He will finish with 18 victories for the second-division team.