Books and articles about Burgess Whitehead

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Whitehead was a 160-lb utility infielder for the Cardinals who was often in poor health. The Giants' Bill Terry was criticized when he gave up players and cash for him in December 1935, but Whitehead played in every game for New York in their pennant-winning 1936 and 1937 seasons. He led NL second basemen in total chances per game in 1936, and in putouts, fielding percentage, and double plays in 1937. He missed the 1938 season due to illness, and later spent four years in the WWII Navy. (NLM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 6, 1933: The Cards and Reds battle to a 6–2 St. Louis decision, with Dizzy Dean beating Paul Derringer. The pre-game fight between the two pitchers, who exchanged words then fists during batting practice, goes to the Reds pitcher, who landed the first blow. Reds manager Jewel Ens was tossed during the game, and several bottles were tossed as well. One bottle strikes Burgess Whitehead on the shoulder. Pepper Martin, the National League's top hitter at .386, has four hits, as does Ducky Medwick. » December 9, 1935: The Giants get 2B Burgess Whitehead from the Cardinals for Roy Parmelee, Phil Weintraub, and cash. » May 2, 1938: The Giants announce that 2B Burgess Whitehead is out for the season following a nervous breakdown. » August 16, 1939: The Giants suspend 2B Burgess Whitehead, who will show up the next day in full uniform at Yankee Stadium and ask to work out. Yankee manager Joe McCarthy refuses. Whitehead rejoins the Giants a few days later, but he will be suspended again in mid-September after leaving the team. » 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.