Wilber was a perennial backup catcher and pinch hitter who hit three of his eight 1951 homers in an August 27 game against the Reds. Throughout his career he decorated baseballs for winning pitchers, drawing the line score, highlights, and a humorous cartoon on each memento. (PB)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 27, 1951: At Shibe Park, light-hitting reserve C Del Wilber of the Phillies hits three home runs in three at bats to provide Ken Johnson with all his support. Johnson beats the Reds Ken Raffensberger 3–0 in the nightcap after Jocko Thompson shuts out Cincinnati 2–0 in the first game. Wilber went back to the minors in 1949 to manage in the Texas League.
»May 10, 1953:
Vic Raschi makes his 1st relief appearance in two years, limiting the Red Sox to three hits in four innings, as the Yankees win, 7–4. Billy Goodman sustains a freak rib accident, which will keep him out of action for three weeks, when Jim Piersall picks him up and lugs him from the field to break up Goody's argument with umpire Jim Duffy. Del Wilber hits his 2nd consecutive pinch homer in the 8th; his first came on May 6th.
»May 21, 1953: At Fenway, Bosox C Del Wilber hits his 3rd pinch homer of the year, this one a 14th inning solo homer to beat the reliever Don Larsen and the Browns, 3–2. Former Red Sox Don Lenhardt takes Skinny Brown downtown with a CF shot just left of the flag pole and the last upright of the screen.
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