Monty Stratton
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| Monty Stratton | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: May 21, 1912 Wagner, Texas |
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| Died: September 29, 1982 (aged 70) Greenville, Texas |
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| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| June 2, 1934 for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 27, 1938 for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win-loss record | 36-23 |
| Strikeouts | 196 |
| Earned run average | 3.71 |
| Teams | |
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Monty Franklin Pierce Stratton (May 21, 1912 – September 29, 1982), nicknamed "Gander", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was born in Wagner, Texas, USA, but lived in Greenville, Texas for a part of his life.
Stratton began his career with the Van Alstyne Grays before playing for the Chicago White Sox. Stratton pitched five years with the Chicago White Sox (1934–38), compiling a career 36–23 record with 196 strikeouts and a 3.71 ERA in 487.1 innings. His major league career ended prematurely when a hunting accident in 1938 forced doctors to amputate his right leg.
A 6-foot-5-inch right-hander, Stratton made his debut with the White Sox on June 2, 1934. He became a starter in 1937, winning 15 games with a 2.40 ERA and five shutouts, and made the American League All-Star squad. The following season, he again won 15 and completed 17 of his 22 starts.
On November 27, 1938, Stratton was hunting rabbits on his family farm when he fell, accidentally discharging a holstered pistol. The bullet struck his right leg, damaging a main artery enough to require amputation.[1] Equipped with a wooden leg, Stratton worked with the White Sox the next two years as a coach and batting practice pitcher. When World War II started, he tried to enlist but was rejected. Then, he organized a semipro baseball team at Greenville, Texas, and constantly practiced coordination on the field.
Throughout the early- and mid-1940s, Stratton attempted to come back from his injury, pitching in the minors and semi-pro games.[1] His return to baseball encountered difficulties because other teams persistently bunted balls out of his reach, but Stratton finally was able to make a successful comeback, winning 18 games with the Class-C Sherman Twins of the East Texas League.
His comeback attempt was the subject of the film The Stratton Story which starred Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson, with big-leaguers Gene Bearden, Bill Dickey and Jimmy Dykes in cameo appearances.
Stratton died in Greenville, Texas, on September 29, 1982, at the age of 70.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Sheldon, Harold (September 1949). "Finishing the Stratton Story". Baseball Digest (Lakeside Publishing Co.) 8 (9): 45–48. ISSN 0005-609X. http://www.google.com/books?id=1TIDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA45. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
- The Deadball Era
- The Stratton Story at the Internet Movie Database
