Floyd Giebell
Encyclopedia
Floyd George Giebell was an American
Major League Baseball
player who is best remembered as the pitcher
who shut out Bob Feller
and the Cleveland Indians
in his third career start to clinch the American League
pennant for the Detroit Tigers
over the Indians.
Born in Pennsboro, West Virginia
, Giebell attended Salem International University
and played for the Tigers briefly in but only pitched 15⅓ innings in relief before being sent to the Toledo Mud Hens
, where he pitched most of the 1939 season.
of 1.00.
Giebell got his first start on September 19, 1940 with Tigers and Indians tied for first place. Giebell, who had just been called up from Buffalo where he went 15-16, pitched a complete game, giving up only two runs as the Tigers beat the Philadelphia Athletics
13-2.
scheduled to pitch for the Indians, Detroit manager
Del Baker
decided to start Giebell against Feller rather than "waste" his aces Bobo Newsom
or Schoolboy Rowe
. Time magazine described Giebell at the time as "a gawky stringbean" — Geiebell was 6'2½" (189 cm) and 172 pounds (78 kg) —who "looked like a sacrificial lamb as he ambled out to the mound." But, as Time reported after the game, Giebell was "no lamb" that day. Instead, "[w]ith cunning change of pace and the control of an oldtimer, the green-as-grass rookie shut out the Indians 2-to-0." http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,802057,00.html Feller gave up only 3 hits for the day, but one of them was a 2-run wind-blown home run by Rudy York
. That was all the Tigers needed thanks to Giebell's pitching that day.
The setting in Cleveland that day was raucous. The Indians had built a reputation as the "Cleveland Crybabies" for their whining about manager Ossie Vitt
, and had been subjected to chants of "Cleveland Crybabies," "Boohoo Indians" and "papeese" (plural of papoose) when they played in Detroit. Tiger fans threw baby bottles on the field during the game, decorated the dugout with diapers, and pushed a baby carrieage along the dugout roof during the game. http://www.baseball-fever.com/archive/index.php/t-40258.html The Indians fans turned out in force, 45,000 strong, and armed "with eggs, eggplants, cauliflowers, fruit." As soon as the Tigers went on the field they were pelted from the stands. By the time Rudy York
hit one of Feller's pitches for a two-run home run, Time reported that the field "looked like a vegetable plate." http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,802057,00.html
The umpire called time twice, and Indians manager Ossie Vitt
begged the fans to stop. When the umpire made an announcement threatening a forfeit, an immediate fruit barrage ensued. http://www.baseball-fever.com/archive/index.php/t-40258.html Hank Greenberg
was drilled with a tomato as he ran after a flyball. At one point, an entire bushel basket of tomatoes dropped from the upper grandstand into the Tiger bullpen, barely missing Tigers ace Schoolboy Rowe
, but making a direct hit on Detroit catcher Birdie Tebbetts
, knocking Tebbetts unconscious." http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,802057,00.html The Cleveland police quickly apprehended the offender, Armen Guerra, and took him to the Detroit clubhouse. Tebbetts, now conscious, beat up Guerra while the cops looked the other way. Guerra, who earlier had dropped the crate on Tebbets, filed criminal assault charges, but Tebbets was acquitted.
Giebell remained calm through the commotion in Cleveland, and shutout the Indians for 9 innings in one of the great "David vs. Goliath" moments in baseball.
. Giebell pitched briefly for the Tigers in but his ERA soared from 1.00 to 6.03. Giebell was sent back to the minor leagues. He pitched for Buffalo in 1941 and 1942 and then served in the military for three years during World War II. He returned to baseball following the war, but never made it out of the minor leagues. He retired in 1948.
Over his three-year major league career, Giebell was 3-1 in 28 games (four as a starter) with a 3.99 earned run average
in 67-2/3 innings.
According to his obituary, Gieball worked in the Quality Control Labs of Weirton Steel until his retirement.
Giebel died in 2004 at age 94 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina
. According to published accounts, Giebell still had a silver tray that had been signed by all the Detroit players to commemorate the pennant-clinching victory.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player who is best remembered as the pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who shut out Bob Feller
Bob Feller
On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
and the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in his third career start to clinch the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pennant for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
over the Indians.
Born in Pennsboro, West Virginia
Pennsboro, West Virginia
Pennsboro is a town in Ritchie County, West Virginia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,199. The city is located at the junction of U.S...
, Giebell attended Salem International University
Salem International University
Salem International University is an American private university located in Salem, West Virginia, in the United States...
and played for the Tigers briefly in but only pitched 15⅓ innings in relief before being sent to the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
, where he pitched most of the 1939 season.
The 1940 season
In September 1940, Giebell was brought back up to the major leagues and had two outstanding starts during the 1940 pennant drive. Giebel pitched a pair of complete game victories and gave up only two runs in 18 innings for an earned run averageEarned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 1.00.
Giebell got his first start on September 19, 1940 with Tigers and Indians tied for first place. Giebell, who had just been called up from Buffalo where he went 15-16, pitched a complete game, giving up only two runs as the Tigers beat the Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
13-2.
Pennant-clinching shutout over Bob Feller
On September 27, 1940, the Tigers needed one more win to clinch the pennant. With 27 game winner Bob FellerBob Feller
On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
scheduled to pitch for the Indians, Detroit manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Del Baker
Del Baker
Delmer David Baker was an American catcher, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. As a manager, he led the 1940 Detroit Tigers to the American League pennant...
decided to start Giebell against Feller rather than "waste" his aces Bobo Newsom
Bobo Newsom
Louis Norman Newsom was an American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Also known as "Buck", Newsom played for a number of teams from 1929 through 1953...
or Schoolboy Rowe
Schoolboy Rowe
Lynnwood Thomas "Schoolboy" Rowe was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, primarily for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies...
. Time magazine described Giebell at the time as "a gawky stringbean" — Geiebell was 6'2½" (189 cm) and 172 pounds (78 kg) —who "looked like a sacrificial lamb as he ambled out to the mound." But, as Time reported after the game, Giebell was "no lamb" that day. Instead, "[w]ith cunning change of pace and the control of an oldtimer, the green-as-grass rookie shut out the Indians 2-to-0." http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,802057,00.html Feller gave up only 3 hits for the day, but one of them was a 2-run wind-blown home run by Rudy York
Rudy York
Preston Rudolph York was a Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics . York was born in Ragland, Alabama...
. That was all the Tigers needed thanks to Giebell's pitching that day.
The setting in Cleveland that day was raucous. The Indians had built a reputation as the "Cleveland Crybabies" for their whining about manager Ossie Vitt
Ossie Vitt
Oscar Joseph "Ossie" Vitt , was a Major League Baseball third baseman in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Vitt later became manager of the Cleveland Indians , where he sometimes clashed with his players.-Playing career:Ossie Vitt was a product of the sandlots of...
, and had been subjected to chants of "Cleveland Crybabies," "Boohoo Indians" and "papeese" (plural of papoose) when they played in Detroit. Tiger fans threw baby bottles on the field during the game, decorated the dugout with diapers, and pushed a baby carrieage along the dugout roof during the game. http://www.baseball-fever.com/archive/index.php/t-40258.html The Indians fans turned out in force, 45,000 strong, and armed "with eggs, eggplants, cauliflowers, fruit." As soon as the Tigers went on the field they were pelted from the stands. By the time Rudy York
Rudy York
Preston Rudolph York was a Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics . York was born in Ragland, Alabama...
hit one of Feller's pitches for a two-run home run, Time reported that the field "looked like a vegetable plate." http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,802057,00.html
The umpire called time twice, and Indians manager Ossie Vitt
Ossie Vitt
Oscar Joseph "Ossie" Vitt , was a Major League Baseball third baseman in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Vitt later became manager of the Cleveland Indians , where he sometimes clashed with his players.-Playing career:Ossie Vitt was a product of the sandlots of...
begged the fans to stop. When the umpire made an announcement threatening a forfeit, an immediate fruit barrage ensued. http://www.baseball-fever.com/archive/index.php/t-40258.html Hank Greenberg
Hank Greenberg
Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
was drilled with a tomato as he ran after a flyball. At one point, an entire bushel basket of tomatoes dropped from the upper grandstand into the Tiger bullpen, barely missing Tigers ace Schoolboy Rowe
Schoolboy Rowe
Lynnwood Thomas "Schoolboy" Rowe was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, primarily for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies...
, but making a direct hit on Detroit catcher Birdie Tebbetts
Birdie Tebbetts
George Robert "Birdie" Tebbetts was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and front office executive. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians from to...
, knocking Tebbetts unconscious." http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,802057,00.html The Cleveland police quickly apprehended the offender, Armen Guerra, and took him to the Detroit clubhouse. Tebbetts, now conscious, beat up Guerra while the cops looked the other way. Guerra, who earlier had dropped the crate on Tebbets, filed criminal assault charges, but Tebbets was acquitted.
Giebell remained calm through the commotion in Cleveland, and shutout the Indians for 9 innings in one of the great "David vs. Goliath" moments in baseball.
Career and life after 1940
The pennant-clinching win over Feller was only the third of Giebell's carer, but it proved to be his last. Having played in only three games, he was not eligible to play in the 1940 World Series1940 World Series
The 1940 World Series matched the Cincinnati Reds against the Detroit Tigers, with the Reds winning the Series in seven games for their second championship, their first since the scandal-tainted victory in...
. Giebell pitched briefly for the Tigers in but his ERA soared from 1.00 to 6.03. Giebell was sent back to the minor leagues. He pitched for Buffalo in 1941 and 1942 and then served in the military for three years during World War II. He returned to baseball following the war, but never made it out of the minor leagues. He retired in 1948.
Over his three-year major league career, Giebell was 3-1 in 28 games (four as a starter) with a 3.99 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 67-2/3 innings.
According to his obituary, Gieball worked in the Quality Control Labs of Weirton Steel until his retirement.
Giebel died in 2004 at age 94 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Wilkesboro is a town in and the county seat of Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,159 at the 2000 census, and it is the second largest municipality in the county. The 2010 Census listed the town's population at 3,044. The town is located along the south bank of the...
. According to published accounts, Giebell still had a silver tray that had been signed by all the Detroit players to commemorate the pennant-clinching victory.
External links
- Baseball Almanac
- Baseball-Reference.com
- Floyd Giebell at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...