Larry Gilbert (MLB outfielder)
Encyclopedia
Lawrence William Gilbert (December 3, 1891 — February 17, 1965) was an American
outfielder
in Major League Baseball
and a longtime manager
in minor league baseball
. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana
, who broke into baseball as a left-handed pitcher
, Gilbert first became famous as a member of the 1914
"Miracle" Boston Braves
.
But his major league career lasted only two seasons (the Braves' breakthrough 1914
campaign and 1915
). A left-handed batter, he batted
.230 with five homers
, 29 runs batted in, ten double
s and seven stolen base
s. In , Gilbert was a member of the Braves team that went from last place to first in two months, becoming the first team to win a pennant
after being in last place on the Fourth of July. The team then went on to defeat Connie Mack's
heavily favored Philadelphia Athletics
in the 1914 World Series
. In the series, he drew an intentional walk in his only appearance.
Gilbert became more famous as a minor league manager in the Southern Association
, where he led teams for 25 seasons, including the New Orleans Pelicans
from 1923-31 and 1933-38 and the Nashville Vols
from 1939-48. He took 1932 off from his dugout duties to serve as president of the Pelicans, then was a part-owner of the Vols from 1939 through 1955. His managing career was bracketed by pennants. His New Orleans club posted 89 wins and a .610 winning percentage in 1923, and his final club, in Nashville, won 95 games but lost the 1948 playoff championship.
Gilbert won eight Southern Association championships during his quarter-century in the league, including six consecutive titles (1939-44) with the Vols. His clubs twice won 101 games (1926 with New Orleans and 1940 with Nashville). Gilbert's career record as a minor league skipper was 2,128 wins and 1,627 defeats (.567).
He died in New Orleans of undisclosed causes at age 73. He was the father of Charlie Gilbert
, a National League outfielder from 1940-43 and in 1946-47, and Tookie Gilbert
, a minor league slugger with the Vols who had two trials with the New York Giants
in the early 1950s.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
in 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...
and a longtime 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...
in minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, who broke into baseball as a left-handed 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...
, Gilbert first became famous as a member of the 1914
1914 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Boston Braves over Philadelphia Athletics -Awards and honors:*Chalmers Award** Eddie Collins, Philadelphia Athletics, 2B** Johnny Evers, Boston Braves, 2B-MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:...
"Miracle" Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
But his major league career lasted only two seasons (the Braves' breakthrough 1914
1914 Boston Braves season
The 1914 Boston Braves was a season in American baseball. The team finished first in the National League, winning the pennant by 10½ games over the New York Giants...
campaign and 1915
1915 Boston Braves season
The 1915 Boston Braves season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Braves finished second in the National League with a record of 83 wins and 69 losses.- Offseason :...
). A left-handed batter, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.230 with five homers
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
, 29 runs batted in, ten double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
s and seven stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. In , Gilbert was a member of the Braves team that went from last place to first in two months, becoming the first team to win a pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
after being in last place on the Fourth of July. The team then went on to defeat Connie Mack's
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
heavily favored Philadelphia Athletics
1914 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season was a season in American baseball. It involved the A's finishing first in the American League with a record of 99 wins and 53 losses...
in the 1914 World Series
1914 World Series
In the 1914 World Series, the Boston Braves beat the Philadelphia Athletics in a four-game sweep.A contender for greatest upset of all time, the "Miracle Braves" were in last place on July 4, then roared on to win the National League pennant by games and sweep the stunned Athletics...
. In the series, he drew an intentional walk in his only appearance.
Gilbert became more famous as a minor league manager in the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
, where he led teams for 25 seasons, including the New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans were a Minor league professional baseball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Team history:Founded in 1887, the Pelicans became part of the Southern Association in 1901...
from 1923-31 and 1933-38 and the Nashville Vols
Nashville Vols
The Nashville Vols were a minor league baseball team based in Nashville, Tennessee from 1901 to 1963; the team was inactive in 1962. Known as the Nashville Baseball Club during their first seven seasons, they were officially named the Nashville Volunteers in 1908 for the state's nickname, The...
from 1939-48. He took 1932 off from his dugout duties to serve as president of the Pelicans, then was a part-owner of the Vols from 1939 through 1955. His managing career was bracketed by pennants. His New Orleans club posted 89 wins and a .610 winning percentage in 1923, and his final club, in Nashville, won 95 games but lost the 1948 playoff championship.
Gilbert won eight Southern Association championships during his quarter-century in the league, including six consecutive titles (1939-44) with the Vols. His clubs twice won 101 games (1926 with New Orleans and 1940 with Nashville). Gilbert's career record as a minor league skipper was 2,128 wins and 1,627 defeats (.567).
He died in New Orleans of undisclosed causes at age 73. He was the father of Charlie Gilbert
Charlie Gilbert
Charles Mader Gilbert was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball from 1940-1947.Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was the son of outfielder Larry Gilbert. He died at age 64 in New Orleans.-External links:...
, a National League outfielder from 1940-43 and in 1946-47, and Tookie Gilbert
Tookie Gilbert
Harold Joseph "Tookie" Gilbert was an American first baseman who had two trials with the New York Giants of Major League Baseball. He was the son of former major league outfielder and longtime minor league manager Larry Gilbert, and the brother of Charlie Gilbert, also an outfielder...
, a minor league slugger with the Vols who had two trials with the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the early 1950s.