Pete Gray
From SABR Encyclopedia
| Pete Gray | |
| Peter J. Gray | |
 | |
| Bat/Throw: | L/L |
|---|---|
| Height: | 6' 1" |
| Weight: | 169 |
| Born: | 1915-3-6 at Nanticoke, PA (US) |
| Died: | 2002-6-30 at Nanticoke, PA (US) |
| Interred: | St. Mary Cemetery in Wilkes-Barre, PA (US) |
| More info | |
| Statistics: | Retrosheet |
|---|---|
| SABR Searches: | Pictures of Pete Gray | width:90% height:65% scrolling:auto | Pictures}} · Bibliography |
Pete was born Peter Wyshner, as a young boy he lost his right arm while reaching for a baseball
through he spokes of a farmer's truck just as the driver put the truck in motion. His right arm was
badly mangled and had to be amputated near the shoulder. Pete loved the game of baseball and developed skill in catching the ball with a gloved left hand and tucking it under his stump, roll the ball across his chest to his left hand and throw all in one fluid motion. At the plate he was able to anchor the base of the bat against his body and hit the ball, powered by a strong left arm.
Pete became a semi-pro star in the coal towns of Pennsylvania and with the famed Brooklyn Bushwicks. He entered pro ball in 1942 with Three Rivers (Canadian-American League) and hit .381 in 42 games. In the Southern Association in 1943 and hit .289 in a full season with Memphis. He won national attention in 1944 when he batted .333 for Memphis, hit five home runs, tied the league record by stealing 68 bases and was named MVP of the Southern Association. This outstanding showing earned him a spot with the 1945 Browns.
Even with the quality of major league play at an all-time low due to the WWII player shortage. Pete was overmatched. But he was capable of remarkable performances. In a double header at Yankee Stadium on 05/20/45 Pete reached base five times with four hits and a walk, drove in two runs, scored twice and handled nine chances afield. When baseball returned to full strength in 1946,the Browns sent Pete down. He continued to play in the minors until the early 1950's and returning to his home town of Nanticoke,PA.
Sources
- The Ballplayers. New York: Arbor House-William Morrow, 1990.
- Who's Who in Professional Baseball. New Rochelle,NY: Arlington House, 1973.
