Del Wilber
Encyclopedia
Delbert Quentin Wilber (February 24, 1919 — July 18, 2002), born in Lincoln Park, Michigan
, was a catcher
for the St. Louis Cardinals
(1946–49), Philadelphia Phillies
(1951–52) and Boston Red Sox
(1952–54).
He helped the Cardinals win the 1946 World Series
.
In 8 seasons he played in 299 Games and had 720 At Bats, 67 Runs, 174 Hits, 35 Doubles, 7 Triples, 19 Home Runs, 115 RBI, 1 Stolen Base, 44 Walks, .242 Batting Average, .286 On-base percentage, .389 Slugging Percentage, 280 Total Bases and 5 Sacrifice Hits.
On August 27, 1951, Wilber hit three home runs to lead the Phillies to a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds
. Two years later, while playing for the Red Sox, Wilber had 27 hits and 29 RBIs, making him one of the few major leaguers to have more RBIs than hits in a season.
According to The Sporting News
' Official Baseball Register, Wilber had a unique hobby during his catching career. When a pitcher hurled an especially noteworthy game, Wilber would decorate a game baseball, writing the line score of the contest, as well as game highlights, on the ball, then present it to his pitcher.
in minor league baseball
both during his playing career and after it ended. He led the Cardinals' Houston Buffaloes
Double-A farm club as a catcher-manager in 1949. Then, after hanging up his catching gear for good, he managed Triple-A affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles
, as well as both the original
and expansion
editions of the Washington Senators franchise, and their current incarnations as the Texas Rangers
and Minnesota Twins
. His one-game stint as skipper of the 1973 Texas Rangers — as interim pilot between Whitey Herzog
and Billy Martin
, he won his only game as manager — occurred after Wilber led the Rangers' Spokane Indians
affiliate to the 1973 championship of the Pacific Coast League
, one of three league titles in his minor-league resume. Wilber also served as a major-league coach
for the 1955-56 Chicago White Sox
and the 1970 Senators, and scouted for the Orioles, Twins, Cincinnati Reds
and Detroit Tigers
.
Del Wilber died in St. Petersburg, Florida
at the age of 83.
Lincoln Park, Michigan
Lincoln Park is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It lies in an area of cities and communities known as Downriver. The population was 38,144 at the 2010 census . The settlement was organized as a village in 1921, and reorganized as a city in 1925. The area was originally home to...
, was a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1946–49), Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1951–52) and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1952–54).
He helped the Cardinals win the 1946 World Series
1946 World Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 6, 1946 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriThe Red Sox won Game 1 when Rudy York hit a home run into the left field bleachers.-Game 2:Monday, October 7, 1946 at Sportsman's Park in St...
.
In 8 seasons he played in 299 Games and had 720 At Bats, 67 Runs, 174 Hits, 35 Doubles, 7 Triples, 19 Home Runs, 115 RBI, 1 Stolen Base, 44 Walks, .242 Batting Average, .286 On-base percentage, .389 Slugging Percentage, 280 Total Bases and 5 Sacrifice Hits.
On August 27, 1951, Wilber hit three home runs to lead the Phillies to a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. Two years later, while playing for the Red Sox, Wilber had 27 hits and 29 RBIs, making him one of the few major leaguers to have more RBIs than hits in a season.
According to The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
' Official Baseball Register, Wilber had a unique hobby during his catching career. When a pitcher hurled an especially noteworthy game, Wilber would decorate a game baseball, writing the line score of the contest, as well as game highlights, on the ball, then present it to his pitcher.
Manager, scout and coach
Wilber managedManager (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...
both during his playing career and after it ended. He led the Cardinals' Houston Buffaloes
Houston Buffaloes
The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were an American minor league baseball team that was founded in 1888, played in the Texas League in the years 1888-90, 1892, 1895-99, and 1907-1958 ; in the South Texas League in the years 1903-06; and in the American Association from 1959-61...
Double-A farm club as a catcher-manager in 1949. Then, after hanging up his catching gear for good, he managed Triple-A affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, as well as both the original
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and expansion
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
editions of the Washington Senators franchise, and their current incarnations as the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
and Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. His one-game stint as skipper of the 1973 Texas Rangers — as interim pilot between Whitey Herzog
Whitey Herzog
Dorrel Norman Elvert "Whitey" Herzog is a former Major League Baseball manager. Born in New Athens, Illinois, he made his debut as a player in 1956 with the Washington Senators. After his playing career ended in 1963, Herzog went on to perform a variety of roles in Major League Baseball, including...
and Billy Martin
Billy Martin
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. He is best known as the manager of the New York Yankees, a position he held five different times...
, he won his only game as manager — occurred after Wilber led the Rangers' Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
affiliate to the 1973 championship of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, one of three league titles in his minor-league resume. Wilber also served as a major-league coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for the 1955-56 Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and the 1970 Senators, and scouted for the Orioles, Twins, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and 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...
.
Del Wilber died in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
at the age of 83.
Sources
- Wilber, RickRick WilberRick Wilber is an American author, poet, and editor. He has published more than thirty-five short stories in magazines such as Aboriginal SF, Analog, Asimov's Science Fiction, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Pulphouse, and SF Age; and in anthologies such as Alien Sex and Chrysalis...
. My Father's Game. McFarland, 2008. ISBN=9780786429844.