Don Wert
Encyclopedia
Donald Ralph Wert nicknamed "Coyote
", is a former third baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Detroit Tigers
from 1963
to 1970
and also briefly played for the Washington Senators
in 1971
. In 1965
, he was named "Tiger of the Year," and in 1968, he was chosen for the American League
All Star Team
and won a World Series ring.
Born in Strasburg, Pennsylvania
, in Lancaster County
, Wert attended Franklin & Marshall College
in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
where he played baseball for the "Diplomats." He was signed by the Detroit Tigers
as an amateur free agent
in 1958
and played several years in the minor leagues
.
Wert reached the major leagues in 1963
and became the Tigers' regular third baseman
from 1964
-1970
. Though never a strong hitter, Wert earned a reputation as one of the best fielding third basemen
. In 1965
, Wert played all 162 games for the Tigers and led all American League
third basemen
with a .976 fielding percentage
, marking the only year in the 1960s that a third baseman other than Brooks Robinson
had led the league in fielding. He also led the team with 159 hits, had a .341 on base percentage
fueled by a career-high 73 walks
, and even showed some power with hit 12 home run
s. With his performance in 1965
, Wert was selected for the first annual "Tiger of the Year" by the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America
, and also finished No. 10 in the American League
Most Valuable Player voting. Wert had his best season as a batter in 1966
, when he had a .268 batting average
, .342 on base percentage
, 20 doubles
, 11 home run
s, and 70 RBIs.
On June 24, 1968
, during a game in which Jim Northrup hit two grand slams, Wert was beaned in the 6th inning
by Cleveland Indians
pitcher
Hal Kurtz
. The pitch hit Wert in the head, shattering his batting helmet
. Wert was carried off on a stretcher, spent two nights in the hospital, missed several games, and was never the same hitter again. He had never hit lower than .257 in five prior seasons, but his batting average
dropped to a career-low .200 in 1968, as he managed only 107 hits in 536 at bats.
Despite his low average, Wert was selected to the roster of the 1968 American League All Star Team
by American League manager
Dick Williams
and is remembered in Detroit for his 9th inning, game-winning hit on September 17 to clinch the American League pennant
. Wert was mobbed by his teammates and fans came pouring onto the field after his pennant-winning single
. Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell
described the scene as follows in his radio broadcast of the game:
On July 15, 1969
, with President Richard Nixon
attending the game in Washington, Wert started a triple play
on a ground ball hit by Ed Brinkman
. On July 9, 1970
, Wert was involved in a bizarre play when Dalton Jones
hit a fly ball into the upper deck with the bases loaded. What should have been a grand slam
ended up being a three-RBI single
, as Jones passed Wert between first and second base. Jones was called out
. Jones later blamed Wert, noting that Wert should have been halfway to second base, prepared to advance if it was a home run, and prepared to return to first if it was caught. Instead, Jones recalled that Wert was returning to first to tag up, and Jones passed Wert just 1 or 2 steps past first base.
On October 9, 1970, Wert and Denny McLain
were traded to the Washington Senators
in an eight-player deal that brought Ed Brinkman
, Aurelio Rodríguez
, and Joe Coleman to the Tigers. Wert played 20 games for the Senators in 1971. He was batting .050 (2 hits in 40 at bats) when he was released on June 24, 1971.
Over nine seasons in the major leagues, Wert played in 1,100 games
and had a .242 batting average
, 929 hits
, 417 run
s scored, 389 walks
, 366 RBIs, 129 doubles
, and 77 home run
s. Wert played 1,043 of his games at third base and collected 914 putout
s, 1,987 assists
, and 173 double play
s.
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
", is a former third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
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...
who played 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...
from 1963
1963 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished tied for fifth in the American League with a record of 79-83, 25½ games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :* November 26, 1962: 1962 first-year draft...
to 1970
1970 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the American League East with a record of 79-83, 29 games behind the Baltimore Orioles.- Offseason :...
and also briefly played for the Washington Senators
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...
in 1971
1971 Washington Senators season
The 1971 Washington Senators season involved the Senators finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 63 wins and 96 losses. This was the Senators' 11th and last season in Washington, D.C., as they moved to Arlington, Texas the following season, becoming the Texas Rangers...
. In 1965
1965 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the American League with a record of 89-73, 13 games behind the Minnesota Twins.- Offseason :...
, he was named "Tiger of the Year," and in 1968, he was chosen for 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...
All Star Team
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
and won a World Series ring.
Born in Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Strasburg is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It developed as a linear village along the Great Conestoga Road, stretching about two miles along path later known as the Strasburg Road...
, in Lancaster County
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
, Wert attended Franklin & Marshall College
Franklin & Marshall College
Franklin & Marshall College is a four-year private co-educational residential national liberal arts college in the Northwest Corridor neighborhood of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States....
in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
where he played baseball for the "Diplomats." He was signed by 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...
as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 1958
1958 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the American League with a record of 77-77, 15 games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
and played several years in the minor leagues
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...
.
Wert reached the major leagues in 1963
1963 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers beat New York Yankees ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 9 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5–3; Willie Mays, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: USC...
and became the Tigers' regular third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
from 1964
1964 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the American League with a record of 85-77, 14 games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
-1970
1970 in baseball
-Major Leagues:*World Series MVP: Brooks Robinson*All-Star Game, July 14 at Riverfront Stadium: National League, 5-4 ; Carl Yastrzemski, MVP-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Navegantes del Magallanes *College World Series: USC...
. Though never a strong hitter, Wert earned a reputation as one of the best fielding third basemen
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
. In 1965
1965 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the American League with a record of 89-73, 13 games behind the Minnesota Twins.- Offseason :...
, Wert played all 162 games for the Tigers and led all 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...
third basemen
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
with a .976 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
, marking the only year in the 1960s that a third baseman other than Brooks Robinson
Brooks Robinson
Brooks Calbert Robinson, Jr. is a former American professional baseball player. He played his entire 23-year major league career for the Baltimore Orioles . Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner", he is generally acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-basemen in major league history...
had led the league in fielding. He also led the team with 159 hits, had a .341 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
fueled by a career-high 73 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, and even showed some power with hit 12 home run
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...
s. With his performance in 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
, Wert was selected for the first annual "Tiger of the Year" by the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America
Baseball Writers Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
, and also finished No. 10 in 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...
Most Valuable Player voting. Wert had his best season as a batter in 1966
1966 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was the 66th consecutive season for the Detroit franchise in the American League. The Tigers, who had finished fourth in the ten-team AL in 1965 with an 89-73 record, won one fewer game in 1966, going 88-74, but moved up to third in the league, ten full games behind the...
, when he had a .268 batting average
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 :...
, .342 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
, 20 doubles
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....
, 11 home run
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...
s, and 70 RBIs.
On June 24, 1968
1968 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the 1968 World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 3. The 1968 baseball season, known as the "Year of the Pitcher," was the Tigers' 68th since they entered the American League in 1901, their eighth pennant, and third World Series championship...
, during a game in which Jim Northrup hit two grand slams, Wert was beaned in the 6th inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
by 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...
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...
Hal Kurtz
Hal Kurtz
Harold James Kurtz , nicknamed "Bud", is an American former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians before the 1962 season, and played for them in 1968...
. The pitch hit Wert in the head, shattering his batting helmet
Batting helmet
A batting helmet is the protective headgear worn by batters in the game of baseball or softball. It is meant to protect the batter's head from errant pitches thrown by the pitcher...
. Wert was carried off on a stretcher, spent two nights in the hospital, missed several games, and was never the same hitter again. He had never hit lower than .257 in five prior seasons, but his batting average
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 :...
dropped to a career-low .200 in 1968, as he managed only 107 hits in 536 at bats.
Despite his low average, Wert was selected to the roster of the 1968 American League All Star Team
1968 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1968 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 39th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
by American League 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...
Dick Williams
Dick Williams
Richard Hirschfeld "Dick" Williams was an American left fielder, third baseman, manager, coach and front office consultant in Major League Baseball. Known especially as a hard-driving, sharp-tongued manager from 1967–69 and 1971–88, he led teams to three American League pennants, one National...
and is remembered in Detroit for his 9th inning, game-winning hit on September 17 to clinch the American League 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...
. Wert was mobbed by his teammates and fans came pouring onto the field after his pennant-winning single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
. Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell
Ernie Harwell
William Earnest "Ernie" Harwell was an American sportscaster, known for his long career calling play-by-play of Major League Baseball games. For 55 years, 42 of them with the Detroit Tigers, Harwell called the action on radio and/or television...
described the scene as follows in his radio broadcast of the game:
On July 15, 1969
1969 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished a distant second in the newly-established American League East with a record of 90-72, 19 games behind the Baltimore Orioles.- Offseason :...
, with President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
attending the game in Washington, Wert started a triple play
Triple Play
A triple play is a baseball play in which three outs are made as a result of continuous action without any intervening errors between outs.Triple play may also refer to:...
on a ground ball hit by Ed Brinkman
Ed Brinkman
Edwin Albert Brinkman was a Major League Baseball shortstop. He played fifteen years in the Major League Baseball, led the American League in games played twice, won a Gold Glove Award at shortstop, and had a career batting average of .224...
. On July 9, 1970
1970 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the American League East with a record of 79-83, 29 games behind the Baltimore Orioles.- Offseason :...
, Wert was involved in a bizarre play when Dalton Jones
Dalton Jones
James Dalton Jones is a former Major League Baseball player who played nine seasons in the big leagues for the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and Texas Rangers .-Biography:...
hit a fly ball into the upper deck with the bases loaded. What should have been a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
ended up being a three-RBI single
Grand Slam Single
The Grand Slam Single is a reference to the hit that ended Game 5 of the 1999 National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and one of their biggest rivals, Atlanta Braves...
, as Jones passed Wert between first and second base. Jones was called out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
. Jones later blamed Wert, noting that Wert should have been halfway to second base, prepared to advance if it was a home run, and prepared to return to first if it was caught. Instead, Jones recalled that Wert was returning to first to tag up, and Jones passed Wert just 1 or 2 steps past first base.
On October 9, 1970, Wert and Denny McLain
Denny McLain
Dennis Dale "Denny" McLain is a former American professional baseball player, and the last major league pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season —a feat accomplished by only thirteen players in the 20th century....
were traded to the Washington Senators
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...
in an eight-player deal that brought Ed Brinkman
Ed Brinkman
Edwin Albert Brinkman was a Major League Baseball shortstop. He played fifteen years in the Major League Baseball, led the American League in games played twice, won a Gold Glove Award at shortstop, and had a career batting average of .224...
, Aurelio Rodríguez
Aurelio Rodríguez
Aurelio Rodríguez Ituarte, Jr. , was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the California Angels , Washington Senators , Detroit Tigers , San Diego Padres , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles...
, and Joe Coleman to the Tigers. Wert played 20 games for the Senators in 1971. He was batting .050 (2 hits in 40 at bats) when he was released on June 24, 1971.
Over nine seasons in the major leagues, Wert played in 1,100 games
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
and had a .242 batting average
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 :...
, 929 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 417 run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
s scored, 389 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, 366 RBIs, 129 doubles
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....
, and 77 home run
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...
s. Wert played 1,043 of his games at third base and collected 914 putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s, 1,987 assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
, and 173 double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s.