Randy Gumpert
Encyclopedia
Randall Pennington Gumpert (January 23, 1918 – November 25, 2008) was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
, playing for five different teams throughout his career. He was born in Monocacy, Pennsylvania
. His pro career began when he was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics as a free agent before the 1936 season, at the age of 18. Even before that, he threw batting practice for the Athletics in Shibe Park as far back as 1934 before he was signed to the team. He pitched three seasons of relief in Philadelphia before being traded to the New York Yankees in July 1939.
Gumpert spent a few years in the minors before deciding to enter military service. He served in World War II
as a member of the United States Coast Guard
. After finishing his time in the military, he was able to make it to the major league roster for the 1946 season. He played well in his first season as a Yankee, earning an 11-3 record with an earned run average
of 2.31. Gumpert played fewer innings the following season, but still received a 4-1 record. He continued being a relief pitcher for part of the 1948 season before he was purchased by the Chicago White Sox
. He finished the 1948 season in the starting rotation for the White Sox. He spent the 1949 season in the starting rotation as well, and managed to keep his spot throughout the year despite allowing the most home runs in the American League
. It was also the one season where Gumpert pitched over 200 innings, pitching 234, and the season where he pitched the most complete game
s and shutout
s, with 18 and 3, respectively. The 1950 season saw Randy split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen.
On May 1, 1951, Gumpert became part of baseball history as he allowed Mickey Mantle
's first home run
. 1951 also saw Gumpert make his only all-star appearance, in which he did not pitch. On November 13, 1951, Gumpert was traded along with Don Lenhardt to the Boston Red Sox
for Mel Hoderlein and Chuck Stobbs
. After playing 10 games for the Red Sox, he was traded again, this time to the Washington Senators
with Walt Masterson for Sid Hudson
.
After spending the rest of the season in Washington, both in the rotation and the bullpen, Gumpert retired. He later became a scout for the New York Yankees.
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...
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...
, playing for five different teams throughout his career. He was born in Monocacy, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. His pro career began when he was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics as a free agent before the 1936 season, at the age of 18. Even before that, he threw batting practice for the Athletics in Shibe Park as far back as 1934 before he was signed to the team. He pitched three seasons of relief in Philadelphia before being traded to the New York Yankees in July 1939.
Gumpert spent a few years in the minors before deciding to enter military service. He served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as a member of the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. After finishing his time in the military, he was able to make it to the major league roster for the 1946 season. He played well in his first season as a Yankee, earning an 11-3 record with an 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...
of 2.31. Gumpert played fewer innings the following season, but still received a 4-1 record. He continued being a relief pitcher for part of the 1948 season before he was purchased by the 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...
. He finished the 1948 season in the starting rotation for the White Sox. He spent the 1949 season in the starting rotation as well, and managed to keep his spot throughout the year despite allowing the most home runs 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...
. It was also the one season where Gumpert pitched over 200 innings, pitching 234, and the season where he pitched the most complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s and shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s, with 18 and 3, respectively. The 1950 season saw Randy split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen.
On May 1, 1951, Gumpert became part of baseball history as he allowed Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
's first 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...
. 1951 also saw Gumpert make his only all-star appearance, in which he did not pitch. On November 13, 1951, Gumpert was traded along with Don Lenhardt to the 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"...
for Mel Hoderlein and Chuck Stobbs
Chuck Stobbs
Charles Klein Stobbs was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox , Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins and St...
. After playing 10 games for the Red Sox, he was traded again, this time to the Washington Senators
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...
with Walt Masterson for Sid Hudson
Sid Hudson
Sidney Charles Hudson was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
.
After spending the rest of the season in Washington, both in the rotation and the bullpen, Gumpert retired. He later became a scout for the New York Yankees.
External links
- Randy Gumpert at Baseball Almanac
- Randy Gumpert 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:...