Al Libke

Albert Walter Libke

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 215 lb.
• Debut April 19, 1945
• Final Game September 29, 1946
• Born September 12, 1918 in Tacoma, WA USA
• Died March 7, 2003 in Wenatchee, WA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Al Libke hit .307 in 1944 for the Seattle Rainiers, and was sold to the Cincinnati Reds, where he had a two-year major league career.

In 1945, as a regular outfielder for the Reds, he hit .283. It was the highest batting average among the regulars, on a team that hit .249. He also led the team with 5 triples. He had a 20-game hitting streak and led the league with 6 double plays by an outfielder. He even pitched in 4 games, giving up 0 runs in 4 2/3 innings.

The next year he was again a starter. He hit .253 on a team that hit .239. His 22 doubles were second on the team. He again pitched, this time in only one game, giving up 2 earned runs in 5 innings.

His lifetime major league ERA is 1.93. His lifetime major league batting average is .268.

He had been a star at Stadium High School, where he pitched and played first base. The team in 1936 was unbeaten. Later, in the minors, he played for the Wenatchee Chiefs, and after his baseball career was involved for many years with Wenatchee youth baseball.

The Al Libke Memorial Scholarship Plaque hangs in the Red Lion Inn in Wenatchee.