Al Wingo

Absalom Holbrook Wingo
(Red)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.
• School Oglethorpe University
• Debut September 9, 1919
• Final Game September 28, 1928
• Born May 6, 1898 in Norcross, GA USA
• Died October 9, 1964 in Detroit, MI USA

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Biographical Information

"In the three days of practice to date, the player who has made the most pronounced impression is Outfielder Red Wingo, the brother of the Cincinnati catcher. He is unquestionably the most natural hitter of the players now in camp . . . His every move is that of a player about to force his way into the select society of baseball. - from the New York Times, March 3, 1921

Al "Red" Wingo had an excellent season in 1925 with the 1925 Tigers, hitting .370, good for fifth in the league. Oddly, however, his .370 average was the lowest of the three regular outfielders on the Tigers that year, as Harry Heilmann hit .393 and Ty Cobb hit .378.

Al's career major league batting average was .308, and he also regularly hit over .300 while in the minors. In addition, he showed some power in the minors: he had 20 triples in each of 1920-21 with Atlanta, and in 1922 with Toronto had 34 home runs.

Although an outfielder, he pitched 7 games in the minors, presumably because he had a strong arm.

Wingo made his major league debut with the 1919 Philadelphia Athletics, hitting .305 with 3 triples in 15 games, but did not come back to the majors until 1924.

Related Sites

Find-A-Grave Memorial for Al Wingo