Bill DeLancey
William Pinkney DeLancey
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11½", Weight 185 lb.
- High School Bessemer High School (Greensboro)
- Debut September 11, 1932
- Final Game September 8, 1940
- Born November 28, 1911 in Greensboro, NC USA
- Died November 28, 1946 in Phoenix, AZ USA
Biographical Information[edit]
Catcher Bill DeLancey was a part of the Gas House Gang, hitting 13 home runs in 93 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1934. He played four years in the majors.
DeLancey began in the minors in 1930 and by 1932 was one of the major leagues' youngest players. In the minors for most of 1932, he slugged nearly .600 for Springfield in the Western Association. After another season in the minors with the 1933 Columbus Red Birds for whom he hit 21 home runs and 11 triples, he came to the majors for all of 1934 and 1935.
He had the highest on-base percentage and the second-highest slugging percentage on the 1934 Cardinals and hit three doubles and a home run in the 1934 World Series.
After the 1935 season he developed lung problems and was out of baseball for a number of years. He came back in the minors in 1938 and 1939 for a few games each year and was up in the majors again in 1940 for 15 games.
In 1941 he was a player-manager in the minors and he also managed a couple more seasons in the minors.
He died on his birthday at the age of 35.
Notable Achievement[edit]
- Won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1934
Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | Albuquerque Cardinals | Arizona-Texas League | 56-59 | 3rd | League Champs | ||
| 1938 | Albuquerque Cardinals | Arizona-Texas League | 67-65 | 3rd | St. Louis Cardinals | ||
| 1939 | Albuquerque Cardinals | Arizona-Texas League | 70-60 | 2nd | St. Louis Cardinals | League Champs | |
| 1941 | Pocatello Cardinals | Pioneer League | 64-66 | 4th | St. Louis Cardinals | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1942 | Asheville Tourists | Piedmont League | 35-55 | -- | St. Louis Cardinals | -- | replaced by Ollie Vanek (26-22) on July 28 |
Further Reading[edit]
- Thomas Ayers: "William 'Bill' DeLancey", in Charles F. Faber, ed.: The 1934 St. Louis Cardinals: The World Champion Gas House Gang, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2014, pp. 96-101. ISBN 978-1-933599-731
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