Elam Vangilder

Elam Russell Vangilder

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 192 lb.

• Debut September 18, 1919
• Final Game May 27, 1929
• Born April 23, 1896 in Cape Girardeau, MO USA
• Died April 30, 1977 in Cape Girardeau, MO USA

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Biographical Information

Elam Vangilder went 19-13 for the 1922 St. Louis Browns, the year in which George Sisler hit .420 for the team and the Browns battled the New York Yankees for the American League pennant until the last days of the season. 1922 was also the only season in which he posted a positive strikeout to walk rate. In every other year of his career, his ratio was negative, including in 1923 when he walked a league-leading 120 batters and struck out only 74. Still, he was a mainstay of the Browns' rotation from 1921 to 1927 and pitched another full season as a swingman for the Detroit Tigers in 1928, ending with a career record of 99-102.

Not only was 1922 a good year for Vangilder as a pitcher, it was also great for him as a hitter as he posted a line of .344/.396/.559.

One source says he is the first pitcher to have won 10 or more games in relief in one season. He is said to have pitched a game for the amateur Cape Girardeau Capahas in 1931, striking out 22 batters and getting the win over Dizzy Dean who was pitching for a barnstorming team. He started his career with the Cape Girardeau Capahas in 1915 in the Southeast Missouri League.

He pitched for Tulsa in 1919. He played for Montreal in 1929-30. He was with the Minneapolis Millers in 1932 and 1933. He pitched one game for Union City in 1936.

His son Ken Vangilder threw a minor league no-hitter in 1948.

Notable Achievements

• 15 Wins Seasons: 2 (1922 & 1923)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1922, 1923 & 1927)

Related Sites

Find-A-Grave Memorial for Elam Vangilder