Gene Crumling

Eugene Leon Crumling
born Eugene Leon Crumbling
(Lefty)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.
• High School Wrightsville (PA) High School
• Debut September 11, 1945
• Final Game September 29, 1945
• Born April 5, 1922 in Wrightsville, PA USA
• Died February 11, 2012 in Yorkana, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Catcher Gene Crumling played a dozen years in the minors and had a cup of coffee in the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Born and raised in Wrightsville, PA, Crumling earned his nickname, "Lefty", while a boy, before he began throwing right-handed. Born with the last name "Crumbling", he dropped the "b" following high school. Gene began his pro career with the Hagerstown Owls in 1941 and reached the majors with the Cardinals in September 1945 as a backup for Del Rice after the starter, Ken O'Dea, was hurt. He made his big league debut on September 11th against the New York Giants, got his first major league at bat against the Brooklyn Dodgers three days later, and earned his first start on September 16th against the Philadelphia Phillies. He got his only hit on the 17th against the Phillies, singling off Hall of Fame slugger Jimmie Foxx, who pitched a handful of games in his last season. Overall, Crumling played six games, putting the ball in play during 11 of his 12 at bats. Crumling returned to the minors in 1946 and was a player-manager in parts of several seasons. Following his baseball days, he was a bartender for many years.

Main source: One Hit Wonders.

Related Sites

• Gene Crumling at the SABR Bio Project
• RIP Gene 'Lefty' Crumling, one-hit wonder
• Short major league stay was long-lasting memory for Crumling

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