Gordon Slade

Gordon Leigh Slade (Oskie)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10½", Weight 160 lb.
• School University of Oregon
• Debut April 21, 1930
• Final Game September 10, 1935
• Born October 9, 1904 in Salt Lake City, UT USA
• Died January 2, 1974 in Long Beach, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Gordon "Oskie" Slade was briefly part of the 1933 Columbus Red Birds, who won 101 games. He had been sent there by the St. Louis Cardinals in a deal in which Larry MacPhail insisted on receiving Slade and others in exchange for Burgess Whitehead, and played 45 games, hitting an impressive .353 with 7 triples. Columbus was found guilty of salary violations, and the American Association ordered that Slade and some other players be taken off the team. Slade was sent back to St. Louis. Sources: [1] and [2]

Although Slade was not a strong hitter, he nevertheless made enough of an impression with the Cincinnati Reds in 1934 to finish 15th in the MVP voting.

Slade played for six teams in the Pacific Coast League during his career.

According to an August 2, 1935 article in the Sarasota Herald,

Gordon Slade of the Reds is nicknamed "Oskie" because of his early-day penchant for quoting his alma mater's (U. of Oregon) war cry which goes, "Oskie wow-wow, etc."