Johnny Gerlach

John Glenn Gerlach

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 165 lb.
• School University of Wisconsin-Madison
• High School Shullsburg High School
• Debut September 3, 1938
• Final Game September 21, 1939
• Born May 11, 1917 in Shullsburg, WI USA
• Died August 28, 1999 in Madison, WI USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Infielder Johnny Gerlach was signed by the Chicago White Sox as a 21-year-old out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1938 and assigned to the Wilkes-Barre Barons of the class A Eastern League. He spent 66 games at the shortstop position, hitting .302 for the Barons. He was called up to Comiskey Park by the White Sox late in the season, playing his first game on September 3rd. He was with the Sox until the season's end, getting 25 at-bats and 7 base-hits for a .280 average in nine games.

Johnny spent most of the 1939 season with the Shreveport Sports of the class A1 Texas League, hitting .275 in 164 games and fielded the shortstop spot at a .936 percentage before being called up again by the major league White Sox. He appeared in two games, picked up two hits in two at-bats and played the hot corner at a 1.000 clip; Gerlach played his final game in the big leagues on September 21st.

The infielder spent 1940 with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association, appearing in 99 games and hitting at a .247 clip and also banged the first home run of his pro career. He played his final year in professional baseball in 1941 with the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association, hitting just .211 in 115 games. John finished his minor league career with a .258 hitting average and a .944 fielding percentage.

Gerlach served in the United States Army Air Corps for the duration of World War II. He returned to school, finishing his education, and for over 50 years he enjoyed a prominent law practice in Madison. He was an avid golfer and trout fisherman and was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. John Glenn Gerlach died on August 28, 1999, in Madison, WI, at the age of 82.

Related Sites

• Johnny Gerlach at the SABR Bio Project
• BR Minors page