Larry Gilbert

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Lawrence William Gilbert
(Larry)

BR page

Biographical Infielder[edit]

Larry Gilbert played parts of two seasons in the majors but is best remembered as one of the greatest managers in Southern Association history.

As a child, Gilbert nearly lost his right foot as the result of an accident. He began his pro baseball career as a pitcher in 1910 and was moved to the outfield the next year. After playing for the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association in 1912 and 1913, he was drafted by the Boston Braves. He saw considerable playing time in rightfield for the 1914 Braves, hitting .268, but after batting just .151 for Boston the next year, he returned to the minors.

Gilbert joined the New Orleans Pelicans in 1917, and in 1919, he led the Southern Association with a .349 average, 171 hits, 237 total bases, and 42 steals. He was sold to the Cleveland Indians following the 1919 season, but he refused to report, saying he wanted to remain in New Orleans instead. He became manager of the Pelicans in 1923 while playing as well through 1925. In 1932, he moved to the front office as the team's President, but he returned to managing the club the next year.

After the 1938 season, Gilbert moved on to the Nashville Vols, who not only gave him the managerial job but also an ownership stake in the club. He remained the team's skipper for a decade and was named Sporting News Minor League Manager of the Year in 1940. After stepping down as manager, he remained a front office executive with the Vols until his retirement in 1955.

In total, Gilbert managed in the Southern Association for 25 years, compiling a 2,128-1,627 record with nine championships and five Dixie Series titles.

Gilbert was the father of major leaguers Charlie Gilbert and Tookie Gilbert, both of whom also played for him in the minors. Another son, Larry Gilbert Jr., played in the minors starting in 1937 [1].

Notable Achievement[edit]

Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Organization Playoffs
1923 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 89-57 1st none League Champs
1924 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 93-60 3rd none
1925 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 85-68 2nd none
1926 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 101-53 1st none League Champs
1927 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 96-57 1st none League Champs
1928 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 73-74 3rd none
1929 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 89-64 3rd none
1930 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 91-61 2nd none
1931 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 78-75 5th none
1933 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 88-65 2nd none League Champs
1934 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 94-60 1st Cleveland Indians League Champs
1935 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 86-67 2nd Cleveland Indians Lost League Finals
1936 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 81-71 4th Cleveland Indians Lost League Finals
1937 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 84-66 3rd (t) Cleveland Indians Lost in 1st round
1938 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association 79-70 3rd Cleveland Indians Lost in 1st round
1939 Nashville Volunteers Southern Association 85-68 3rd Brooklyn Dodgers League Champs
1940 Nashville Volunteers Southern Association 101-47 1st Brooklyn Dodgers League Champs
1941 Nashville Volunteers Southern Association 83-70 2nd none League Champs
1942 Nashville Volunteers Southern Association 85-66 2nd none League Champs
1943 Nashville Volunteers Southern Association 83-55 1st Chicago Cubs League Champs
1944 Nashville Volunteers Southern Association 79-61 3rd Chicago Cubs League Champs
1945 Nashville Volunteers Southern Association 55-84 7th Chicago Cubs
1946 Nashville Volunteers Southern Association 75-78 5th Chicago Cubs
1947 Nashville Volunteers Southern Association 80-73 3rd Chicago Cubs Lost League Finals
1948 Nashville Volunteers Southern Association 95-58 1st Chicago Cubs Lost League Finals

Further Reading[edit]

  • Jack V. Morris: "Larry Gilbert", in Bill Nowlin, ed.: The Miracle Braves of 1914: Boston's Original Worst-to-First World Series Champions, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2014, pp. 69-75. ISBN 978-1-933599-69-4

See also[edit]

Related Sites[edit]