Larry Gilbert
Lawrence William Gilbert
(Larry)
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 5' 9", Weight 158 lb.
- High School Jesuit High School (New Orleans)
- Debut April 14, 1914
- Final Game July 12, 1915
- Born December 3, 1891 in New Orleans, LA USA
- Died February 17, 1965 in New Orleans, LA USA
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]
- Won a World Series with the Boston Braves in 1914.
Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]
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
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