Mack Wheat

McKinley Davis Wheat

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11½", Weight 167 lb.

• Debut May 14, 1915
• Final Game June 6, 1921
• Born June 9, 1893 in Polo, MO USA
• Died August 14, 1979 in Los Banos, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Brother of Zack Wheat and Buck Wheat, Mack Wheat played seven seasons in the major leagues. From 1915 to 1919 he was a teammate of brother Zack, and played catcher primarily. He was two years older than teammate Casey Stengel.

Mack also played several years in the minors. During part of 1917 when he played 42 games for Binghamton, he hit .310, which was second on the team to the legendary King Bill Kay.

The Philadelphia Phillies bought Mack in 1920, and he had the most at-bats of his career that year, becoming the starting catcher for the team. Casey Stengel was also on the team, having been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for two seasons and then coming to the Phillies in 1920.

Mack appeared in only 10 games in 1921, his major league career at an end. Stengel struggled in 1921, losing his regular job, but survived to become a part-time player with the New York Giants and then a regular for one season with the Boston Braves.

Fans put Wheat on the "all crop team", along with Gene Rye, Cotton Tierney, Mack's brother Zack, Sugar Cain, Johnny Oates, and Lee Wheat.