Wally Gerber

Walter Gerber
(Spooks)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 152 lb.

• Debut September 23, 1914
• Final Game October 6, 1929
• Born August 18, 1891 in Columbus, OH USA
• Died June 19, 1951 in Columbus, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

". . . one of the best fielding shortstops to play in the major leagues . . ." - from Wally Gerber's obituary in the New York Times

Although it took him a while to get started, Wally Gerber had a long major league career, mostly with the St. Louis Browns. Wally became a regular with the Browns at age 27, and although he was not a strong hitter, stayed with the Browns until he was traded in 1928. A shortstop, he was fourth in the MVP voting in 1923, one of three times he received votes for the MVP.

Wally was born, and died, in Columbus, OH. He played in the minors for teams based in Ohio beginning in 1910 until he made his major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 23, 1914. He stayed with the Pirates in 1915 but then went back to the minors to play for Columbus in 1916 and 1917. He came up to the Browns for part of 1917 and hit well.

When Gerber was finally traded in 1928, he spent most of 1928 and also 1929 with the Boston Red Sox. In 1930 he played for St. Paul.

His obituary indicated that after his playing days he was a minor league umpire and then worked for the city of Columbus.

Related Sites

• Wally Gerber at the SABR Bio Project
• Find-A-Grave Memorial for Wally Gerber