Wally Gilbert

Walter John Gilbert

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.
• School Valparaiso University
• High School Denham High School
• Debut August 18, 1928
• Final Game September 24, 1932
• Born December 19, 1900 in Oscoda, MI USA
• Died September 7, 1958 in Duluth, MN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Wally Gilbert played five seasons in the major leagues exclusively as a third baseman. All but one year was with the Brooklyn Robins, who generally finished over .500.

Gilbert was not a strong hitter. The year that he hit .304, 1929, was the peak of the lively ball era, and the National League as a whole hit .294.

He was involved in a big trade in 1932, one that brought Ernie Lombardi to the Cincinnati Reds. Purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1933, he appeared very briefly for the 1933 Columbus Red Birds who won 101 games.

Wally played in the game in 1938 between Grand Forks and Winnipeg when Skeeter Ebnet was killed by a pitch. He was traded to Superior later that year.

He managed the Wausau, WI entries in the Northern League from 1939 through 1942. He also managed the Duluth Marine Iron team in the short-lived Twin Ports League in 1943.

He played football for the Duluth Kelleys in the early days of the NFL, from 1923 to 1926, and also played professional basketball during the winter, well before the establishment of the NBA.

Related Sites

• Wally Gilbert at the SABR Bio Project
• Football-Reference page