Thu, Nov 26 2009
|
|
Published September 08, 2008 12:19 am - PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg icon Don Gutteridge, the last survivor of the St. Louis Cardinals’ “Gas House Gang” from the 1930s, died Sunday. Gutteridge’s family was by his side when he died late in the afternoon at his home in Pittsburg. Don Gutteridge dies at 96 By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg icon Don Gutteridge, the last survivor of the St. Louis Cardinals’ “Gas House Gang” from the 1930s, died Sunday. Gutteridge’s family was by his side when he died late in the afternoon at his home in Pittsburg. Gutteridge, 96, was a player, coach, manager and scout during a professional baseball career that spanned more than 60 years. On his birthday on June 19, he was the seventh oldest former major league baseball player. When he was asked if any game stood out during his career, Gutteridge replied, “Every game was special when you got to put on that uniform.” Gutteridge played second base and third base during a 12-year major league career that included stints with the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates. Gutteridge’s death came 72 years to the day after his major league debut with the Cardinals on Sept. 7, 1936. The second time Gutteridge took the field for the Cardinals was one of the most productive of his career. He collected six hits in a doubleheader, including an inside-the-park home run, and he stole home twice. Gutteridge joined the St. Louis Browns in 1942 and helped the Browns to their only American League pennant in 1944. In that all-St. Louis World Series in 1944, the Cardinals were the home team for the first game, and Gutteridge was the Browns’ leadoff hitter. “I knew the whole country was watching, waiting for me to step into the batter’s box,” he recalled. “So I waited just a little longer than normal.” He played in the 1946 World Series with the Boston Red Sox, led by Ted Williams. “Ted Williams is the greatest hitter I ever saw,” Gutteridge said. After his playing career, he joined the Chicago White Sox as a first-base coach and then manager. He later was a scout for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers before retiring in 1992. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Local News section
Hundreds served at churches, shelters in Joplin area Budget cuts, enrollment declines take toll at some Kansas schools PSU planning forums to discuss latest round of Kansas budget cuts |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
Locals react with dismay to new breast cancer screening guidelines w/ new cancer screening recommendations and American Cancer Society response
 |
 |
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
 |
|||||||
|
|||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
