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.
He’s a member of six Halls of Fame, most recently being inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Don Gutteridge
n Major league teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1936-40); St. Louis Browns (1942-45); Boston Red Sox (1946-47); Pittsburgh Pirates (1948).
n Career statistics: 1,151 games; .256 batting average; 39 home runs; 391 runs batted in; 586 runs; 95 stolen bases.
n Manager: Chicago White Sox (1969-70), also served as a coach for the White Sox (1955-66 and 1968-69).
n World Series: 1944 Browns and 1946 Red Sox (both lost to the Cardinals); 1959 White Sox (lost to the Dodgers).
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Don Gutteridge dies at 96
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