Monty Franklin Pierce Stratton(May 21, 1912 – September 29, 1982) was an American professionalbaseballpitcherinMajor League Baseball(MLB).[1]He was born inPalacios, Texas(some sources state Wagner, Texas) and lived inGreenville, Texas,for part of his life. His major league career ended prematurely when a hunting accident in 1938 forced doctors to amputate his right leg. Wearing aprosthetic leg,Stratton played in theminor leaguesfrom 1946 to 1953. His comeback was the subject of the 1949 filmThe Stratton Story,in which he was portrayed byJimmy Stewart.
| Monty Stratton | |
|---|---|
 Stratton, circa 1938 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:May 21, 1912 Palacios, Texas,U.S. | |
| Died:September 29, 1982(aged 70) Greenville, Texas,U.S. | |
Batted:Right Threw:Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 2, 1934, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 27, 1938, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 36–23 |
| Earned run average | 3.71 |
| Strikeouts | 196 |
| StatsatBaseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Major league career
editStratton began his career with the Van Alstyne Grays before playing for theChicago White Sox.Stratton pitched five years with the White Sox (1934–38), compiling a career 36–23 record with 196strikeoutsand a 3.71earned run average(ERA) in487+1⁄3innings pitched.As a hitter, Stratton was better than average for a pitcher, posting a.224batting average(43-for-192) with 33runs,fourhome runsand 24runs batted inin 71 games. Defensively, he recorded a.975fielding percentage.
A 6-foot-5-inch right-hander, Stratton made his debut with the White Sox on June 2, 1934. He became astarterin 1937,winning15 games with a 2.40 ERA and fiveshutouts,and made theAmerican LeagueAll-Starsquad. The following season, he again won 15 andcompleted17 of his 22 starts.
Post-accident
editOn November 27, 1938, Stratton was hunting rabbits on his family farm when he fell, accidentally discharging hisshotgun.The pellets struck his right leg, damaging a main artery enough to require amputation the next day.[2]Fitted with a wooden leg, Stratton worked with the White Sox the next two years as acoachandbatting practicepitcher. In 1939, White Sox management sponsored a charity game inComiskey Parkagainst theChicago Cubs,the proceeds of which (about $28,000 equal to $613,321 today) went to Stratton. He took the mound to demonstrate that he could still pitch, though he was unable to transfer his weight effectively to the artificial leg.[1]
WhenWorld War IIbegan, Stratton attempted to enlist but was rejected. Then he organized asemi-professionalbaseball team atGreenville, Texasand constantly practiced coordination on the field. He spent much time experimenting and learning how to pitch despite the prosthetic leg, primarily pitching to his wife, Ethel (Milberger) Stratton, and against the side of a barn.
In 1946, Stratton pitched for theSherman Twinsof theEast Texas League(Class C) and compiled a record of 18–8, with a 4.17earned run average(ERA). In 1947, with the Waco Dons of theBig State League(Class B), he went 7–7 with a 6.55 ERA. A major challenge was moving nimbly enough on hisprosthetic legto field thebuntsthat were commonly sent his way by opponents. After 1947, Stratton never appeared in more than four games in a season, though he joined multiple minor-league teams ranging from Class B to Class D in 1949, 1950, and 1953.[3]
Legacy and life after baseball
editStratton's comeback attempt was the subject of a 1949 film andLux Radio Theatreepisode asThe Stratton Story,both of which starredJimmy StewartandJune Allyson,with big-leaguersGene Bearden,Bill Dickey,Merv Shea,andJimmy Dykesin cameo appearances. Stratton had spent most of one year in Hollywood serving as an adviser for the movie. The film was a financial success and earned anAcademy Awardfor best original story.
The Strattons, who lived for many years on a 93-acre farm in the Ardis Heights area of Greenville, were members of Wesley Methodist Church and were also active in the Greenville community. Monty Stratton helped start the GreenvilleLittle League Baseballprogram and was recognized for his efforts by the naming of Monty Stratton Field near Greenville High School.[4]
Stratton's son Dennis died by suicide in 1964, aged 23 years.[5]
Stratton died in Greenville, Texas, on September 29, 1982, at the age of 70 due to cancer. He was survived by his wife, Ethel; a son, Monty Jr.; two brothers; a sister; and four grandchildren.[6]Ethel, who served for many years as a volunteer at Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville, died in 2006 inArlington, Texasat age 90.[4]Monty and Ethel Stratton are buried at Memoryland Memorial Park in Greenville.
In Woody Allen's Radio Days, there's a parody of a short film documentary about a pitcher based on Monty.
References
edit- ^ab"Monty Stratton".baseballbiography.com.RetrievedSeptember 18,2014.
- ^Sheldon, Harold (September 1949)."Finishing the Stratton Story".Baseball Digest.8(9): 45–48.ISSN0005-609X.RetrievedJanuary 24,2009.[dead link]
- ^"Monty Stratton (minors)".Baseball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 18,2014.
- ^ab"Ethel Stratton dead at 90".Herald-Banner.Greenville: The Dead Ball Era. August 22, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 18,2014.
- ^"Ex-Pitcher's Son a Suicide".New York Times.27 June 1964: 11. Via Proquest.
- ^"Monty Stratton, 70, Pitcher Who Inspired Movie, Is Dead".The New York Times.September 20, 1982.RetrievedSeptember 18,2014.
External links
edit- Career statistics fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs
- The Stratton StoryatIMDb
- Monty Strattonat The Deadball Era
- Monty StrattonatFind a Grave