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Wally Pipp

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Wally Pipp
Pipp with the New York Yankees in 1922
First baseman
Born:(1893-02-17)February 17, 1893
Chicago,Illinois,U.S.
Died:January 11, 1965(1965-01-11)(aged 71)
Grand Rapids, Michigan,U.S.
Batted:Left
Threw:Left
MLB debut
June 29, 1913, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
September 30, 1928, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Batting average.281
Home runs90
Runs batted in1,004
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Walter Clement "Wally" Pipp Sr.(February 17, 1893 – January 11, 1965) was an American professionalbaseballplayer. Afirst baseman,Pipp played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for theDetroit Tigers,New York Yankees,andCincinnati Redsbetween 1913 and 1928.

After appearing in 12 games for the Tigers in 1913 and playing in the minor leagues in 1914, he was purchased by the Yankees before the 1915 season. They made him their starting first baseman. He andHome Run Bakerled an improved Yankee lineup that led the league inhome runs.He led the American League in home runs in 1916 and 1917. WithBabe Ruth,Bob Meusel,Joe Dugan,andWaite Hoyt,the Yankees won three consecutive American League pennants from 1921 through 1923, and won the1923 World Series.In 1925, he lost his starting role toLou Gehrig,after which he finished his major league career with Cincinnati.

Although he is considered to be one of the bestpower hittersof thedead ball era,[1]Pipp is now best remembered as the man who lost his starting role as the Yankees' first baseman to Gehrig on June 2, 1925, after experiencing a headache. This began Gehrig'sstreak of 2,130 consecutive games played,which stood as an MLB record for 56 years.

Early life

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Walter Pipp was born on February 17, 1893, inChicago,Illinois.His mother Pauline (néeStroeber) came to the US from Germany at a young age with her parents.[2]His father, William H. Pipp, was the son of immigrants from Germany that married in Michigan.[3][4][5][6]He was raised as aRoman CatholicinGrand Rapids, Michigan.[1][7]As a child, Pipp said that he was hit in the head with ahockey puck,which resulted in headaches throughout his life.[8]

Pipp enrolled at theCatholic University of Americain Washington, D.C., where he studied architecture and played baseball for theCatholic University Cardinals.[9]Pipp graduated in 1913.[1]

Baseball career

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Early career

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In 1912, Pipp made his debut inprofessional baseballwith theKalamazoo Celery Pickersof theClass DlevelSouthern Michigan League.In 68 games played, he had a.270batting average.TheDetroit Tigersof theAmerican Leaguepurchased his contract late in the 1912 season. Pipp attempted to hold out from the Tigers, demanding a portion of the purchase price, and threatened to return to college.[1]

After graduating from college, Pipp ended his holdout without receiving a share of the purchase price.[7]Pipp made his major league debut with the Tigers on June 29, 1913.[1]After playing 12 games for Detroit, batting.161, the Tigers reassigned Pipp to theProvidence Graysof the Class AAInternational League.He committed sevenerrorsin 14 games for Providence, and was demoted to theScranton Minersof theClass BNew York State League,where he only batted.220.[7]

In 1914, Pipp played for theRochester Hustlersof the International League. Pipp had a.314 batting average and 27triples.He led all batters in the league with 15home runs,a.526slugging percentage,and 290total bases.[1][7]


New York Yankees

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In January 1915,Jacob RuppertandTillinghast L'Hommedieu Hustonagreed to purchase theNew York Yankeesof the American League. As part of the agreement, the other team owners in the American League agreed to help the Yankees restock their system withprospects.One of the deals Ruppert and Huston negotiated was their purchase of Pipp. After Ruppert and Huston completed the purchase of the team, the other American League owners, with the exception ofFrank Navin,the owner of the Tigers, broke their word.[7]On February 4, 1915, the Tigers sold Pipp andoutfielderHugh Highto the Yankees, receiving $5,000 for each player ($151,000 in current dollar terms).[1]

Pipp with the Yankees in 1916

The Yankees had struggled prior to Ruppert and Huston's purchase, having only onewinning recordin their previous eight seasons. They made Pipp their starting first baseman in time forOpening Dayof the1915 season.The Yankees addedHome Run Bakerin 1916, and they formed the center of the Yankees'batting order.[10]Pipp led the American League in home runs with 12 in 1916; Baker finished second with 10. Pipp hit nine home runs in 1917, again leading the league.[7]

In1918,Pipp hit only two home runs, but batted.304. He missed playing time under the nation's "work or fight" rule during World War I; he worked as anaval aviationcadetat theMassachusetts Institute of Technology.He batted.275 with seven home runs in 1919, asBabe Ruthsurpassed him as the best power hitter in the American League.[1]The Yankees moved to strengthen their team after the 1919 season, adding Ruth and fellowoutfielderBob Meuselandthird basemanJoe Dugan.Between 1920 and 1924, Pipp had a.301 average, with season averages of 29doubles,94runs scored,and 97runs batted in(RBI) per season. Led by their strong lineup and additions to the pitching staff, such asWaite Hoyt,the Yankees finished in second place in 1920. Pipp became thecleanup hitter,behind Ruth in the batting order. Pipp hit.296 in 1921, and the Yankees won the American League pennant.[7]However, they lost the1921 World Seriesto thecrosstown rivalNew York Giantsof theNational League.[11]

On July 26, 1922, Pipp bobbled a ball during the fifth inning of a game against theSt. Louis Browns.When the Yankees returned to thedugout,Ruth criticized Pipp's fielding. Pipp attacked Ruth, and the two were separated by teammates. Though Ruth insisted they'd "settle this after the game", Ruth and Pipp led the Yankees to a victory with their hitting, and when Pipp approached Ruth after the game, ready to fight, Ruth opted against it. Pipp said this resulted in reduced tension among the Yankees, to which he attributed their improved play from that point forward.[7]Pipp batted.329 in 1922 and the Yankees again won the American League pennant.[7]In a rematch, the Giants again defeated the Yankees in the1922 World Series.[12]Meanwhile, PippscoutedLou Gehrig,who was playingcollege baseballforColumbia University,and suggested toMiller Huggins,the Yankees'manager,that he should sign Gehrig. Pipp personally helped develop Gehrig after he signed.[13]Pipp had a strong 1923 season, but injured his right ankle while stepping down from a train in Boston late in the year. The Yankees used Gehrig, whom they promoted from the minor leagues, to play in four games at first base replacing Pipp,[7]before calling upon Babe Ruth to substitute at first base for the four games at the very end of the season.[14]Though Huggins initially thought Pipp would not be able to play in the1923 World Series,[15]Pipp recovered sufficiently in time to play.[16]The Yankees won the series in six games over the Giants.[7][17]The Yankees finished in second place in the American League in 1924,[7]and Pipp led the league with 114 RBIs and 19 triples.[18]

1925: Removal from the Yankees' starting lineup

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Lou Gehrigreplaced Pipp in the Yankees' lineup on June 2, 1925.

The Yankees began the 1925 season struggling, and Huggins began to replace players in his lineup in response. Huggins benched startingshortstopEverett Scotton May 6, replacing him withPee Wee Wanninger.At the time, Scott had the longest streak of consecutive games played, with 1,307. The Yankees continued to struggle. The Yankees entered play on June 2 on a five-gamelosing streak.Their 15–26win–loss recordhad them in seventh place out of the eight teams in the American League, half a game better than the last place team, and13+1⁄2games out of first place in the standings. Before their game against theWashington Senators,Huggins replaced Pipp in the Yankees' lineup with Gehrig, and benchedsecond basemanAaron WardandcatcherWally Schangas well. Pipp was batting.244 with only three home runs and 23 RBIs, and had a.181 batting average over the previous three weeks. This was the second—not the first—game of Gehrig's then-record 2,130 consecutive games played, which lasted for 14 seasons. The streak started the previous day, as on June 1 Gehrig entered the game as a pinch hitter, substituting for shortstop Wanninger.[19]

Although Pipp's replacement on June 2, 1925, was historic, and Gehrig had a great game by getting three hits, Gehrig would in fact go 0 for 3 in each of his next two games, before being lifted for a pinch-hitter each day. Pipp would finish both of those games defensively at first base.[20][21]

According to the most popular version of the story, Pipp showed up atYankee Stadiumthat day with a severe headache, and asked the team'strainerfor twoaspirin.Miller Huggins,the Yankees'manager,noticed this, and said "Wally, take the day off. We'll try that kid Gehrig at first today and get you back in there tomorrow." Gehrig played well and became the Yankees' new starting first baseman. This story first appeared in a 1939New York World-Telegramon Gehrig's career, in which Pipp was interviewed. Pipp was later quoted to have said, "I took the two most expensive aspirin in history."[7][8][22]

According toThe Pride of the Yankees,the1942 filmabout Gehrig's life, Pipp asked out of the game because he was experiencingdouble visionfrom being hit in the head two days prior.[7]By 1953, Pipp reported toThe New York Timesthat he was taken out of the lineup due to being hit in the head by a pitch thrown byCharlie Caldwellduringbatting practice.However, while Pipp was hit in the head by a pitch from Caldwell and was hospitalized, this event occurred on July 2, a month after Pipp's benching.[7]

TheNew York Sunreported the benching was due to Pipp's struggles againstleft-handedpitchers, as southpawGeorge Mogridgewas the scheduled starting pitcher for the Senators on June 2. Other sources suggest Yankee managerMiller Hugginsmay have actually benched Pipp and other veterans in order to "shake up" the slumping lineup.[7]According to another story, supported by Gehrig's wife, Pipp was not at the game on June 2 because he wasgamblingonhorse racingat arace track.[23]His son Thomas denied this rumor, stating that his father never bet on horses.[24]When interviewed bySports Illustrated,Pipp's own children disagreed on the reason for their father's benching, believing it was either due to Pipp being beaned or struggling.[7]Thomas believed Pipp told Huggins to play Gehrig in his place, as he knew Gehrig had a future with the Yankees, while he likely did not.[24]According to a popular legend, Pipp asked to sit due to a headache. The story was confirmed by Thomas and byBill Werber.[25]

Later career

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Ruth had returned to the Yankees' lineup on June 1, the day before Pipp, Ward, and Schang were benched. Despite Ruth's return and the strong play of Gehrig, who batted.295 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs,[7][18]the Yankees finished in seventh place. Pipp was hospitalized for a week after being hit in the head by Caldwell on July 2, and he played sparingly during the remainder of the season.[7]He ended the year with a.230 average, three home runs, and 24 RBIs.[18]

Pipp(left)andCharlie Mullen(right)

Due to the team's struggles, Huggins made personnel changes during the offseason. The Yankees attempted to trade Pipp to another American League team, but could not agree on the terms with any team.[7]They put Pipp onwaivers,and he was acquired by theCincinnati Redsof theNational League,[26]who reportedly paid the Yankees a greater sum than the $7,500 waiver price.[1]The Reds, who had not had a strong starting first baseman sinceJake Daubertdied in 1924, had attempted to acquireBill Terryfrom the Giants, but refused to part withEdd Roushin the transaction, and so acquired Pipp instead.[27]Pipp again attempted to acquire a portion of the purchase price, but was rebuffed.[7]

Pipp played 372 games for the Reds over the next three seasons. In 1926, he had a.291 batting average, and his 99 RBIs and 15 triples were both fourth-best in the National League. He batted.260 with 41 RBIs in 1927, and.283 in 1928.[1]

With first basemanGeorge Kellyalso on their roster, the Reds released Pipp before the 1929 season. Pipp signed with theNewark Bearsof the International League for the season.[28]He earned $40,000 ($710,000 in current dollar terms) that year, more than he made during his major league career. He batted.312 for Newark, and retired after the season.[7]

Pipp played 1,872 games.[8]He had three seasons with a.300+ batting average, and two seasons with 100 or more RBI. Pipp had a.281 career batting average. He led both the American and National leagues infielding percentage.His 226sacrificesas a Yankee remain a team record. Pipp was the first Yankee to lead the American League in home runs.[7]Due to his famous replacement by Gehrig, players began to say they were "Wally Pipped" when replaced in a lineup, especially if it is due to a minor injury.[7][29][30][31][32][33][34]

Later life

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Pipp often attendedOld-Timers' Dayat Yankee Stadium andTiger Stadium,playing in 12 Old-Timers' games.[24]He was later hired bySports Illustratedas one of the magazine's first writers.[7]

After retiring, Pipp invested in thestock market,but lost his wealth in theWall Street Crash of 1929.[8]He authored a book, titledBuying Cheap and Selling Dear.He worked as abroadcasteron a pregame baseball show for the Tigers, wrote radio scripts, and worked in publishing. He organized baseball programs around his community for theNational Youth Administration.[7][24]He also spent time unemployed during theGreat Depression.[7]In 1940, Pipp was on the verge ofbankruptcy,but he managed to pay off his debts without going bankrupt.[24]

During World War II, Pipp worked at theWillow Runmanufacturing complex inYpsilanti,buildingB-24bombers.Following the war, Pipp worked for the Rockford Screw Products Corporation as a machine parts salesman, selling bolts and screws toautomotive companiesbased in Detroit and Grand Rapids.[1][35]

Personal life

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Pipp and his wife, Nora,[24]had four children:[7]three sons (Walter, Tom, and Wally Jr.) and a daughter (Dorothy).[24]Pipp's brother, the Reverend W.B. Pipp, was a Catholic priest and golfer.[9][36]

The Pipps moved toLansing, Michigan,in 1949. After suffering a number ofstrokes,Pipp moved to anursing homein Grand Rapids in September 1963.[1]He died there on January 11, 1965, of aheart attackat the age of 71.[37][38]He is interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcdefghijklmSpatz, Lyle."The Baseball Biography Project: Wally Pipp".Society for American Baseball Research.RetrievedJuly 26,2010.
  2. ^"Mrs. W.H. Pipp Taken by Death".The Grand Rapids Press.January 27, 1930. p. 12.
  3. ^"William H. Pipp, 74, Dies at Kalamazoo".The Grand Rapids Press.May 21, 1934. p. 15.
  4. ^"Mrs. H.W. Pipp (obituary)".Livingston County Daily Press and Argus.July 25, 1895. p. 8.
  5. ^"FamilySearch - Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940".FamilySearch.
  6. ^"FamilySearch - 1880 US census - Henry W. Pipp".FamilySearch.
  7. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabAnderson, Bruce (June 29, 1987)."A Pipp of a Legend: The Man Who Was Benched in Favor of Iron-Horse Lou".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedJanuary 7,2018.
  8. ^abcdAnderson, Chris (April 22, 2009)."Wally Pipp: A son's tale about the start of Gehrig's consecutive games streak".HeraldTribune.com. Archived fromthe originalon April 18, 2014.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  9. ^abBurroughs, Chris (October 8, 2015)."The Archivist's Nook: The Pride of the Cardinals".Catholic University of America.RetrievedOctober 15,2015.
  10. ^Hamilton, H. C. (June 26, 1917)."Wally Pipp of Yanks Has Pippin of Wallop".The Evening News.United Press International.p. 5.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  11. ^"1921 World Series – New York Giants over New York Yankees (5–3)".Baseball-Reference.com.RetrievedApril 18,2014.
  12. ^"1922 World Series – New York Giants over New York Yankees (4–0)".Baseball-Reference.com.RetrievedApril 18,2014.
  13. ^Newman, Mark (June 19, 2003)."Before Gehrig, there was Pipp".MLB.com.MLB Advanced Media.Archived fromthe originalon August 31, 2014.RetrievedApril 18,2014.
  14. ^"1923 New York Yankees Lineups and Defense".Baseball Reference.RetrievedApril 4,2020.
  15. ^"Wally Pipp Not Likely To Play in World's Series: Yankee First Baseman Has Small Chance of Being Used, Says Huggins, Because of Injury—Others Still on Disabled List, But Recovering".The Gazette Times,Pennsylvania.Associated Press.October 5, 1923. p. 11.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  16. ^"Wally Pipp Will Probably Play Today".The Lewiston Daily Sun.October 10, 1923. p. 6.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  17. ^"1923 World Series – New York Yankees over New York Giants (4–2)".Baseball-Reference.com.RetrievedApril 18,2014.
  18. ^abcFreeman, Rick (March 25, 2012)."Setting the record straight on Pipp, Gehrig".The Times of Trenton.NJ.com.RetrievedApril 18,2014.
  19. ^"Washington Senators vs New York Yankees Box Score: June 1, 1925".Baseball-Reference.com.Sports Reference LLC.RetrievedDecember 28,2022.
  20. ^"Retrosheet Boxscore: Washington Senators 8, New York Yankees 3".www.retrosheet.org.RetrievedMarch 7,2022.
  21. ^"Retrosheet Boxscore: New York Yankees 6, Washington Senators 4".www.retrosheet.org.RetrievedMarch 7,2022.
  22. ^Walfoort, Cleon (March 21, 1957)."One Minute Interviews: Mantle's big Asset... Pipp's Costly Headache".The Milwaukee Journal.pp. 2–17.RetrievedApril 19,2014.[permanent dead link]
  23. ^Murray, Jim (July 7, 1990)."Just a Pipp off the old block".Eugene Register-Guard.p. 1C.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  24. ^abcdefgKent, Andy (April 5, 2001)."Wally Pipp: The real story".Naples Daily News.Scripps Howard News Service.p. 5.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  25. ^Archived atGhostarchiveand theWayback Machine:Max Carey (April 5, 2018),SportsCentury Greatest Athletes #34: Lou Gehrig,retrievedJune 22,2019
  26. ^Farrell, Henry L. (January 17, 1926)."Wally Pipp Leaves Ruppert Service: Yanks First Sack Player and Star of New York Goes to Cincinnati".Palm Beach Daily News.United Press International. p. 2-1.RetrievedApril 19,2014.[permanent dead link]
  27. ^Farrell, Henry L. (February 1, 1926)."Reds Look Like Promising Lot With Recent Acquisition of Wally Pipp".Palm Beach Daily News.United Press International. p. 2-1.RetrievedApril 19,2014.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^"Wally Pipp to Play at Newark".The Milwaukee Sentinel.Associated Press. March 4, 1929. p. 15.RetrievedApril 19,2014.[permanent dead link]
  29. ^Missildine, Harry (May 29, 1968)."Who in Heck Was Wally Pipp?".The Spokesman-Review.Spokane, Washington. p. 16.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  30. ^"The Wally Pipp All-Stars".The Spokesman-Review.July 7, 1996. p. C2.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  31. ^"Major League baseball notes: Murray latest Wally Pipp?".The Bulletin.Bend, Oregon. United Press International. August 1, 1986. p. D-3.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  32. ^Lolley, F. Dale (November 18, 2001)."Calling Wally Pipp".Observer–Reporter.Washington, Pennsylvania. p. C4.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  33. ^"Wally Pipp of the week".The Spokesman-Review.June 30, 1996.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  34. ^Cogsdill, Clarke (June 24, 1975)."Tigers hold on win, 10–9".The Michigan Daily.p. 12.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  35. ^"Girl Major Leaguers Next, Pipp Predicts".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Associated Press. May 16, 1950. p. 14.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  36. ^"Priest Wins Sulphur Golf: Brother of Wally Pipp Is Awarded Coveted Trophy".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Associated Press. January 2, 1941. p. 13.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  37. ^"Wally Pipp Dies, Was Yankee Star".Reading Eagle.Associated Press. January 11, 1965.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
  38. ^"Pre-Gehrig Yank Wally Pipp Dies".Lodi News-Sentinel.United Press International. January 12, 1965. p. 8.RetrievedApril 19,2014.
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