Monty Stratton
Monty Stratton | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Palacios, Texas, U.S. | May 21, 1912|
Died: September 29, 1982 Greenville, Texas, U.S. | (aged 70)|
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 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
Monty Franklin Pierce Stratton (May 21, 1912 – September 29, 1982) was an American
Major league career
Stratton began his career with the Van Alstyne Grays before playing for the
A 6-foot-5-inch right-hander, Stratton made his debut with the White Sox on June 2, 1934. He became a
Post-accident
On November 27, 1938, Stratton was hunting rabbits on his family farm when he fell, accidentally discharging his
When World War II began, Stratton attempted to enlist but was rejected. Then he organized a semi-professional baseball team at Greenville, Texas and 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 the
Legacy and life after baseball
Stratton's comeback attempt was the subject of a 1949 film and
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 Greenville Little League Baseball program 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 in Arlington, Texas at age 90.[4] Monty and Ethel Stratton are buried at Memoryland Memorial Park in Greenville.
References
- ^ a b "Monty Stratton". baseballbiography.com. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
- ]
- ^ "Monty Stratton (minors)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
- ^ a b "Ethel Stratton dead at 90". Herald-Banner. Greenville: The Dead Ball Era. August 22, 2006. Retrieved September 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. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs
- The Stratton Story at IMDb
- Monty Stratton at The Deadball Era
- Monty Stratton at Find a Grave