Johnny Gerlach
Born: 5/11/1917 in Shullsburg, WI, USA
Died: 8/28/1999 in Madison, WI, USA
MLB Debut: 1938-09-03 | Final Game: 1939-09-21
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 165 lbs
Full name: John Glenn Gerlach
Biography
Johnny Gerlach was a professional baseball player born in 1917, whose career unfolded in the late 1930s during a transformative period in the sport. He played as a position player from September 3, 1938, to September 21, 1939, making a brief yet notable impact in Major League Baseball. Over the course of his career, Gerlach appeared in 12 games, where he showcased his skills with a commendable batting average of .333, collecting 9 hits and driving in 1 run. Though he did not hit any home runs or steal bases, his ability to make contact with the ball in a limited number of appearances highlighted his potential during a competitive era in baseball.
Gerlach's time in the league was marked by the challenges of the pre-World War II baseball landscape, where players often juggled their careers with the uncertainties of the times. His contributions, while modest in terms of games played, reflect a dedication to the sport and an era when many players faced stiff competition for roster spots. Despite his short stint at the major league level, Johnny Gerlach remains a part of baseball history, representing the many athletes who sought to leave their mark on America's pastime.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 27 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0.333 | 0.419 | 0.333 | 0.753 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | CHW | AL | 9 | 25 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0.280 | 0.0 |
| 1939 | CHW | AL | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 8 | 0 | 17 | 20 | 2 | 9 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | CHA | SS | 8 | 0 | 17 | 20 | 2 | 9 |
| 1939 | CHA | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Third Base | 1 |
| Shortstop | 8 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin at Madison | Madison | WI | 1936, 1937, 1938 |