Wally Gilbert
Born: 12/19/1900 in Oscoda, MI, USA
Died: 9/7/1958 in Duluth, MN, USA
MLB Debut: 1928-08-18 | Final Game: 1932-09-24
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Walter John Gilbert
Biography
Wally Gilbert was a professional baseball player born in 1900, who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1928 until his retirement on September 24, 1932. As a versatile position player, Gilbert showcased his skills over the course of 591 games, where he accumulated 624 hits and maintained a batting average of .269. He contributed significantly to his teams with 214 RBIs and demonstrated his speed on the bases, recording a total of 21 stolen bases throughout his career. Although he hit only 7 home runs, Gilbert's overall offensive production and ability to contribute in various ways made him a valuable asset during the early years of the game.
Playing during a transformative era of baseball, Gilbert's career unfolded in a time when the sport was transitioning from the deadball era into a more offensively driven approach. His era was marked by the introduction of lively baseballs and the increasing importance of power hitting, yet Gilbert's style emphasized contact and base running, reflecting the diverse skill sets valued by teams of his time. His contributions to the sport, though perhaps overshadowed by some of his contemporaries, remain a testament to the talents and tenacity of players from the late 1920s and early 1930s. Gilbert's legacy serves as a reminder of the rich history and evolution of baseball in America.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 591 | 2317 | 301 | 624 | 112 | 17 | 7 | 214 | 21 | 162 | 131 | 0.269 | 0.322 | 0.341 | 0.663 | -5775.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | BRO | NL | 39 | 153 | 26 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 0.203 | -835.3 |
| 1929 | BRO | NL | 143 | 569 | 88 | 173 | 31 | 4 | 3 | 58 | 7 | 42 | 29 | 0.304 | -277.3 |
| 1930 | BRO | NL | 150 | 623 | 92 | 183 | 34 | 5 | 3 | 67 | 7 | 47 | 33 | 0.294 | -1103.5 |
| 1931 | BRO | NL | 145 | 552 | 60 | 147 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 46 | 3 | 39 | 38 | 0.266 | -1141.2 |
| 1932 | CIN | NL | 114 | 420 | 35 | 90 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 40 | 2 | 20 | 23 | 0.214 | -2418.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B | 587 | 0 | 512 | 1157 | 94 | 90 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | BRO | 3B | 39 | 0 | 30 | 81 | 4 | 7 |
| 1929 | BRO | 3B | 142 | 0 | 137 | 271 | 19 | 16 |
| 1930 | BRO | 3B | 150 | 0 | 130 | 312 | 26 | 27 |
| 1931 | BRO | 3B | 145 | 0 | 125 | 295 | 23 | 24 |
| 1932 | CIN | 3B | 111 | 0 | 90 | 198 | 22 | 16 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Third Base | 587 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso | IN | 1920, 1921 |