Dick Gernert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dick Gernert |
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Gernert in 1953
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| First baseman | |||
| Born: September 28, 1928 Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Died: November 30, 2017 (aged 89) Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 16, 1952, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| May 9, 1962, for the Houston Colt .45s | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .254 | ||
| Home runs | 103 | ||
| Runs batted in | 402 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Richard Edward Gernert (born September 28, 1928 – died November 30, 2017) was an American professional baseball player. He played as a first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Later, he also worked as a coach.
Gernert played for several teams during his career. These included the Boston Red Sox (from 1952 to 1959), the Chicago Cubs (1960), the Detroit Tigers (1960–1961), the Cincinnati Reds (1961), and the Houston Colt .45s (1962). He threw and batted with his right hand. He was a tall player, standing 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and weighing 209 pounds (95 kg). His uncle, Dom Dallessandro, also played in the Major Leagues.
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Dick Gernert: A Baseball Career
Dick Gernert spent many years playing for the Boston Red Sox in the 1950s. He often shared his first base position with other players. These included Vic Wertz, Norm Zauchin, and Mickey Vernon.
Playing for the Red Sox
Gernert was a strong right-handed batter. The Red Sox signed him because his powerful hits were perfect for Fenway Park. This stadium has a famous tall wall in left field called the Green Monster. Right-handed batters like Gernert could hit balls off or over this wall.
In 1956, Gernert had his best batting average, hitting .291. He also hit more than 20 home runs in both 1953 and 1958.
Career Highlights and Stats
During his 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, Gernert played in 835 games. He had 2,493 at bats. He scored 357 runs and made 632 hits. He also hit 104 doubles and eight triples.
Gernert hit 103 home runs and had 402 runs batted in (RBI). He also stole 10 bases and earned 363 walks. His overall batting average for his career was .254.
A Historic Trade
On November 21, 1959, Gernert was part of a special trade. This was the first time in baseball history that teams from different leagues traded players without needing special permission. The Boston Red Sox sent him to the Chicago Cubs. In return, the Red Sox received first baseman Jim Marshall and pitcher Dave Hillman.
Later, in 1961, Gernert played for the Cincinnati Reds. He helped the Reds win the National League pennant that year. He often played as a pinch hitter, coming into the game to bat for another player. The Reds played in the 1961 World Series against the New York Yankees. However, the Reds lost the series in five games. Gernert did not get any hits in his pinch-hitting chances during the World Series.
After Playing Baseball
After his playing career ended, Dick Gernert continued to work in baseball. He was a coach for the Texas Rangers from 1975 to 1976. He also worked as a minor league manager. For many years, he was a scout for various teams. He was especially known for his scouting work with the New York Mets.
Dick Gernert passed away on November 30, 2017, at the age of 89.
