Wally Pipp
A tall slugging first baseman, Wally Pipp led the American League in home runs in 1916 and 1917. When he suffered a migraine headache early in the 1925 season, he lost his job to young Lou Gehrig, which rendered Pipp a footnote in baseball history.
Quotes About Pipp
"I usually play a short field because I believe it is a decided advnatage to do so. But of course in the case of such a batter as Pipp, it would be foolish toplay in. You have to go away back for those sluggers." — Tris Speaker
Played For
Detroit Tigers (1913)
New York Yankees (1915-1925)
Cincinnati Reds (1926-1928)
Minor League Experience
Pipp played for a semi-professional team in Hastings, Michigan in 1910. Drawing attention with his play, later that year, he signed with Grand Rapids of the Central League. He spent the 1911 and 1912 campaigns with Kalamazoo, before signing with the Detroit Tigers for a brief cup of coffee. The Tigers didn't need a first baseman, so they farmed Pipp out to Providence. The tall youngster later latched on witH Scranton. The Tigers recalled Pipp in 1914, but shortly returned him to the minors, this time to Rochester. From there, Pipp was acquired by the new Yankee ownership for the waiver price.
Description
Pipp was tall, broad-shouldered, and long-legged. He possessed facial features often seen on tall, gangly types: a hawkish nose, pointed chin, gaunt cheeks. He appeared as if he needed a meal, but he carried 180 pounds on his 6'2" frame in his prime.
Born
Walter Clement Pipp was born on February 17, 1893, in Chicago, IL.
Died
January 11, 1965, Grand Rapids, MI
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: NYA
College: Georgetown University
Major League Debut
June 29, 1913
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1913
Edd Roush
Wally Pipp
Billy Southworth
Wally Schang
Milt Stock
Bubbles Hargrave
Bob Shawkey
Dutch Leonard
Pep Young
Related Players
Lou Gehrig... Contemporary American League first basemen George Sisler and Stuffy McInnis were rated, at least by some in the era, ahead of Pipp at the position.
Post-Season Appearances
1921 World Series
1922 World Series
1923 World Series
Notes
Despite his height, Pipp was a fine bunter. He laid down as many as 33 sacrifices in one season, and wa sknown to drag a bunt down the third base line for a single.
Hitting Streaks
21 games (1923)
Replaced
Charlie Mullen
Replaced By
Lou Gehrig, famously, with the Yankees. But Pipp started at fist again, for the Reds in 1926 and 1927. He platooned with George kelly in 1928.
Best Strength as a Player
Power
Learn More about Wally Pipp
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Sources used for the Wally Pipp Player Page:
January, 1917, issue of Baseball Magazine
