Monty Stratton
| Monty Stratton | |||
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| Pitcher | |||
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Born: May 21, 1912 Palacios, Texas |
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Died: September 29, 1982 (aged 70) Greenville, Texas |
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| 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 | ||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
Monty Franklin Pierce Stratton (May 21, 1912 – September 29, 1982), nicknamed "Gander" for a trick pitch he developed), was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was born in Palacios, Texas, United States, but lived in Greenville, Texas for part of his life. His major league career ended prematurely when a hunting accident in 1938 forced doctors to amputate his right leg. Wearing a prosthetic leg, Stratton played in the minor leagues from 1946 to 1953. His comeback was the subject of the 1949 film The Stratton Story, in which he was portrayed by Jimmy Stewart.
Stratton began his career with the Van Alstyne Grays before playing for the Chicago White Sox. Stratton pitched five years with the White Sox (1934–38), compiling a career 36–23 record with 196 strikeouts and a 3.71 ERA in 487.1 innings.
A 6-foot-5-inch right-hander, Stratton made his debut with the White Sox on June 2, 1934. He became a starter in 1937, winning 15 games with a 2.40 ERA and five shutouts, and made the American League All-Star squad. The following season, he again won 15 and completed 17 of his 22 starts.
On November 27, 1938, Stratton was hunting rabbits on his family farm when he fell, accidentally discharging his shotgun. The pellets struck his right leg, damaging a main artery enough to require amputation the next day. Fitted with a wooden leg, Stratton worked with the White Sox the next two years as a coach and batting practice pitcher. In 1939, White Sox management sponsored a charity game in Comiskey Park against the Cubs, the proceeds of which (about $28,000) went to Stratton. In a touching, courageous display, Stratton took the mound to demonstrate that he could still pitch, though he was unable to transfer his weight effectively to the artificial leg.
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