Randy Gumpert

Randall Pennington Gumpert (January 23, 1918 – November 25, 2008) was a Major League Baseball pitcher, playing for five different teams throughout his career. He was born in Monocacy, Pennsylvania. His pro career began when he was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics as a free agent before the 1936 season, at the age of 18. Even before that, he threw batting practice for the Athletics in Shibe Park as far back as 1934 before he was signed to the team. He pitched three seasons of relief in Philadelphia before being traded to the New York Yankees in July 1939.

Gumpert spent a few years in the minors before deciding to enter military service. He served in World War II as a member of the United States Coast Guard. After finishing his time in the military, he was able to make it to the major league roster for the 1946 season. He played well in his first season as a Yankee, earning an 11–3 record with an earned run average of 2.31. Gumpert played fewer innings the following season, but still received a 4–1 record. He continued being a relief pitcher for part of the 1948 season before he was purchased by the Chicago White Sox. He finished the 1948 season in the starting rotation for the White Sox. He spent the 1949 season in the starting rotation as well, and managed to keep his spot throughout the year despite allowing the most home runs in the American League. It was also the one season where Gumpert pitched over 200 innings, pitching 234, and the season where he pitched the most complete games and shutouts, with 18 and 3, respectively. The 1950 season saw Randy split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen.

On May 1, 1951, Gumpert became part of baseball history as he allowed Mickey Mantle's first home run. 1951 also saw Gumpert make his only all-star appearance, in which he did not pitch. On November 13, 1951, Gumpert was traded along with Don Lenhardt to the Boston Red Sox for Mel Hoderlein and Chuck Stobbs. After playing 10 games for the Red Sox, he was traded again, this time to the Washington Senators with Walt Masterson for Sid Hudson.

After spending the rest of the season in Washington, both in the rotation and the bullpen, Gumpert retired. He later became a scout for the New York Yankees.

1. ^ http://www.legacy.com/ReadingEagle/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=120684917
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Randy Gumpert Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com". Retrieved 2007-05-17. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Randy Gumpert - BaseballLibrary.com". Archived from the original on 2007-01-06. Retrieved 2007-05-18. 
4. ^ Bedingfield, Gary. "Those Who Served". Baseball in Wartime. Retrieved 2007-05-18.