Charlie Gehringer: A Biography of the Hall of Fame Tigers Second Baseman [Paperback]

John C. Skipper (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786435747 | ISBN-13: 978-0786435746 | Publication Date: September 8, 2008

Charlie Gehringer was the best second baseman of his era. He is regarded by many as the best two-strike hitter of all time and his seemingly effortless fielding ability earned him the nickname of "The Mechanical Man." Sports writers groused that he was too quiet to be a star. Charlie replied that he didn't hit with his mouth. This work follows Gehringer's career from the day a scout spotted him on the sandlots of Michigan in 1923 to his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1949 and into his life after baseball.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Essential." --Library Journal

About the Author

John C. Skipper grew up in the Chicago suburbs in the era when Minnie Minoso and Hank Sauer were heroes to Chicagoans--depending on which team you rooted for. Skipper is a career newsman and former general manager of a minor league team. He has written nine books for McFarland, including biographies of Grover Cleveland Alexander and Dazzy Vance. He lives in Mason City, Iowa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 209 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (September 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786435747
• ISBN-13: 978-0786435746
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,393,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars He Led A Quiet Unassuming Life, November 5, 2008

By 

C. W. Emblom "Bill Emblom" (Ishpeming, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Charlie Gehringer: A Biography of the Hall of Fame Tigers Second Baseman (Paperback)

Author John Skipper's book on Detroit Tiger second baseman Charlie Gehringer is a welcome addition not only to biographies of Detroit Tiger players, but to baseball biographies as well. Gehringer began his career with the Tigers in 1924 when Ty Cobb was at the helm. Charlie's quiet personality didn't relate very well to Cobb's demeanor. Gehringer's nickname, The Mechanical Man, came from the easy way he handled himself around second base by knowing where to play the opposition's batters. Charlie would not fit into a sportswriter's dream interview since he was very economical with his words. Former manager Mickey Cochrane once said, "He says 'hello' opening day, 'goodbye' closing day and, in between, hits .350." Gehringer spent a good portion of his life caring for his mother, and didn't marry until after his mother passed away. He retired following the 1942 season and later spent time during the early 1950s as the General Manager of the Tigers. He didn't seek the job, and the trades he made didn't produce positive results. In addition team owner Walter "Spike" Briggs held a segregationist attitude regarding the signing of black players which kept the Tigers floundering during the 1950s. After suffering a stroke in December of 1992 Gehringer died on January 21, 1993. I did find some errors in the book. Ty Cobb's lifetime batting average is .367 not .366 as mentioned on page 19. Johnny Lipon was an infielder with the Tigers and not an outfielder as stated on page 162. Al Kaline signed with the Tigers right out of high school in 1953 and not in 1951 as stated on page 165. These were errors I caught but I do appreciate having a book on this Hall of Fame player of the Detroit Tigers.