Wally Schang

From SoSH

Walter Henry Schang was the primary catcher for the 1918 Red Sox. During that season, he also played a little bit at third base, shortstop, left field, and center field.

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Moment in the Sun 3 Trivia 4 Transactions 5 External Links

Overall Career

Wally Schang was originally a shortstop, but moved behind the plate to replace his brother on a town team in Buffalo, New York. Less than two years later, he was with the Philadelphia Athletics.

Schang was traded to Boston in December 1917 along with Joe Bush and Amos Strunk. In his career, he played in six World Series: 1913 and 1914 (Philadelphia), 1918 (Boston) and 1921, 1922 and 1923 (Yankees).

Schang was stocky and very strong; two of his off-season jobs were as a blacksmith and sewing covers on Pullman mattresses. His brother Robert Schang was a catcher for the Pirates, Giants and Cardinals (1914-15, 1927).

Moment in the Sun

On September 8, 1916, Schang became the first major league player to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game. He finished that season with 7 home runs, third best in the American League.

Trivia

Transactions

September 1912: Drafted by the Philadelphia Athletics from Buffalo (International League) in the 1912 rule V draft. (Date is approximate.)

December 14, 1917: Traded by the Philadelphia Athletics with Joe Bush and Amos Strunk to the Boston Red Sox for Vean Gregg, Merlin Kopp, Pinch Thomas, and $60,000.

December 15, 1920: Traded by the Boston Red Sox with Harry Harper, Waite Hoyt, and Mike McNally to the New York Yankees for Muddy Ruel, Del Pratt, Sammy Vick, and Hank Thormahlen.

February 6, 1926: Traded by the New York Yankees to the St. Louis Browns for George Mogridge and cash.

December 11, 1929: Traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Philadelphia Athletics for Sammy Hale.

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis