Wally Berger

Walter Anton (Wally) Berger (October 10, 1905 - November 30, 1988) was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. From 1930 through 1940, Berger played for the Boston & Bees Braves (1930-1937), New York Giants (1937-1938), Cincinnati Reds (1938-1940) and Philadelphia Phillies (1940). He batted and threw right handed.

Related Topics:
October 10 - 1905 - November 30 - 1988 - Outfielder - Major League Baseball - 1930 - 1940 - Boston & Bees Braves - New York Giants - Cincinnati Reds - Philadelphia Phillies

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In an 11-season career, Berger posted a .300 batting average with 242 home runs and 898 RBI in 1350 games played.

Related Topics:
Batting average - Home run - RBI - Games played

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Berger was born in Chicago, Illinois but grew up in San Francisco where he played sandlot baseball. In high school he played third base sharing the infield with future Hall of Fame shortstop and American League president Joe Cronin, who manned second base.

Related Topics:
Chicago, Illinois - San Francisco - Third base - Infield - Hall of Fame - Shortstop - American League - Joe Cronin - Second base

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As a rookie with the Boston Braves in 1930, Berger hit 38 home runs to establish a major league record that stood for 57 years. He also batted .310 with 119 RBI. His rookie mark was matched by Frank Robinson of the Cincinnati Reds in 1956 and surpassed by Mark McGwire, who hit 49 home runs with the Oakland Athletics in 1987.

Related Topics:
Rookie - Frank Robinson - Cincinnati Reds - 1956 - Mark McGwire - Oakland Athletics - 1987

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In 1935 Berger led the National League in home runs (34) and RBI (130), and in four consecutive seasons (1933-36) he made the NL All-Star team and also was considered in the MVP Award vote. In the 1933 voting he finished third, behind Carl Hubbell and Chuck Klein.

Related Topics:
1935 - National League - NL All-Star - MVP Award - Carl Hubbell - Chuck Klein

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Berger also played for the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies. Following his retirement as a player in 1940, he was a scout for the New York Yankees and managed their Manchester, N.H. minor league team in 1949.

Related Topics:
Scout - New York Yankees - Managed - Manchester, N.H. - Minor league

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Berger died in Redondo Beach, California, at age of 83.

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