John Ganzel

John Henry Ganzel (April 7, 1874 – January 14, 1959) was an American first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Ganzel batted and threw right-handed. He played with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1898), Chicago Cubs (1900), New York Giants (1902) New York Highlanders (1903–1904) and the Cincinnati Reds (1907–1908). Ganzel managed the Reds in 1908 and the Federal League's Brooklyn Tip-Tops in 1915. He hit the first ever Yankee home run on May 11, 1903.[1]

John Ganzel
First baseman / Manager
Born: (1874-04-07)April 7, 1874
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Died: January 14, 1959(1959-01-14) (aged 84)
Orlando, Florida
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 21, 1898, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last MLB appearance
September 30, 1908, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Batting average.251
Hits682
Runs batted in336
Win–loss record90–99
Winning %.476
Teams
As Player
As Manager
Career highlights and awards
  • Led NL in triples (1907)

A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Ganzel came from a family of baseball men. His brother, Charlie, was a catcher who played with the St. Paul Saints, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Wolverines and Boston Beaneaters during 14 seasons, and his nephew Babe Ganzel was an outfielder for the Washington Senators. Two brothers and two nephews also played in the minor leagues.

In a seven-season career, Ganzel was a .251 hitter with 18 home runs and 336 runs batted in during 747 games played. As a manager, he posted a 90–99 record for a .476 winning percentage.

Following his major league career, Ganzel managed several minor league clubs. In 1938 he headed the Orlando franchise of the Florida State League and was active with the club until his retirement in 1952.

Ganzel died in Orlando, Florida at the age of 84.

Highlights

See also

References
  1. Harvey Frommer. A Yankees Century, A Celebration of the First Hundred Years of Baseball's Greatest Team. The Berkley Publishing Group. p. 392. ISBN 0-425-18617-2.
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