Gerry Staley, 87; Pitched For White Sox In '59 Series
Bill Schenley
Photo:
http://www.whitesoxinteractive.com/gallery/data/8/staley.jpg
FROM: The (WA) Columbian ~
By Greg Jayne, Sports Editor
Gerry Staley, perhaps the most successful major leaguer
to come out of Clark County, has died at the age of 87.
Staley, who was born in Brush Prairie and went on to four
All-Star selections, died Wednesday at his Hazel Dell home.
"He was a good man, and he lived a good life," said family
friend Bill Hersh. "He was pretty energetic up to the end."
A right-handed pitcher, Staley compiled a career record of
134-111 with a 3.70 ERA from 1947-61. He appeared in the
1959 World Series with the Chicago White Sox, after
compiling an 8-5 record with 14 saves and a 2.24 ERA
during the season.
Staley appeared in four of the World Series games, pitching
8 1 / 3 innings with a 2.16 ERA as the White Sox lost to the
Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.
"Just being in the World Series was something," Staley told
The Columbian in 2005. "Even some of your great players
don't get a chance."
Prior to his major-league career, Staley served with an Army
evacuation hospital unit in the South Pacific during World
War II.
He reached the major leagues in 1947 with the St. Louis
Cardinals, and was named to the National League All-Star team
in 1952 and 1953. From 1951-53 with the Cardinals, he posted
19, 17, and 18 victories.
After stops with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees,
Staley landed with the White Sox, where his career was
rejuvenated.
During the pennant-winning season of 1959, he led the
American League by pitching in 67 games. The following year,
he went 13-8 with 10 saves and was named to the American
League All-Star team, becoming one of the few pitchers to be
an All-Star as both a starter and a reliever.
Along the way, Staley faced the likes of Stan Musial, Mickey
Mantle and Hank Aaron.
"I played in an era when there were a heck of a lot of good
ballplayers," he said in 2005. "You can't single out one over
all the rest.
"If you kept the ball in the park, you were doing a good deed."
Despite his travels with the Army and the nomadic life of a
baseball player, Staley was a lifelong resident of Clark County.
Following his retirement from baseball, he spent 17 years as a
supervisor for Clark County Parks and Recreation.
He spent his later years tending to his garden and fishing for
steelhead. And along the way, he was inducted to the State of
Washington Sports Hall of Fame, the Clark County Hall of
Fame, and the Washington State Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of
Fame.
Staley also found time to respond to fan mail that arrived
from baseball fans throughout the country, autographing
pictures or baseball cards.
"There are some players who won't sign unless they get paid
for it," he said. "What the heck; I've got enough to live on.
It's nice to be remembered."
Staley was preceded in death by Shirle, his wife of 55 years.
He is survived by a son and daughter.
No memorial service has been planned. Remembrances may be
sent to 2517 NE 100th St., Vancouver, 98686.
---
Photo:
http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/sports/baseball/images/autographs/auto-staleyjerry.JPG
1952 Bowman (#50) baseball card:
http://www.vintagecardtraders.com/virtual/52bowman/52bowman-050.jpg
Stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/stalege01.shtml
Tony Cristaldi
Ya know, that heroin stuff and all.
"Bill Schenley" <stra...@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
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