On our latest episode of CCAirwaves, we dive into the life of Bill "Womby" Wambsganss. The Cleveland Indians' second baseman who accomplished something no player has matched before or since – the only unassisted triple play in World Series history.
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Episode Transcript
Thank you so much for joining us.
(00:30):
Welcome back to CC Airwaves.
I'm Paige Matillo and I'm JenCapsio.
Today we're highlighting one ofCleveland's most remarkable
sports figures, bill Womgans,better known to his fans as Bill
Womby, a nickname often used sohis long last name could fit on
the scoreboard.
Womby was a second baseman forthe Cleveland Indians and he
(00:50):
made baseball history bycompleting the only unassisted
triple play in the World Series,a record that still stands
today.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Bill was born in Garfield Heights, ohio, in 1894,
but was raised in Fort Wayne,indiana, ohio, in 1894, but was
raised in Fort Wayne, indiana.
He came from a deeply religiousfamily, the son of Reverend
Philip Womgans Jr, a Lutheranminister, and the grandson of
Reverend Joannes Philip Womgans,who immigrated from Germany.
Faith was a central part of hislife.
After graduating from ConcordiaCollege, bill enrolled in a
(01:20):
Lutheran seminary and planned toenter the ministry.
But while in the seminary heplayed for the school's baseball
team and discovered a passionfor the game.
With his father's blessing, who, as it happens, was a big
Cleveland baseball fan, billpursued a professional career in
baseball.
In 1913, he signed with theCedar Rapids Rabbits of the
Central Association.
(01:40):
Just a year later, in 1914, hewas picked up by the Cleveland
Naps, who would soon become theCleveland Indians.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Wambi's historic moment came in game five of the
1920 World Series.
The Indians were leading theBrooklyn Robins, who would later
become the Dodgers, 7-0.
With runners on first andsecond, brooklyn Clarence
Mitchell hit a line drivetowards right field.
Wambi Gantz made a leapingcatch for the first out, stepped
on second base for the secondout and tagged the runner from
(02:10):
first to complete an unassistedtriple play.
It was a once-in-a-lifetimemoment and the Indians went on
to win the series 5-2.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Wambi continued his career with baseball after being
traded in 1923 and wrapped upin Philadelphia in 1926.
Finishing with a 259 battingaverage, he stayed connected to
the game by managing variousminor league and professional
women's teams, including theStinson, springfield, illinois,
musking, michigan and Fort Wayne, indiana.
Eventually, he returned toCleveland where he managed a
(02:41):
class A team like the LionTailors and the Fisher Foods.
In 1948, he joined the TrueFitScrew Products Corporation as a
salesman and even managed theircompany baseball team.
Wambi lived the remainder ofhis life in Lakewood, ohio,
staying close to his Clevelandroots, until passing in 1985.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Today, bill Wambigants is laid to rest at
Calvary Cemetery, a reminder ofCleveland's proud baseball
legacy and a testament to howfaith, family and talent shaped
his incredible journey.
Thank you for tuning in to CCAirwaves.
It was a pleasure to share thishistoric story with you.
If there's a famous figure thatyou'd like us to discuss in an
upcoming episode, we'd love tohear from you.
(03:21):
Please email your suggestionsto podcast at cleesemorg or drop
us a message on our socialmedia platforms.
Have a great day.
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