CCAirwaves

Famous Figures - Bill Wambsganss

• The Catholic Cemeteries Association

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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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Do you have a topic you'd like us to discuss? Please email us at podcast@clecem.org!

Please feel free to "Connect With Us" via our website at www.clecem.org.

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Speaker 1:

Thank you so much for joining us. Welcome back to CC Airwaves. I'm Paige Matillo and I'm Jen Capsio. Today we're highlighting one of Cleveland's most remarkable sports figures, bill Womgans, better known to his fans as Bill Womby, a nickname often used so his long last name could fit on the scoreboard. Womby was a second baseman for the Cleveland Indians and he made baseball history by completing the only unassisted triple play in the World Series, a record that still stands today.

Speaker 2:

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 religious family, the son of Reverend Philip Womgans Jr, a Lutheran minister, and the grandson of Reverend Joannes Philip Womgans, who immigrated from Germany. Faith was a central part of his life. After graduating from Concordia College, bill enrolled in a Lutheran seminary and planned to enter the ministry. But while in the seminary he played for the school's baseball team and discovered a passion for the game. With his father's blessing, who, as it happens, was a big Cleveland baseball fan, bill pursued a professional career in baseball. In 1913, he signed with the Cedar Rapids Rabbits of the Central Association. Just a year later, in 1914, he was picked up by the Cleveland Naps, who would soon become the Cleveland Indians.

Speaker 1:

Wambi's historic moment came in game five of the 1920 World Series. The Indians were leading the Brooklyn Robins, who would later become the Dodgers, 7-0. With runners on first and second, brooklyn Clarence Mitchell hit a line drive towards right field. Wambi Gantz made a leaping catch for the first out, stepped on second base for the second out and tagged the runner from first to complete an unassisted triple play. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment and the Indians went on to win the series 5-2.

Speaker 2:

Wambi continued his career with baseball after being traded in 1923 and wrapped up in Philadelphia in 1926. Finishing with a 259 batting average, he stayed connected to the game by managing various minor league and professional women's teams, including the Stinson, springfield, illinois, musking, michigan and Fort Wayne, indiana. Eventually, he returned to Cleveland where he managed a class A team like the Lion Tailors and the Fisher Foods. In 1948, he joined the TrueFit Screw Products Corporation as a salesman and even managed their company baseball team. Wambi lived the remainder of his life in Lakewood, ohio, staying close to his Cleveland roots, until passing in 1985.

Speaker 1:

Today, bill Wambigants is laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, a reminder of Cleveland's proud baseball legacy and a testament to how faith, family and talent shaped his incredible journey. Thank you for tuning in to CC Airwaves. It was a pleasure to share this historic story with you. If there's a famous figure that you'd like us to discuss in an upcoming episode, we'd love to hear from you. Please email your suggestions to podcast at cleesemorg or drop us a message on our social media platforms. Have a great day.