On Sunday, July 27, 1941, Larry Gilbert, pilot of the Nashville Southern Association’s club, received a special award from The Sporting News, a prestigious national publication, at ceremonies held at Sulphur Dell. This award was a significant recognition of his selection as the outstanding minor league manager in 1940. Nashville sportswriter Fred Russell presented the award before the Sunday doubleheader between the Vols and Lookouts.
The plaque read:
Lawrence W. Gilbert
Manager of Nashville Vols
Cited by The Sporting News as the outstanding manager in the minors in 1940 by keeping the Nashville team at the top of the Southern Association every day of the season and winning the pennant, playoffs, and Dixie Series in his seventeenth year as a pilot in the league, during which he led six flag-winners, three second-placers, five thirds, and two fourths.
Given under my hand this hundredth and second year of baseball, since its origin at Cooperstown, in 1839.
(signed) J. G. Taylor Spink
Publisher, The Sporting News
The publication addressed the presentation of the award in its August 7, 1941, edition:
Surrounded by members of his own club and the Chattanooga Lookouts, Gilbert was lauded as one of Nashville’s leading civic assets by J. Gordon Shanklin, president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Kiki Cuyler, the Chattanooga skipper, described him as a ‘great manager, a gentleman and a credit to baseball.’ In his acceptance speech, Larry humbly acknowledged the award, expressing his confidence that the Vols would have been strong contenders for the pennant had it not been for injuries to some key players.
Gilbert also received a lifetime gold pass from the league. The two clubs split the doubleheader after the ceremony, Nashville winning the opener, 8-2, and Chattanooga the nightcap, 7-4.
It was the third commemoration at the ballpark during Nashville’s baseball season. Gilbert was honored on May 7 after the scheduled affair was rained out the previous game in recognition of his 25th anniversary in the league. On June 9, the Southern Association pennant was raised at the centerfield flagpole.
One notable event was yet to be scheduled: the Nashville ball club was eagerly awaiting the presentation of the Dixie Series pennant for the Vols’ playoff victory over the Houston Buffaloes.
The 1941 season was a significant one for Gilbert and the Nashville Vols. Despite Atlanta’s overwhelming lead in the standings, the Vols managed to cut the Crackers’ lead and earn the right to play in the Dixie Series after disposing of New Orleans in the league playoffs. The Vols then capped off the season with a second consecutive title over the Dallas Rebels in a four-game sweep, marking a memorable season in Gilbert’s career.
It was Gilbert’s third season in Nashville, having previously spent 15 years managing his hometown New Orleans Pelicans. Those teams won the Southern Association crown in 1923, 1926, 1927, and 1934, and the Dixie Series in 1933 and 1934. Gilbert played until 1925 before focusing solely on managing the Pelicans.
Gilbert’s cumulative record, winning percentage, and place in the standings through the 1941 season:
1923 New Orleans – 89-57 .610 (1)
1924 New Orleans – 93-60 .608 (3)
1925 New Orleans – 85-68 .556 (2)
1926 New Orleans – 101-53 .656 (1)
1927 New Orleans – 96-57 .627 (1)
1928 New Orleans – 73-74 .497 (3)
1929 New Orleans – 89-64 .582 (3)
1930 New Orleans – 91-91 .500 (2)
1931 New Orleans – 78-75 .510 (5)
1933 New Orleans – 88-65 .575 (2)
1934 New Orleans – 94-60 .610 (1)
1935 New Orleans – 86-67 .562 (2)
1936 New Orleans – 81-71 .533 (4)
1937 New Orleans – 84-66 .560 (4)
1938 New Orleans – 79-70 .530 (3)
1939 Nashville – 85-68 .556 (3)
1940 Nashville – 101-47 .682 (1)
1941 Nashville – 83-70 .542 (2)
1942 Nashville – 85-66 .563 (2)
Upon retirement, Gilbert had a career managing record of 2,125-1,653, good for a .562 winning percentage.
In addition to sources listed below, the author consulted Rip Baseball (https://ripbaseball.com/2023/04/03/grave-story-larry-gilbert-1891-1965/) and Marshall D. Wright’s The Southern Association in Baseball 1885-1961 (2002: McFarland Publishing).
Sources
Nashville Banner
Nashville Tennessean
Newspapers.com
Paper of Record
Sabr.org
The Sporting News
© 2024 by Skip Nipper. All Rights Reserved.
