Gene Crumling

Who was Gene Crumling?

Eugene Leon Crumling was a backup catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1945 season. Listed at 6 ft 0 in, 180 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.

Born and raised in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, Crumling earned the nickname "Lefty" while a boy, before he began throwing right-handed. Born with the surname Crumbling, he dropped the 'b' from it following high school.

Crumling was one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the majors during World War II. He joined the Cardinals late in the 1945 season, as part of a catching tandem that included Ken O'Dea, Del Rice and Walker Cooper. He posted a .083 batting average in six games.

He also played for eight Minor league teams from 1941 through 1952, hitting a .236 average in 895 games.

Besides this, he managed for three seasons in the Interstate League and the Pennsylvania–Ontario–New York League.

Following his baseball career, he worked as a bartender for many years.

Crumling died in Yorkana, Pennsylvania, at the age of 89.