Charlie Gehringer
Inducted:
1949
Player Details
Stats
5-11, 180lb (180cm, 81kg)
Born:
May 11, 1903
Fowlerville, Michigan, U.S.
Died:
January 21, 1993
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, U.S.
Position:
Second baseman
College:
University of Michigan
Charlie Gehringer spent 19 seasons (1924–1942) with the Detroit Tigers, earning his nickname for his unwavering consistency at the plate and in the field. A .320 career hitter, he collected 2,839 hits, 184 home runs, and 1,427 RBIs across 2,323 games. Gehringer led the league in doubles (574) and runs (1,775), while posting a sterling .404 on-base and .884 OPS.
He earned six All-Star selections (1933–1938), won the American League MVP in 1937 after hitting .371, and helped lead the Tigers to the 1935 World Series title. Regarded as one of the best fielding second basemen ever, he ranked among the all-time leaders in assists and double plays at his retirement.
Gehringer was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1949, and his No. 2 jersey was retired by the Tigers in 1983.
Gehringer's Awards and Records
- 6× All-Star (1933–1938)
- World Series champion (1935)
- AL MVP (1937)
- AL batting champion (1937)
- AL stolen base leader (1929)
- Detroit Tigers No. 2 retired
MLB Records
- Highest All‑Star batting average (.500) in first six All‑Star Games
- Two seasons with 50 doubles (1934 and 1936)
- Led AL in runs scored, hits, doubles, and triples in 1929, the last player to lead in all four categories post‑1929
- Seven seasons scoring 120+ runs (1929–30, 1934–38)
- Led AL in doubles in back‐to‐back seasons (1934–35)
- One of six players to record 60 doubles in a season (1936)
- Led AL second basemen in assists and double plays multiple times; career total 7,068 assists—second all‑time for the position
- Played at least 150 games, hit .300+ with .400+ OBP, OPS .500+
MLB Teams
Detroit Tigers (1924–1942)
Number Worn
2
MLB Stats
Games Played:
2,323
Hits:
2,839
Home Runs:
184
Runs Batted In:
1,427
Runs Scored:
1,775
Batting Average:
.320
On-Base Percentage (OBP):
.404
OPS:
.884