THE TRUE STORY OF WALLY PIPP

Ah, Wally Pipp, a name synonymous with greatness and a shining beacon in the annals of baseball history. Born on February 17, 1893, in Chicago, Illinois, Pipp graced the baseball diamond with his presence during the early 20th century. He played first base, mostly for the New York Yankees, from 1915 to 1925. His career batting average was a respectable .281, with 90 home runs and 997 RBIs over his 15-season career. Quite the slugger, wouldn’t you agree?

Pipp’s talent was undeniable. As a two-time home run champion in 1916 and 1917, he was the darling of Yankees fans, who admired his consistent performance. But of course, fate had other plans for our dear Wally.

It was June 2, 1925. A date which, in the baseball world, will live in infamy. According to lore, Pipp arrived at the ballpark with a headache and asked the Yankees' manager, Miller Huggins, for a day off. Some say it was a headache, others whisper about a hangover or even a batting slump. Regardless, Wally Pipp, the esteemed first baseman, was replaced by a young upstart named Lou Gehrig.

And what happened next, you ask? Gehrig didn’t just fill Pipp's shoes; he obliterated them. He played 2,130 consecutive games, a record that stood for decades, earning him the moniker “The Iron Horse.” Meanwhile, Pipp’s name became a cautionary tale for athletes everywhere.
What Became of Pipp?

After that fateful substitution, Wally Pipp's career with the Yankees was effectively over. In 1926, he was sold to the Cincinnati Reds, where he played for three more seasons before retiring in 1928. His post-Yankees career was, to put it kindly, unremarkable.

Public opinion? Well, let's just say Pipp became the patron saint of benchwarmers and the embodiment of missed opportunities. In the grand theater of baseball, Pipp was the warm-up act to Gehrig’s main performance. Fans would often joke, “Don’t pull a Wally Pipp!” when someone considered skipping a game.

While Lou Gehrig’s legacy is one of unwavering perseverance and legendary performance, Wally Pipp is remembered as the guy who made way for greatness. It’s an unfortunate but inescapable truth. Pipp’s contributions to the game are overshadowed by Gehrig’s monumental achievements. Gehrig’s career was a tapestry of accolades and records, while Pipp’s was a footnote, albeit a crucial one, in the story of baseball.

So, here’s to Wally Pipp, the man who taught us all a valuable lesson: never, ever take a day off. Because you never know when a Lou Gehrig is waiting in the wings.

--Alvin Izzo

BYB Yankee History Contributor