Monty Franklin Pierce Stratton (May 21, 1912 – September 29, 1982), nicknamed "Gander" for a trick pitch he developed), was a Major League Baseball pitcher. Greenville, TX. He said that Mr. Stewart ''did a great job playing me, in a picture which I figure was about as true to life as they could make it.''Mr. Monty Franklin Pierce Stratton (May 21, 1912 – September 29, 1982), nicknamed "Gander", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He organized a semipro team at Greenville, and constantly practiced coordination on the field and in his living room. But his career was shortened when he lost his right leg in a hunting accident in 1938. He became a starter in 1937, winning 15 games. He was born in Palacios, Texas, USA, but lived in Greenville, Texas for part of his life. What is Monty Stratton's occupation? It became a financial success and earned an Academy Award for the best original screenplay. Mr. Stratton pitched five years for the Chicago White Sox, winning 36 games and losing 23. The next year, he had a 7-7 record with Waco in the Class B Big State League. Lost His Fastball''I got to where I could field bunts pretty well, but I wasn't able to get any spring off the mound, and therefore I didn't have the fastball I once had,'' he said.He sold the rights to his story and spent a year in Hollywood as an adviser. His major league career ended prematurely when a hunting accident in 1938 forced doctors to amputate his right leg. His comeback attempt was the subject of the 1949 movie, ''The Stratton Story,'' which starred James Stewart and June Allyson.Ronald Reagan had sought the title role in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, but was under contract to Warner Bros., which did not want to release him because it thought the movie would be a failure. Wearing a prosthetic leg, Stratton played in the minor leagues from 1946 to 1953. Stratton pitched five years for the Chicago White Sox, winning 36 games and losing 23. His comeback was the subject of the 1949 film The Stratton Story, in which he was portrayed by Jimmy Stewart.Your contribution is much appreciated! Stratton, a 6-foot-5-inch right-hander, made his major league debut with the White Sox late in the 1934 season, after having been called up from St. Paul in the American Association. He would throw balls against the barn and experiment on the mound with his wife, Ethel, as the catcher.In 1946 he startled the baseball world by not only pitching professionally again, but also winning 18 games with Sherman in the Class C East Texas League. Monty Stratton, whose attempt to make a baseball comeback after losing a leg inspired a movie, died today at Citizens General Hospital. Monty Stratton was born on May 21, 1912 and died on September 29, 1982. He was 70 years old and had long been ill with cancer. But when Hollywood wanted to film his story, he agreed to retire. 6' 5" (196 cm) How much does Monty Stratton weigh? If you see something that doesn't look right on this page, please do inform us using the form below: Short Biography. Sept. 30, 1982, Monty Stratton, whose attempt to make a baseball comeback after losing a leg inspired a movie, died today at Citizens General Hospital. American. When World War II came, he tried to enlist but was rejected. Big League Debut in 1934Mr. Going downhill toward a creek, he slipped and fell, accidentally discharging his shotgun. Died: September 29, 1982 in Greenville, Texas, USA (undisclosed) Birth Name: Monty Franklin Pierce Stratton: Nickname: Gander : Height: 6' 5" (1.96 m) Trivia (4) Pitcher with the Chicago White Sox, 1934-1938. Mrs. Stratton, who was born on Jan. 6, 1916, died at the home of her granddaughter Denise Davis, who'd cared for Mrs. Stratton during her lengthy illness. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them.Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions.MONTY STRATTON, 70, PITCHER WHO INSPIRED MOVIE, IS DEAD Monty Stratton, whose attempt to make a baseball comeback after losing a leg inspired a movie, died today at Citizens General Hospital. His major league career ended prematurely when a hunting accident in 1938 forced doctors to amputate his right leg. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Lynch Funeral Home. He was 70 years old and had long been ill with cancer.Mr. In November 1938, lost his leg following a rabbit hunt. Monty was 70 years old at the time of death.Monty Franklin Pierce Stratton (May 21, 1912 – September 29, 1982), nicknamed "Gander" for a trick pitch he developed), was a Major League Baseball pitcher. Stratton is survived by his wife, of Greenville; a son, Monty Jr. of Marthsville, Mo.,; two brothers, a sister and four grandchildren.TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers.This is a digitized version of an article from The Times’s print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. But his career was shortened when he lost his right leg in a hunting accident in 1938. The pellets struck his right leg, which had to be amputated the following day.Equipped with a wooden leg, he worked with the White Sox the next two years as a coach and batting practice pitcher. How tall is Monty Stratton? Made major league debut on 2 June 1934 (only appearance that season). 180 lbs (81.6 kg) Where is Monty Stratton from? Monty Stratton died at the age of 70 on Sept. 28, 1982. Former Major League Baseball Player. Monty Stratton, one time great White Sox pitcher before a hunting accident took his leg, had a second son, Dennis, who died in 1964 at age 23. He also won 15 the following year.On Nov. 27, 1938, he was hunting rabbits on his mother's farm near here. Where did Monty Stratton die? He was born in Palacios, Texas, USA, but lived in Greenville, Texas for part of his life. Does anyone know if it was suicide, and if so, why he killed himself at age 23? His major league career ended prematurely when a hunting accident in 1938 forced doctors to amputate his right leg. He was 70 years old and had long been ill with cancer. Graveside services at Memoryland are set for 10 a.m. Wednesday. He was born in Palacios, Texas, USA, but lived in Greenville, Texas for part of his life.