Charles E. ‘Gabby’ Street
Class of 1990
Gabby Street: A Catcher’s Legacy and the Miracle Catch
Gabby Street was a figure in baseball history whose career spanned nearly three decades, but he’s remembered as much for his extraordinary feats as for his solid play behind the plate. Born Charles E. Street on September 30, 1882, in Huntsville, Alabama, Gabby became a professional catcher renowned for his leadership and defensive prowess, playing for several teams, including the Washington Senators.
Known for his durability and ability to handle the pitching staff, Street's playing career saw him catching future Hall of Famers like Walter "Big Train" Johnson. "Gabby’s kind of catcher is rare," said Johnson. "He never hit much, but what a receiver! A big fellow, a perfect target, and always talking, always hustling." Street’s dedication to the game was evident when he played eight doubleheaders in nine days without missing an inning—a feat unmatched in baseball.
However, Gabby Street’s claim to fame stretches beyond his steady career behind the plate. In 1908, on a dare, he became the only person ever to catch a baseball dropped from the top of the Washington Monument. With a $500 bet at stake, fans constructed a wooden chute to direct the baseball's descent. After multiple failed attempts, Street caught the ball on the 15th try, with the baseball hitting his mitt with over 300 pounds of force. This daredevil stunt remains a legendary moment in baseball history.
After retiring from playing, Street transitioned into managing and broadcasting, with a notable stint as a color commentator for the St. Louis Cardinals. Gabby Street, with his dedication to the game and his legendary catch, remains a beloved figure in baseball, his name forever etched in the annals of both athletic and historical legend.
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