Al Wingo

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Absalom Holbrook Wingo (May 6, 1898 - October 9, 1964), nicknamed "Red" [1], was an outfielder for the Philadelphia Athletics (1919) and Detroit Tigers (1924-28).

Born in Norcross, Georgia, Wingo attended Oglethorpe University where he played for the "Stormy Petrels" -- the nickname of the Oglethorpe team. [2]

Wingo's older brother Ivey Wingo reached the Major Leagues in 1911 and became a fixture for the Cardinals and Reds in 17 seasons. Al Wingo got his first shot at the majors in 1919, where he played 15 games for the Philadelphia Athletics. Brought up at the end of the 1919 season, Wingo hit .305, but did not play another game in the Major Leagues for five years.

He was later picked up by the Detroit Tigers, playing 5 seasons in the Detroit outfield. Wingo had only two seasons, 1925 and 1926, where he played in more than 90 games.

In 1925, Wingo played in 130 games and hit .370 -5th best in the American League, trailing Detroit's other starting outfielders, Harry Heilmann (who won the batting championship with a .393 average) and Ty Cobb (who hit .378 in 1925). This was the only time in MLB history that every member of an outfield hit .370 or better. Wingo was also among the AL leaders in 1925 with a .456 on base percentage (5th in the AL), an OPS of .938 (8th best), and 104 runs scored (9th best). At the end of the season, he came in 12th in the American League Most Valuable Player voting.

Wingo's production dropped off dramatically in 1926, with a .282 batting average in 108 games. Wingo never equalled his 1925 performance, finishing his career batting .234 in 1927 and .285 in 1928. At the end of the 1927 season, the Tigers traded Wingo to San Francisco of the Pacific Coast League for Roy Johnson.

In 6 seasons, Wingo played in 493 Games, scored 224 Runs, collected 409 hits (including 115 extra base hits), 191 RBIs, and 211 bases on balls. Boosted by his 1925 season, Wingo had a career .308 batting average, with a .404 on base percentage and a .423 slugging percentage.

He died in Detroit, Michigan in 1964 at age 66.

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