Near Nanticoke in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Pete Gray Wyshner

(1915-2002)

Photographed by PaulwC3, August 3, 2013

1. Pete Gray Wyshner Marker

Inscription. The only one-armed man to play major league baseball. Born and resided in Nanticoke’s Hanover section. As a child, he lost his right arm in an accident. Named Most Valuable Player of the Southern Assn. while playing for the Memphis Chicks in 1944. In 1945, he played 77 games as an outfielder for the St. Louis Browns and batted .218. His on-field exploits set an inspirational example for disabled servicemen returning from World War II.

Erected 2003 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Sports • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.

Location. 41° 11.112′ N, 75° 58.989′ W. Marker is near Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. It is at the intersection of Front Street (Pennsylvania Route 2010) and Center Street, on the right when traveling north on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nanticoke PA 18634, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region,

in the Wyoming Valley,

and in Greater Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Concrete City (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Luzerne County Community College Walk of Honor (approx. 0.9 miles away);

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Walk of Honor September 11th Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Nanticoke (approx. 1.3 miles away); Dr. Stanley J. Dudrick (approx. 1.3 miles away); John S. Fine (approx. 1.4 miles away); Coal Miners Memorial Monument (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nanticoke.

Also see . . .
1. Pete Gray: Local Legend one-armed baseball player from Nanticoke was subject of a movie. No matter how much Pete Gray tried to avoid the spotlight, it always found him. From a TV movie and a biographical book, to a birthday card from President Clinton and "Good Morning America" and David Letterman trying to have the Nanticoke native as a guest, Gray, now 83, received more notice than he wanted. (Submitted on September 17, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

2. Pete Gray, Major Leaguer With One Arm, Dies at 87 - New York Times. His achievement was viewed as an extraordinary testament to his determination and athleticism, and it resonated beyond the sports world. Gray was seen as an inspiration for thousands of veterans maimed in the war, and he visited Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington
Photographed by PaulwC3, August 3, 2013

2. Wide view of the Pete Gray Wyshner Marker
to meet with amputees. (Submitted on September 17, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

3. A teammate recalls Pete Gray | MLB.com: News. (Submitted on September 17, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,179 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 17, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.