Nov. 30, 2004

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The No. 20, worn by Lafayette's all-time winningest coach, Charlie Gelbert, has been retired by the Lafayette baseball program.

Gelbert coached the Leopards from 1946 until his death in 1967. He racked up a 307-172 career record and guided five teams (1948, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1965) to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

In his playing days, Gelbert was a member of the famed "Gashouse Gang" of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1920's. For decades, the Scranton, Pa. native held the record of 76 chances without an error while playing shortstop for the Cardinals. Gelbert was a career .267 hitter in nine major league seasons, playing six full seasons with the Cardinals, while also spending time in Cincinnati, Detroit, Washington and Boston in his final three years. Perhaps his best season came in 1930 when hit .304 for the Cardinals in 139 games while driving in 72 runs.

On Sept. 18, the entire Lafayette baseball family welcomed the retiring of No. 20 at the Annual Lafayette Baseball Alumni Day. Unfortunately, the effects of Hurricane Ivan on the Easton area prevented many from attending the event, so on Nov. 13 Lafayette Director of Athletics Bruce McCutcheon and head baseball coach Joe Kinney re-presented the framed jersey No. 20 to Gelbert's daughter, Pat Gelbert-Vohs at halftime of the Lafayette-Holy Cross football game.