Luke Appling

Lore & Background

Appling was born in High Point, North Carolina. He attended Fulton High School in Atlanta, Georgia. He later said that he had been lefthanded until high school, then became righthanded to play shortstop. He attended Oglethorpe College for two years. In 1930, he signed with the Atlanta Crackers and was purchased by the White Sox for $20,000. He interrupted his career to serve in World War II in 1944 and 1945. He died in Georgia in 1991.

In Their Own Story

The rain began to fall on the dirt infield as the ninth inning wore on. Luke stood ready in his crouch, knees bent against the damp grass. A sharp grounder skidded toward the hole between short and third. He lunged, glove snapping shut with a familiar thud that echoed through the dimming stadium lights. The crowd roared, not for a home run, but for another play made by the man who refused to quit.

Reader's Guide

Appling debuted with the White Sox in 1930. He won AL batting titles in 1936 (.388) and 1943 (.328). His seventh and final All-Star Game selection came in 1947. He retired after the 1950 season. After playing, he was a minor league manager and major league coach. His only chance to manage at the major league level was as a late-season replacement for Alvin Dark as manager of the Kansas City Athletics in 1967, resulting in a 10-30 record.

Did You Know?

• Appling's .388 batting average in 1936 was the highest by a shortstop in the 20th century.
• He earned the nickname "Old Aches and Pains" for constantly complaining about minor ailments.
• In the 1982 Cracker Jack Old Timers game, the 75-year-old Appling hit a home run off Warren Spahn.
• He was named the greatest player in White Sox history by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA in 1970.