1. Early life
Allen Gettel's early life was rooted in Virginia, where he was born and raised on his family's farm, gaining practical experience that would later influence his post-baseball career.
1.1. Birth and Childhood
Allen Jones Gettel was born on September 17, 1917, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Edward and Sarah Gettel. He spent his childhood living on his family farm in Kempsville, Virginia. His father was involved in training horses, and Gettel gained valuable experience in breaking horses on the farm, which provided him with a strong connection to rural life.
1.2. Education
Gettel completed his academic background by graduating from Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
2. Baseball career
Gettel's baseball career spanned both the minor and major leagues, marked by various team affiliations, trades, and notable performances.
2.1. Minor League Career
After graduating from high school in 1936, Gettel signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees and began his professional career pitching in their farm teams within the minor leagues. He made his professional debut with the Norfolk Tars of the Class B Piedmont League. In 1937, he played for the Butler Yankees of the Class D Pennsylvania State Association, where he achieved a 7-5 win-loss record and a 3.99 earned run average (ERA) across 24 games pitched. That same year, he also made four appearances for the Bassett Furnituremakers of the Class D Bi-State League, recording a 1-1 record and a 4.09 ERA.
In 1938, Gettel pitched for the Snow Hill Billies of the Class D Coastal Plain League, where he posted a 16-7 record. The following year, 1939, he played for the Augusta Tigers of the Class B South Atlantic League, finishing with a 14-8 record and a 3.46 ERA. He then advanced to the Class AA International League, pitching for the Newark Bears in 1940 and 1941. In 1940, he had a 3-3 record and a 3.43 ERA, followed by a 12-9 record and a 2.98 ERA in 1941. In 1942, while pitching for the Kansas City Blues of the Class AA American Association, he achieved a 12-11 record and a 3.62 ERA.
After a complex trade situation in 1943, Gettel returned to play for the Norfolk Tars in 1943 and 1944. During these seasons, he continued to perform strongly, recording an 11-11 win-loss record and an impressive 1.38 ERA in 1943, followed by a 17-7 record and a 1.81 ERA in 1944. Later in his career, after his major league stints, Gettel returned to the minor leagues. In August 1949, the Washington Senators sold Gettel to the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League (PCL). For the Oaks, he posted a 4-0 win-loss record and a 3.60 ERA in 12 games, leading him to re-sign with the team for the 1950 season. In 1950, he had an outstanding 23-7 win-loss record with a 3.62 ERA and was named a PCL All-Star. In 1953, while with the Oakland Oaks, he achieved a 24-14 record and a 3.20 ERA, setting a franchise record for wins. He also led the PCL in innings pitched for three consecutive seasons. In 1956, he played for the San Diego Padres of the PCL. He attempted to try out for the Hollywood Stars of the PCL in 1957 but did not make the team. His final professional appearances were in 1959, pitching in five games for the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League.
2.2. Major League Career
Gettel made his major league debut with the New York Yankees in 1945. He pitched for the Yankees through the 1946 season, accumulating a combined 15-15 win-loss record and a 3.84 ERA over both seasons. In 1945, he allowed 11 home runs, which was the fifth-highest total in the American League.
On December 6, 1946, the Yankees traded Gettel to the Cleveland Indians along with Hal Peck and Gene Bearden. In 1947, Gettel established himself as a key pitcher in the Indians' starting rotation, achieving an 11-10 win-loss record and a 3.20 ERA. He began the 1948 season with a 0-1 record and a 17.61 ERA in five appearances for Cleveland.
On June 2, 1948, Cleveland traded Gettel and Pat Seerey to the Chicago White Sox. After the trade, he had an 8-10 win-loss record and a 4.01 ERA for Chicago. Gettel faced difficulties with the White Sox in 1949, recording a 2-5 record and a 6.43 ERA. On July 12, 1949, the Washington Senators purchased Gettel from the White Sox for the waiver price of 10.00 K USD. He finished his time with Washington with a 0-2 record and a 5.45 ERA.
After the 1950 season, the Oakland Oaks traded Gettel, Ray Noble, and Artie Wilson to the New York Giants. In 1951, he had a 1-2 record and a 4.87 ERA in 29 relief appearances and one game started for the Giants, before being sold back to Oakland on July 27, 1951.
On August 20, 1955, the St. Louis Cardinals purchased Gettel from Oakland. He concluded his major league career with the Cardinals, posting a 1-0 record and a 9.00 ERA in eight appearances for St. Louis.
2.3. Trades and Transactions
Gettel's career involved several significant trades and transactions, notably a complex situation in 1943. On January 22, 1943, the New York Yankees traded Gettel and Ed Levy along with 10.00 K USD to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Nick Etten. However, Gettel indicated he would remain on his family farm during the 1943 season, as farming was considered a reserved occupation during World War II, while Levy was reclassified as 1-A by the Selective Service System, making him eligible for the draft. Due to these circumstances, the Phillies requested that Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the Commissioner of Baseball, void the trade. The dispute was resolved on March 26, with Gettel and Levy returning to the Yankees. To complete the original trade, the Yankees then sent Tom Padden and Al Gerheauser to the Phillies.
Further trades included his transfer from the Yankees to the Cleveland Indians on December 6, 1946, in a deal that also involved Hal Peck and Gene Bearden going to the Indians, while Sherm Lollar and Ray Mack went to the Yankees. On June 2, 1948, Cleveland traded Gettel and Pat Seerey to the Chicago White Sox for Bob Kennedy. On July 12, 1949, the Washington Senators purchased Gettel from the White Sox. In August 1949, the Senators sold Gettel to the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) to compensate the Oaks for their earlier purchase of Lloyd Hittle. After the 1950 season, the Oaks traded Gettel, Ray Noble, and Artie Wilson to the New York Giants for Bill Ayers, Bert Haas, Joe Lafata, Wes Bailey, and 125.00 K USD. On July 27, 1951, the Giants sold Gettel back to Oakland. His final transaction was on August 20, 1955, when the St. Louis Cardinals purchased him from Oakland.
2.4. Career Statistics
Allen Gettel concluded his major league baseball career with a total record of 38 wins and 45 losses, and a 4.28 ERA. Throughout his minor league career, he achieved notable statistics, including a 23-7 win-loss record with a 3.62 ERA in 1950 with the Oakland Oaks, earning him a PCL All-Star selection. He also set an Oakland Oaks franchise record for wins in 1953 with a 24-14 record and a 3.20 ERA, and led the Pacific Coast League in innings pitched for three consecutive seasons.
3. Acting career
Beyond the baseball diamond, Allen Gettel embarked on a brief acting career, primarily known for his involvement in Western films and the distinctive nickname he acquired.
3.1. Nickname "Two Gun" and Film Appearances
While playing for the Oakland Oaks, Allen Gettel ventured into acting, particularly in Westerns, after undergoing a screen test with Paramount Pictures in 1953. This screen test led to him receiving the nickname "Two Gun", a persona he readily embraced. Gettel would often wear cowboy outfits complete with two revolvers to the stadium, fully embodying the character. On "Al Gettel Day" in 1953, he made a memorable entrance by riding a horse from left field to home plate dressed in full Western wear. His acting pursuits extended to signing a contract with Gene Autry to develop films, and he secured a small role in the 1957 Western film The Tin Star.
4. Later life and Post-Retirement
Following his retirement from professional baseball and his acting endeavors, Allen Gettel returned to his roots and continued working, while also making a significant admission regarding a past baseball event.
After his retirement from baseball, Gettel continued his involvement in farming, a skill he had learned in his youth. He also transitioned into a career as a construction equipment operator in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 2001, Gettel and other players from the 1951 New York Giants publicly admitted to sign stealing during their successful run to the postseason. Gettel specifically stated that "every hitter knew what was coming" and that this practice "made a big difference" for the Giants' performance.
5. Personal life
Allen Gettel was married and had three children with his wife.
6. Death
Allen Gettel died in Norfolk, Virginia, on April 8, 2005, at the age of 87.