Baseball History Comes Alive Now Ranked #2 by Feedspot Among All Internet Baseball History Websites and Blogs!
Guest Submissions from Our Readers Always Welcome!
Subscribe to my blog for automatic updates and Free Bonus Reports: “Memorable World Series Moments” and “Gary’s Handy Dandy World Series Reference Guide.”
Leon Culberson, Charlie Culberson, and the 1946 World Series Photo Gallery
Click on any image below to see photos in full size and to start Photo Gallery:
A Wonderful Baseball Family Legacy Passes From Grandfather to Grandson in the 2017 World Series
[Ed. Note: I’ve recently been advised by members of the Culberson family, including grandson Stephen Culberson and relative Philip Brown, that Charlie Culberson is not the grandson of Leon Culberson. However, both have indicated that there is a family relationship, although they’ve just not sure exactly what it is. So please keep this updated information in mind as you read this article. -Gary]
Hey all you Old-Time Baseball Photos fans out there! Here’s something that’s right up our alley from the 2017 World Series. It’s something that will warm the heart of all baseball history fans. And I know that means you…otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this page!
I’m sure many of you are aware that Dodger utility infielder Charlie Culberson filled in admirably for injured shortstop Corey Seager in the National League Championship series against the Cubs, going 5-11 (.455), with two doubles, a triple and one RBI. He’s also appeared in four World Series games thus far, going 2-4 with a home run in Game Two. So I’d say Charlie Culberson’s had a great post season.
As one of the “proprietors” of the Old-Time Baseball Photos Face book page, the name “Culberson” caught my attention during last years’ playoffs between the Dodgers and the Nationals. “Hmmm…that name rings a bell,” I said to myself. And then the ‘baseball history synapses’ in my brain started to fire all at once…and I had it! I remembered that Charlie Culberson is the grandson of Leon Culberson, who played in the 1946 World Series for the Boston Red Sox.
I wrote about the Culberson baseball family legacy last year, but it’s such a great story that I’m doing it again. Only this time, Charlie’s in the World Series like his granddad was, not just the playoffs. The Culberson baseball generational legacy has passed from grandpa Leon to grandson Charlie. As baseball history buffs, if that wonderful story doesn’t make you a bit teary-eyed, then nothing will!
In the neat featured photo below, we see Leon Culberson making a likely staged leaping catch in front of the scoreboard at Fenway Park. Click on the link to see a nice photo gallery from the 1946 World Series:
Does Enos Slaughter’s “Mad Dash” ring any bells? It happened in the thrilling 1946 World Series between the Cardinals and Red Sox. It’s one of the most exciting plays in World Series history; and Charlie’s granddad, Leon Culberson, was directly involved, although not in a particularly flattering way.
As recently as two weeks ago, I wrote about the 1946 World Series and that famous play. I won’t rehash all the details here; but briefly, Leon Culberson went in as a pinch runner for the injured Dom DiMaggio in the eighth inning of the decisive seventh game with the score tied. He stayed in the game to play center. Leon fielded the ball hit by Harry Walker that started Enos Slaughter on his famous “Mad Dash” that proved to be the winning run. Some historians have said Culberson played the ball too casually and let it fall in front of him. Others have opined that DiMaggio would have put the ball in his “hip pocket.” That’s all hard to say. Plus, it’s always easy to second guess.
Leon Culberson played six years in the majors for the Red Sox (1943-’47) and Senators (1948). He hit .266 with 131 RBIs and 14 home runs. On July 3, 1943 Culberson hit one of the 14 “natural cycles” in baseball history. It’s also one of only two “natural cycles” to include an inside-the-park home run. His son, Charles, was the 16th pick of the Giants in the 1984 draft and played five years in the Giants’ minor league system. Leon passed away on September 17, 1989 when grandson Charlie was just four months old
Leon’s grandson, Charlie, has been in the major leagues for five seasons (2012-‘17), playing for the Giants, Rockies, and now the Dodgers. Over his career, Charlie has hit .231 with six home runs and 45 RBIs. In 13 post season games, Charlie has gone 7-22 (.318) with one home run and two RBIs, including a home run in Game Two of the current World Series, one of the record eight home runs hit in that game.
Anyway…how many grandfather-grandson combinations have there ever been in baseball history? I’d guess not very many. . I think we can all agree that the Culberson family can be very proud of this wonderful baseball legacy.
Good Luck Charlie the rest of the way. You’ve warmed the hearts of all of us baseball history fans. Your granddad, Leon Culberson, were he here today, would be very proud indeed!
Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: All from Google search
Information: Excerpts edited from the 1946 World Series Wikipedia page.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Click here to view Amazon’s privacy policy
Mr. Livacari,
I hope you are doing well and enjoying the holiday season. I just stumbled on your blog about Leon and Charlie Culberson. I do appreciate you taking the time to write an article about them as I am a relative through my mother’s lineage. My mom is a Culberson.
I do want to make you aware of an error that is circulating and in fact is perpetuated by misinformation on Wikipedia. Though there is quite a legacy in baseball that involves the Culberson’s playing in the Northwest Georgia textile league in Rome, GA, where Leon played along with Rudy York, Charlie is not the grandson of Leon. In fact, Charlie’s father, Charles is not exactly sure on the relationship but we all know that we are related somehow. I have a good grasp on my familial connection with Leon and Charles and I have talked about sitting down to try and draw the connection. Nevertheless, the real connection is that, like Charlie, Charles was drafted to the the SF Giants.
Unfortunately, it has been difficult to make these familial connections since Leon’s descendants have passed and none survive that anyone is aware of. I would like to get a Leon Culberson bat made from Louisville Slugger but have been unable to get the next of kin authorization.
Anyway, though the story isn’t quite as good without the grandfather/grandson connection, it is still a cool family connection within baseball.
Phil Brown
Hi Phil- I was contacted a couple weeks ago by a grandson of Leon Culberson, Stephen Culberson, informing me of the misidentification of Charlie being the grandson of Leon. I meant to correct the three posts I have that mentioned the mistaken family relationship, but it slipped my mind. I have today put updates in all three of the posts. I also informed Bill Nowlin, who wrote the SABR biography of Leon Culberson of the problem. Thanks again for contacting me and I’m glad to do my part to help straighten things up. -Gary