"Bill Werber Book Published!"

By Ernie Montella

Bill Werber enjoyed a successful 13 year major league career during baseball's most trying era, (1930-1942) that began with the Nation in a depression, and ended with the World at War.

Werber began his career with the powerful and storied 1930's New York Yankees of Ruth & Gehrig fame. Later, he found himself a teammate of the 3rd member of that 1930 powerhouse dynasty when he teamed up with Jimmie Foxx in the Boston Red Sox camp. He then moved on to the most revered name of the first half of the 20th century as he joined Connie Mack's Athletics during their struggles of the mid to late 30's right into the troubled times of the 1940's.

He eventaully moved into the Senior circuit just in time to enjoy 2 World Series as a member of the fabled Cincinnatti Reds of 1939 & 1940, where he became a teammate of another future Philly A's favorite Eddie Joost. Werber finally ended his career with a brief stint with the New York Giants of 1942 under legendary manager, Mel Ott.

A quick look at the record books tells you that Werber's list of managers he played for is a virtual who's who of the era's most prominent men, Bob Shawkey, Joe McCarthy, Bucky Harris, Joe Cronin, Connie Mack, Bill McKechnie ,and finally Mel Ott.

In finishing his career with the New York Giants, Werber became part of the answer to a popular baseball trivia question, "Can you name the players who ended their careers in the same city where it began, but with another team?" In this, he is in great company as, Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Bobby Shantz, Elmer Valo, can you name any others?

Werber participated in 1295 games and sported a very respectful .271 batting average. boasting a .944 fielding average in the days before "fake"grass, and ideal playing conditions.

Today at age 92 Bill Werber resides in Charlotte, NC. His book was released this spring. The A's Society has a limited quantity of autographed copies. Call our Gift Shoppe Monday thru Saturday 9am to 3:30 pm daily at 215-323-9901.

The Bill Werber book, Memories of a Ballplayer, BIll Werber in the 1930's, with his experiences will prove to be one of the most exciting and popular books to hit the sports market in many years.