About John Ganzel
Lived 1874 – 1959 (aged 84). John Ganzel was an American baseball player.
John Henry Ganzel (April 7, 1874 – January 14, 1959) was an American first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Ganzel batted and threw right-handed. He played with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs (1900), New York Giants (1902) New York Highlanders (1903–1904) and the Cincinnati Reds (1907–1908). Ganzel managed the Reds in 1908 and the Federal League's Brooklyn Tip-Tops in . He hit the first ever Yankee home run on May 11.
A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Ganzel came from a family of baseball men. His brother, Charlie, was a catcher who played with the St. Paul Saints, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Wolverines and Boston Beaneaters during 14 seasons, and his nephew Babe Ganzel was an outfielder for the Washington Senators. Two brothers and two nephews also played in the minor leagues.
In a seven-season career, Ganzel was a .251 hitter with 18 home runs and 336 runs batted in during 747 games played. As a manager, he posted a 90–99 record for a .476 winning percentage.
Following his major league career, Ganzel managed several minor league clubs. In 1938 he headed the Orlando franchise of the Florida State League and was active with the club until his retirement in 1952.
Ganzel died at the age 84 of a sudden heart attack at a friend's house in Orlando, Florida on January 14, 1959.
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Important facts
People in John Ganzel's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Ganzel's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Ganzel?
American baseball player, coach, manager
When was John Ganzel born?
John Ganzel was born on 7 April 1874 in Kalamazoo.
When did John Ganzel die?
John Ganzel died on 14 January 1959 in Orlando.
What was John Ganzel's occupation?
John Ganzel was a baseball player.
What nationality was John Ganzel?
John Ganzel was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Ganzel. https://biography.guide/john-ganzel/
MLA: "John Ganzel." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-ganzel/.
Chicago: "John Ganzel." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-ganzel/.
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