Monte M. Weaver

Monte M. “Prof” Weaver played baseball at Emory & Henry in the mid-1920s before becoming a professional pitcher for the Washington Senators. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1972 in recognition of his athletic achievements.

Weaver was one of the greatest players in E&H history and still holds multiple pitching records at the College. He holds records in single-game strike-outs (21), single season ERA (0.43), career ERA (1.09), career opponent batting average (.178), career complete games (24) and career strikeouts to walk ration (4.70 KO per walk).   Until 2000, he also held E&H records for single season strikeouts (77), career strikeouts (263) and career innings pitched (222.1). In his sophomore season, Weaver pitched against VA Tech, a team that was considered the best in Virginia at the time, in a 9-inning game that ended in a tie due to darkness. In addition to baseball, he also played basketball, ran track, was a member of the Calliopean Literary Society, and graduated in 1927 with honors.

After earning his bachelor’s from Emory & Henry, Weaver earned his master’s degree from the University of Virginia and then later became a professor of mathematics at the university. During this time he played in the minor leagues for the North Carolina Durham Bulls before joining Major League Baseball at age 25 as a pitcher for the Washington Senators.

Weaver made his first major league appearance late in the 1931 season and won his very first start against the White Sox. He was a sensation in his first full year with the team in 1932 when he won 22 games and received votes for Most Valuable Player honors. Manager Walter Johnson praised his curve ball as one of the best in the league. He was also a major contributor in the 1933 season, when Washington had a 99-53 record. That year, the Senators swept the Yankees – whose roster featured the likes of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig – for the American League title. They went on to play the New York Giants in the World Series, where Weaver pitched in game four, ultimately losing 2-1 after 10 grueling innings on the mound. Weaver ended his baseball career in 1939 with the Boston Red Sox, going 1-0 on the season.

During his major league career, Weaver faced Babe Ruth 39 times giving up only one home run and striking him out eight times. He also struck out the great Lou Gehrig multiple times. He compiled a record of 71-50 during his nine seasons in the major leagues, amassing 297 career strikeouts.

Weaver then served in the the U.S. Army Air Corps in England during World War II. After returning home, he worked in the insurance business in Washington D.C. before moving to Florida and buying orange groves. He owned and oversaw these citrus groves, turning them into a family business.

Monte Weaver died on June 14, 1994 a day shy of his 88th birthday.