Dick Lang
Ballplayers Wounded in Combat
| Date and Place of Birth: | December 14, 1917 Selma, CA |
| Date and Place of Death: | October 1, 2001 Ventura, CA |
| Baseball Experience: | Minor League |
| Position: | Outfield |
| Rank: | Unknown |
| Military Unit: | US Army |
| Area Served: | European Theater of Operations |
Richard W. "Dick" Lang was born on December 14, 1917, in Selma,
California. Lang, a left-handen hitting outfielder played for Long Beach
Poly High School, helping them defeat Escondido for the Southern
California (CIF) championship in 1936. He signed with the St. Louis
Cardinals that year, while his older brother, Don, signed with the
Chicago Cubs. Dick Lang played 68 games for the Huntington Redbirds of
the Class C Mid-Atlantic League, batting .234, while Don hit .301 for
the Ponca City Angels of the Class C Western Association. Dropping down
to Class D ball for 1937, Dick played 98 games for the Albuquerque
Cardinals of the Arizona-Texas League and batted .374 (second best in
the league) and led the circuit with 109 RBIs, while Don remained with
Ponca City and hit .333 with 10 home runs. Don was with the Jacksonville
Jax of the Arizona-Texas League for most of 1938, batting .311, and
receiving a 37-game trial with the Houston Buffs of the Class A1 Texas
League. Meanwhile, older brother, Don, was tearing up the Eastern
League, hitting .400 after 25 games with the Albany Senators, receiving
a call-up to the Class AA International League's Syracuse Chiefs. After
hitting .375 in 11 games with the Chiefs, Don received the call from the
Cubs, making his major league debut on July 4, against the Pirates.
Dick Lang, undoubtedly wanting to follow in his brother's footsteps, had
a strong 1939 season with the Springfield Cardinals of the Western
Association, batting .323 in 139 games, with 21 home runs and 130 RBIs
(second best in the league), while Don spent the year with the
Indianapolis Indians. Dick made the jump to the Pacific Coast League for
1940, joining the Sacramento, but broke his leg the day before opening
day. He played 46 games at the tail-end of the season batted .267.
A promising career lay ahead but military service beckoned in March
1941. Lang served in Europe and was badly wounded in action in France on
January 10, 1945.
Dick's wounds ended his career, although he made a valiant effort with
the Solons in 1946, appearing in 11 games. However, he still managed to
play baseball with the Knights of Columbus team in Ventura. "I had six
years of enjoyable baseball," he reflected.
Lang married Dorothy Becker in May 1948. He coached senior Babe Ruth
League baseball, and his son, Rick, played three years in the Phillies
organization, while another son, Bob, was an outstanding high school
pitcher at Santa Clara High.
Older brother, Don, played in the minors until 1950, with one more
season in the major leagues, playing 117 games for the St. Louis
Cardinals in 1948.
Dick Lang passed away on October 1, 2001, in Ventura, California. He was
83 years old.
Date Added February 4, 2018
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