He was born William Skeen Gumbert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His brother Ad Gumbert and great nephew Harry Gumbert were also Major League Baseball pitchers.
He is recognized as the first pitcher in Major League baseball history (third MLB player overall) - and the first player in the then-newly christened National League - to hit a home run in their first at-bat, which he accomplished on June 19, 1890. It would be the only home run of his career.
He also played football as a lineman for the Pittsburgh Athletic Club.

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