Born in Grafton, West Virginia, Gerkin entered professional baseball a little late in his life. As a 32-year-old rookie, Gerkin was one of many minor league ballplayers who only appeared in the major leagues during wartime. \n', '

Gerkin debuted with Class-B Lancaster Red Roses in 1943, where he had a record of 20-11, tying for the most wins in the Interstate League, helping his team clinch the league pennant and the play-off championship. He was also selected for the All-Star Team. Afterwards, he would miss the 1944 season while serving in the United States Army during World War II. After his discharge from military, he was obtained by the Athletics from Lancaster as part of a minor league working agreement late in 1944.\n', '

Although he pitched in the majors for only one year, Gerkin was the longtime holder of one of baseball’s least coveted records, as he recorded 12 losses without a single win in the season. No pitcher in MLB amassed as many losses in a winless season until Terry Felton went 0–13 for the Minnesota Twins in the 1982 season.\n', '

Return to Steve Gerkin Autograph Profile