At 6-foot-9, left-handed pitcher Johnny Gee was an intimidating figure on the mound. He also was the tallest man to ever play Major League Baseball in the late 1930s.

Gee, who played his college ball at Michigan, pitched for the Syracuse Chiefs. He chalked up 17 wins in 1938. The following year Gee was one of few Triple A pitchers to ever win 20 games in a single season. He ranks among the all-time leaders in Syracuse franchise history in both career wins (41) and ERA (2.90). Gee was inducted into the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame in 2001.

The Pittsburgh Pirates bought the contract of Gee in 1939. He also played for the New York Giants. Despite his size, Gee never posted a winning record in his brief big-league career.

Beside baseball, Gee briefly played basketball for the Syracuse Nationals. After retiring from baseball, Gee had a long career as a high school principal.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1933-1937: Plays baseball for the University of Michigan

1937-1939: Pitches for Syracuse Chiefs; Ranks seventh all-time in both career wins with 41 and ERA 2.90

July 31, 1939: The Pirates buy Gee from Syracuse (IL). Two wins and four loses with Pittsburgh

1939-1943: Also pitches for teams in Albany, Portland, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Atlanta

1944 -1946: Plays for the New York Giants. Won seven and lost 12

1945-1960: Principal and coach at Waterloo High School

1960-1977: Principal at Cortland High School

1980-1985: Code Enforcement officer for City of Cortland

2001: Inducted into the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame