{{Short description|American baseball player (1902–1975)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name=Julie Wera |image=1931 Zeenut Julie Wera.jpg |position=Third baseman |bats=Right |throws=Right |birth_date={{Birth date|1902|2|9}} |birth_place=Winona, Minnesota, U.S. |death_date={{death date and age|1975|12|12|1902|2|9}} |death_place=Rochester, Minnesota, U.S. |debutleague = MLB |debutdate=April 14 |debutyear=1927 |debutteam=New York Yankees |finalleague = MLB |finaldate=October 6 |finalyear=1929 |finalteam=New York Yankees |statleague = MLB |stat1label=Batting average |stat1value=.278 |stat2label=Home runs |stat2value=1 |stat3label=Runs batted in |stat3value=10 |teams= *New York Yankees ({{mlby|1927}}, {{mlby|1929}}) |highlights= *World Series champion ({{wsy|1927}}) }}
'''Julian Valentine''' "'''Julie'''" '''Wera''' (born '''Werra'''; February 9, 1902 – December 12, 1975) was an American professional baseball third baseman who played for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball during the 1927 and 1929 seasons.
==Early life == Julian Valentine Werra was born on February 9, 1902, to John and Anna Werra, who immigrated to the United States from Prussia in the Kashubian diaspora in 1893 and settled in Winona, Minnesota. He was the sixth of their nine surviving children, and dropped out of school to work in a meatpacking plant. Wera changed the spelling of his name when he began his professional career.<ref name=sabr>{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/julie-wera/|title=Julie Wera|publisher=Society for American Baseball Research|first=J.G.|last=Preston|accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
==Career== Wera began playing sandlot baseball, and joined Winona's top amateur team in 1921, when he was 19 years old.<ref name=sabr/><ref name=injury>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81004120/injury-halted-weras-career-with-yankees/|title=Injury Halted Wera's Career With Yankees|page=16|work=The Winona Daily News |via=Newspapers.com|date=November 19, 1955 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> He moved to Wausau, Wisconsin, in May 1924, to play semi-professional baseball.<ref name=sabr/> Wera made his professional baseball debut for the St. Paul Saints of the American Association in September.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82052108/wera-to-join-st-paul-aa-club-this/ |title=Wera To Join St. Paul A.A. Club This Week|page=9|work=Wausau Daily Herald |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 4, 1924 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> St. Paul optioned Wera to the Peoria Tractors of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League in 1925,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82052165/werra-batting-at-298-clip-with-the/|title=Werra Batting at .298 Clip With the Peoria Club|page=10|work=The Winona Daily News |via=Newspapers.com|date=September 2, 1925 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> and he played for the Saints in 1926.<ref name=injury/>
The New York Yankees had a working agreement with the Saints,<ref name=injury/> and they purchased Wera from the Saints for Leo Durocher, $25,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|25000|1926}}}} in current dollar terms), and two players to be named later after the 1926 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82052291/yankees-buy-julian-wera-from-saints/ |title=Yankees Buy Julian Wera From Saints|page=24|work=Star Tribune |via=Newspapers.com|date=December 21, 1926 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> He made the Yankees in 1927 as a reserve third baseman behind Joe Dugan.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/667783604/?terms=%22julian%20werra%22&match=1 |title=1 Apr 1927, 19|work=The Lima Morning Star and Republican-Gazette |via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=April 1, 1927 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> He hit his only major league home run on July 4 off of Bobby Burke of the Washington Senators.<ref name=sabr/> During a game on July 22, Wera collided with Ray Schalk of the Chicago White Sox at home plate. He injured his knee, which limited him in the remainder of his career.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81004120/injury-halted-weras-career-with-yankees/ |title=Injury Halted Wera's Career With Yankees |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=November 19, 1955 |accessdate=July 8, 2021}}</ref> Wera batted .238 in 38 games played for the 1927 Yankees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1927.shtml|title=1927 New York Yankees Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> The Yankees won the 1927 World Series, but Wera did not appear in the series.<ref name=sabr/>
The Yankees optioned Wera to the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) for the 1928 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80997300/hollywood-club-gets-wera-from-new-york-y/ |title=Hollywood Club Gets Wera From New York Yanks |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=February 4, 1928 |accessdate=July 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/02/05/archives/yanks-send-wera-to-coast-league-utility-infielder-released-under.html |title=YANKS SEND WERA TO COAST LEAGUE; Utility infielder Released Under Optional Agreement to Hollywood Club. WRITERS TO DINE TONIGHT Mayor Walker, Landis and Bernard Among Speakers at Event in the Commodore. Jahn Signs for Giants. Writers Dine Tonight|work=The New York Times |date=February 5, 1928 |accessdate=July 8, 2021}}</ref> The Yankees recalled Wera after the PCL season ended in August and traded him to St. Paul with Al Shealy and Archie Campbell for Fred Heimach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/301161585/?terms=%22julian%20wera%22%20%22st.%20paul%22&match=1 |title=5 Aug 1928, 23|work=Quad-City Times |via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=August 5, 1928 |accessdate=July 8, 2021}}</ref> The Yankees brought Wera to spring training in 1929, but optioned him to the Jersey City Skeeters of the International League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82072329/julian-wera-sent-to-jersey-city-club/ |title=Julian Wera Sent To Jersey City Club|page=32|work=Oakland Tribune |via=Newspapers.com |date=January 8, 1929 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> After the International League's 1929 season ended, the Yankees recalled Wera,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/431509765/?terms=%22julian%20wera%22&match=1 |title=9 Sep 1929, 66|work=Daily News |via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=September 9, 1929 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> and he played in five games for the Yankees in 1929.<ref name=sabr/> He batted 5-for-12 (.417) in the five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1929.shtml|title=1929 New York Yankees Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
Before the 1930 season, the Yankees sold Wera outright to Jersey City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82055715/wera-sold-to-jersey-city/ |title=Wera Sold to Jersey City|page=83|work=The Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com|date=March 16, 1930 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> After the 1930 season, the Yankees purchased Wera from Jersey City,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/11/26/archives/yanks-buy-three-players-purchase-wera-infielder-and-two-pitchers.html |title=YANKS BUY THREE PLAYERS.; Purchase Wera, Infielder, and Two Pitchers From Jersey City|work=The New York Times |date=November 26, 1930 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> so that they could send him to the San Francisco Seals of the PCL as part of the payment for Frankie Crosetti.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82055864/julian-wera-sent-to-coast-by-yanks/|title=Julian Wera Sent To Coast By Yanks|page=10|agency=Associated Press|work=The La Crosse Tribune |via=Newspapers.com|date=November 27, 1930 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> He played for the Seals into the 1933 season, when he struggled and was sold to the Oakland Oaks of the PCL.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82072387/julie-wera-sold-to-oakland-club/|title=Julie Wera Sold to Oakland Club|page=9|work=The Winona Daily News |via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=April 29, 1933 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
In January 1934, Oakland traded Wera to the Portland Beavers of the PCL for Eddie Mulligan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/380388291/?terms=%22julie%20wera%22%20portland&match=1 |title=10 Jan 1934, 31|work=The Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=January 10, 1934 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> However, he refused to report to Portland,<ref name=sabr/> and in February, Portland sold Wera to the Fort Worth Panthers of the Texas League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82055782/fort-worth-club-buys-julie-wera/ |title=Fort Worth Club Buys Julie Wera|page=12|work=The Winona Daily News |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 24, 1934 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> Wera refused to report there as well, and spent the 1934 season as a player-manager for a semi-professional team in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.<ref name=sabr/> He returned to organized baseball in 1935, signing with the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/547059894/ |title=13 Mar 1935, 11|work=The Winona Daily News |via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=March 13, 1935 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> Syracuse released him during the season, and he finished the year with the Buffalo Bisons of the International League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/48073734/?terms=%22julian%20wera%22%20buffalo&match=1 |title=21 Jun 1935|page=27|work=Reading Times |via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=June 21, 1935 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> Wera played for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League in 1936.<ref name=sabr/> Toronto released him before the 1937 season,<ref name=toronto>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/546254826/?terms=%22julie%20wera%22%20%224-f%22&match=1 |title=30 Jan 1937, 10|work=The Winona Daily News |via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=January 30, 1937 |accessdate=July 8, 2021}}</ref> and he served as player-manager of the Crookston Pirates of the Northern League that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/546261776/?terms=julian%20wera%20crookston&match=1 |title=29 Mar 1937, 10|work=The Winona Daily News |via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=March 29, 1937 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
==Later life== Wera married Dorothy Fischer, an elementary school teacher in Winona, on November 18, 1931.<ref name=sabr/> They had two sons and one daughter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82052867/death-of-julian-wera-denied-by-julian/ |title=Death of 'Julian Wera' Denied by Julian Wera|page=29|work=Democrat and Chronicle |agency=Associated Press|via=Newspapers.com |date=September 15, 1948 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
After Wera retired from baseball, he became a butcher for a Piggly Wiggly in Rochester, Minnesota.<ref name=sabr/> He was the manager of the meat department for 27 years before he retired.<ref name="newspapers1975">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82052652/ex-yankee-dead-of-heart-attack/|title=Ex-Yankee dead of heart attack|page=36|work=Democrat and Chronicle|agency=Associated Press |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 13, 1975 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
Wera died of a heart attack in his home in Rochester on December 12, 1975.<ref name="newspapers1975"/>
==Imposter== In 1948, somebody portraying himself as Wera became the business manager of the Oroville Red Sox of the Class D Far West League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81170323/julian-wera-will-manage-d-club-here/ |title=Julian Wera Will Manage D Club Here|page=8|work=Oroville Mercury Register |via=Newspapers.com |date=January 13, 1948 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> The imposter ran the team well, and they won the league's championship. He also told stories about his time with Babe Ruth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81170498/wera-recalls-one-of-babe-ruths-best-hom/ |title=Wera Recalls One of Babe Ruth's Best Homers|page=2|work=Oroville Mercury Register |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 4, 1948 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> On September 11, 1948, he died by suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills, while leaving behind a suicide note to his estranged wife. Newspapers ran the story that Wera had died from suicide at the age of 38.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81170584/julian-wera-ex-yankee-takes-his-own-li/ |title=Julian Wera, Ex-Yankee, Takes His Own Life|page=10|work=The Times Herald |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 14, 1948 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> The next day, a friend of Wera's in Rochester saw the story and alerted him,<ref name=wasnt>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81170787/the-story-of-the-julie-wera-who-wasnt/|title=The Story of The Julie Wera Who Wasn't|page=12|work=The Winona Daily News |via=Newspapers.com|date=January 21, 1964 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/679274990/?terms=julian%20wera&match=1 |title=14 Sep 1948, 8|work=Oroville Mercury Register |via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=September 14, 1948 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> and Wera announced to the press that he was still alive.<ref name=denies>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82053432/ex-yank-player-denies-death/|title=Ex-Yank Player Denies 'Death'|page=8|work=Siskiyou Daily News |via=Newspapers.com|date=September 14, 1948 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
The imposter was identified as William J. Wera through his fingerprints from his attempt to gain employment in a casino in Reno, Nevada, in July 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82056233/prints-prove-wera-identity/ |title=Prints Prove Wera Identity|page=1|work=Oroville Mercury Register |via=Newspapers.com|date=September 24, 1948 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> His widow, Ruth, said that she "was as much surprised as anyone else" when she found out that her husband was an imposter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82056332/wera-kept-wife-in-dark-about-identity-s/|title=Wera Kept Wife In Dark About Identity, She Says|page=1|work=Oroville Mercury Register |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 15, 1948 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> Though it was initially believed that Wera was a cousin,<ref name=denies/> they were not related.<ref name=wasnt/> The imposter had gone to Charlie Graham, the president of the Seals, and asked for a job. When Graham pointed out that the imposter did not look like Wera, the imposter said that he had plastic surgery to repair his face after a mine detonated near him during World War II.<ref name=phony/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80946466/ex-major-leaguer-wera-very-much-alive/ |title=Ex-Major Leaguer Wera Very Much Alive Despite Story of His Death|page=6|work=The Daily Tribune |via=Newspapers.com|date=September 25, 1948 |accessdate=July 7, 2021}}</ref> However, Wera had been classified as 4–F by the Selective Service System, ruling him ineligible for military service.<ref name=phony>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80978657/wera-faked-out-by-phony-wera/|title=Wera faked out by 'phony Wera'|first=Mark |last=Metzler |page=3C|work=The Winona Daily News |via=Newspapers.com|date=May 24, 1992 |accessdate=July 8, 2021}}</ref> Graham contacted Jerry Donovan, a former teammate of Wera's with San Francisco who was president of the Far West League, who did not question the story and found that the imposter had enough knowledge of baseball to offer him the job with Oroville.<ref name=phony/>
== References == {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==Further reading== *{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/topic/julian-weras-impostor/|title=Julian Wera's impostor|first=J.G.|last=Preston|publisher=Society for American Baseball Research}}
==External links== {{Baseballstats|br=w/weraju01|fangraphs=1013782|brm=wera--000jul}}
{{1927 New York Yankees}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wera, Julie}} Category:1902 births Category:1975 deaths Category:Major League Baseball third basemen Category:Baseball players from Minnesota Category:New York Yankees players Category:St. Paul Saints (AA) players Category:Peoria Tractors players Category:Hollywood Stars players Category:Jersey City Skeeters players Category:San Francisco Seals (baseball) players Category:Oakland Oaks (baseball) players Category:Syracuse Chiefs players Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Category:Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) players Category:Crookston Pirates players Category:American people of Kashubian descent Category:20th-century American sportsmen