Bubba Church
Encyclopedia
Emory Nicholas "Bubba" Church (September 12, 1924 - September 17, 2001) was an American
right-handed starting pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Philadelphia Phillies
(-), Cincinnati Reds
(-) and Chicago Cubs
(-). He was born in Birmingham, Alabama
.
In a six-season career, Church posted a 36-37 record with 274 strikeout
s and a 3.37 ERA in 999.2 innings pitched
.
During his rookie season, Church was playing a key role for the famed 1950 "Whiz Kids" Phillies
in their fight for a pennant. He was an important member of a very young pitching staff, teaming with Robin Roberts, Curt Simmons
, Bob Miller, and the dependable reliever
Jim Konstanty
. However, Church was struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of Cincinnati's Ted Kluszewski
. The ball was hit so hard that it caromed into right field on the fly. A week later, he was out on the mound again to face the hard-hitting Dodgers
, but after the game his season was over. He finished 8-6 with an ERA and two shutout
s in 142 innings.
Church enjoyed his most productive season in , when he collected career-highs in victories (15), strikeouts (104), shutouts (4) and innings (246), including a one-hitter over Pittsburgh
. Early in the 1952 season, he was traded to the Reds. Church was 5-9 for Cincinnati, and 7-8 for the Reds and the Chicago Cubs in . Two and a half more seasons with the Cubs, pitching only occasionally because of arm problems, brought his big league career to an end in .
Church died at his home in Birmingham, Alabama, at age of 77.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
right-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(-), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(-) and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(-). He was born in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
.
In a six-season career, Church posted a 36-37 record with 274 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 3.37 ERA in 999.2 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
.
During his rookie season, Church was playing a key role for the famed 1950 "Whiz Kids" Phillies
Whiz Kids (baseball)
The Whiz Kids was a nickname given to the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball. This team, averaging only 26.4 years of age, won the National League pennant during that season.After owner R. R. M. Carpenter, Jr...
in their fight for a pennant. He was an important member of a very young pitching staff, teaming with Robin Roberts, Curt Simmons
Curt Simmons
Curtis Thomas "Curt" Simmons is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1947–50 and 1952-67. With right-hander Robin Roberts, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Simmons was one of the twin anchors of the starting rotation of the "Whiz Kids", the Philadelphia Phillies' ...
, Bob Miller, and the dependable reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Jim Konstanty
Jim Konstanty
Casimir James "Jim" Konstanty was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball and National League Most Valuable Player of 1950. He played for the Cincinnati Reds , Boston Braves , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals...
. However, Church was struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of Cincinnati's Ted Kluszewski
Ted Kluszewski
Theodore Bernard "Big Klu" Kluszewski was a Major League first baseman from 1947 through 1961. He batted and threw left-handed.-Career:...
. The ball was hit so hard that it caromed into right field on the fly. A week later, he was out on the mound again to face the hard-hitting Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, but after the game his season was over. He finished 8-6 with an ERA and two shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s in 142 innings.
Church enjoyed his most productive season in , when he collected career-highs in victories (15), strikeouts (104), shutouts (4) and innings (246), including a one-hitter over Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. Early in the 1952 season, he was traded to the Reds. Church was 5-9 for Cincinnati, and 7-8 for the Reds and the Chicago Cubs in . Two and a half more seasons with the Cubs, pitching only occasionally because of arm problems, brought his big league career to an end in .
Church died at his home in Birmingham, Alabama, at age of 77.