Charlie Wagner
Encyclopedia
Charles Thomas Wagner was an American
right-handed pitcher
and coach
in Major League Baseball
who played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox
(1938–1942, 1946). Nicknamed "Broadway," he went on to a 50-year career as a scout and minor league
instructor. His professional relationship with the Red Sox lasted a record 73 years.
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania
, Wagner debuted with the Boston Red Sox on April 19, 1938
. After being used in both starting
and relief
duties, he enjoyed his first full season as a starter in 1941
. He was the second in a pitching rotation that included Dick Newsome
, Mickey Harris
and Lefty Grove
. Wagner finished with a 12-8 record and three shutout
s, and his 3.07 earned run average
was the best on the Boston pitching staff and the third best in the American League
, being surpassed only by Thornton Lee
(2.37) and Al Benton
(2.97), and over Marius Russo
(3.09).
In 1942
, Wagner compiled career-highs in victories
(14, eight in AL), starts (26), complete game
s (17, seventh in AL), strikeout
s (52), innings pitched
(205.1), and had a 3.29 ERA. After the season, he left his team to serve in the Navy
during World War II
. Wagner returned to the Red Sox in 1946
, along with teammates Ted Williams
, Dom DiMaggio
, Bobby Doerr
, Johnny Pesky
, Tex Hughson
and Joe Dobson
. He pitched his final game on August 8, 1946, ending with a 1-0 mark in 30.2 season-innings.
In a six-season career, Wagner posted a 32-23 record with 157 strikeouts and a 3.91 ERA in 527.2 innings.
Following his retirement as a player, Wagner became the Red Sox' assistant director of minor league operations
from 1947 through 1960. He then scouted
for Boston from 1961–69 and from 1971-92. He was the Red Sox' major league pitching coach
for the 1970
season. He later worked as a special assignment instructor in the Red Sox minor league system, and was still consulted about the organization prospects into his 90s. He was a staple for years at Reading Phillies
games in his hometown, where the press box was named in his honor in 2000. He was crowned as the inaugural "King of Baseballtown" by Reading club in 2003 as he entered the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.
Wagner died in 2006 at age 93 after suffering a heart attack
in his car following a Reading Phillies game.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
and coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
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 his entire career for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1938–1942, 1946). Nicknamed "Broadway," he went on to a 50-year career as a scout and minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
instructor. His professional relationship with the Red Sox lasted a record 73 years.
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
, Wagner debuted with the Boston Red Sox on April 19, 1938
1938 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Chicago Cubs *All-Star Game, July 6 at Crosley Field: National League, 4-1-Awards and honors:*Most Valuable Player**Jimmie Foxx, Boston Red Sox, 1B...
. After being used in both starting
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....
and relief
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...
duties, he enjoyed his first full season as a starter in 1941
1941 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:*Joe Dimaggio hits in 56 consecutive games. After being hitless in the 57th game, he hit safely in 16 more consecutive games for a streak of 72 of 73 games.*Ted Williams ended the season with a .406 batting average...
. He was the second in a pitching rotation that included Dick Newsome
Dick Newsome
Heber Hampton Newsome was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox between the and seasons. Listed at 6' 0", 185 lb., Newsome batted and threw right-handed...
, Mickey Harris
Mickey Harris
Maurice Charles "Mickey" Harris was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians . Harris was born in New York, NY...
and Lefty Grove
Lefty Grove
Robert Moses "Lefty" Grove was a professional baseball pitcher. After having success in the minor leagues during the early 1920s, Grove became a star in Major League Baseball with the American League's Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox, winning 300 games in his 17-year MLB career...
. Wagner finished with a 12-8 record and three 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, and his 3.07 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
was the best on the Boston pitching staff and the third best in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, being surpassed only by Thornton Lee
Thornton Lee
Thornton Starr Lee , also nicknamed "Lefty", was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Chicago White Sox and New York Giants . Lee batted and threw left-handed. He is the father of pitcher Don Lee, a former big leaguer.-Career:Lee was born in Sonoma,...
(2.37) and Al Benton
Al Benton
John Alton Benton was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played with the Philadelphia Athletics , Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox ....
(2.97), and over Marius Russo
Marius Russo
Marius Ugo Russo was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees . Russo batted right-handed and threw left-handed.-Profile:...
(3.09).
In 1942
1942 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees *All-Star Game, July 6 at Polo Grounds: American League, 3-1-Other champions:*Negro Leagues World Series: Kansas City Monarchs over Homestead Grays...
, Wagner compiled career-highs in victories
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
(14, eight in AL), starts (26), complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s (17, seventh in AL), 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 (52), 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...
(205.1), and had a 3.29 ERA. After the season, he left his team to serve in the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Wagner returned to the Red Sox in 1946
1946 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over Boston Red Sox *All-Star Game, July 9 at Fenway Park: American League, 12–0-Other champions:*Negro League World Series: Newark Eagles over Kansas City Monarchs...
, along with teammates Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
, Dom DiMaggio
Dom DiMaggio
Dominic Paul DiMaggio , nicknamed "The Little Professor", was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 11-year baseball career for the Boston Red Sox...
, Bobby Doerr
Bobby Doerr
Robert Pershing Doerr is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and coach. He played his entire 14-year baseball career for the Boston Red Sox . He led American League second basemen in double plays five times, tying a league record, in putouts and fielding percentage four times each, and...
, Johnny Pesky
Johnny Pesky
John Michael Pesky , nicknamed "The Needle" and "Mr. Red Sox", was a Major League Baseball shortstop, third baseman, and manager. During a 10-year career, he played in 1942 and from 1946-1954 for three different teams. He missed all of the 1943, 1944, and 1945 seasons while serving in World War...
, Tex Hughson
Tex Hughson
Cecil Carlton Hughson, , was a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played his entire career in the American League with the Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed....
and Joe Dobson
Joe Dobson
Joseph Gordon Dobson , nicknamed "Burrhead," was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played with the Cleveland Indians , Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox ....
. He pitched his final game on August 8, 1946, ending with a 1-0 mark in 30.2 season-innings.
In a six-season career, Wagner posted a 32-23 record with 157 strikeouts and a 3.91 ERA in 527.2 innings.
Following his retirement as a player, Wagner became the Red Sox' assistant director of minor league operations
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
from 1947 through 1960. He then scouted
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
for Boston from 1961–69 and from 1971-92. He was the Red Sox' major league pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for the 1970
1970 in baseball
-Major Leagues:*World Series MVP: Brooks Robinson*All-Star Game, July 14 at Riverfront Stadium: National League, 5-4 ; Carl Yastrzemski, MVP-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Navegantes del Magallanes *College World Series: USC...
season. He later worked as a special assignment instructor in the Red Sox minor league system, and was still consulted about the organization prospects into his 90s. He was a staple for years at Reading Phillies
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
games in his hometown, where the press box was named in his honor in 2000. He was crowned as the inaugural "King of Baseballtown" by Reading club in 2003 as he entered the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.
Wagner died in 2006 at age 93 after suffering a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in his car following a Reading Phillies game.