Dale Alderson
Encyclopedia
Dale Leonard Alderson was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played from through for the Chicago Cubs
. Listed at 5' 10", 190 lb., Alderson batted and threw right-handed. He attended Upper Iowa University
.
A native of Belden, Nebraska
, Alderson was one of many major leaguers who saw his baseball career interrupted by a military stint during World War II
. He began his professional baseball career in 1942 with the Zanesville Cubs of the Middle Atlantic League
. In 1943, he pitched for the Nashville Volunteers
of the Southern Association
, and earned a late call-up to the Chicago Cubs in late September. During the 1944 midseason he was optioned back to Nashville, where he enlisted the Navy though he had twice been previously rejected because of a kidney ailment. He was sent to the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California
and remained there until being discharged in late 1945. In 1946 he returned with the Cubs but was optioned again to Nashville.
In a two-season career, Alderson posted a 0–1 record with a 6.56 ERA
in 16 appearances, including three start
s, giving up 30 runs
(four unearned) on 52 hits
and 12 walks
while striking out
11 in 35 ⅔ innings of work
.
Alderson died in Garden Grove, California
, at the age of 63.
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...
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 from through for the 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...
. Listed at 5' 10", 190 lb., Alderson batted and threw right-handed. He attended Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University
Established in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private institution of higher education with its residential campus located in northeast Iowa near the Volga River in the rural community of Fayette, where around 900 students are enrolled....
.
A native of Belden, Nebraska
Belden, Nebraska
Belden is a village in Cedar County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 131 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Belden is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
, Alderson was one of many major leaguers who saw his baseball career interrupted by a military stint 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...
. He began his professional baseball career in 1942 with the Zanesville Cubs of the Middle Atlantic League
Middle Atlantic League
The Middle Atlantic League was a lower-level circuit in American minor league baseball that played during the second quarter of the 20th century.-History:...
. In 1943, he pitched for the Nashville Volunteers
Nashville Vols
The Nashville Vols were a minor league baseball team based in Nashville, Tennessee from 1901 to 1963; the team was inactive in 1962. Known as the Nashville Baseball Club during their first seven seasons, they were officially named the Nashville Volunteers in 1908 for the state's nickname, The...
of the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
, and earned a late call-up to the Chicago Cubs in late September. During the 1944 midseason he was optioned back to Nashville, where he enlisted the Navy though he had twice been previously rejected because of a kidney ailment. He was sent to the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
and remained there until being discharged in late 1945. In 1946 he returned with the Cubs but was optioned again to Nashville.
In a two-season career, Alderson posted a 0–1 record with a 6.56 ERA
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...
in 16 appearances, including three start
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....
s, giving up 30 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(four unearned) on 52 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and 12 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
while striking out
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....
11 in 35 ⅔ innings of work
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...
.
Alderson died in Garden Grove, California
Garden Grove, California
Garden Grove is a city located in northern Orange County, California. The population was 170,883 at the 2010 census. State Route 22, also known as the Garden Grove Freeway, passes through the city running east-west. The city is known outside the Southern California area for being the home of Robert H...
, at the age of 63.