Eddie Rommel
Encyclopedia
Edwin Americus Rommel was an American
right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Athletics
from 1920
to 1932
. He is considered to be the "father" of the modern knuckleball
. After retiring as a player he went on to have a successful second career as a major league umpire
.
saw him start both ends of a doubleheader for Newark; although he was knocked out by the third inning in both contests, Mack purchased his contract, noting that Rommel's curveball
was breaking on the inside rather than the outside, and that was what he liked. Rommel won twenty games twice for the Athletics, in 1922
and 1925
. Towards the end of his career, he relied mostly on the knuckleball.
In 1922, Rommel led the American League
in wins
with 27 despite playing for a team that finished seventh in the league and won only 65 games. He was the winning pitcher, in relief
, in the epic Game 4 of the 1929 World Series
in which the Athletics overcame an 8-0 deficit by scoring ten runs against the Chicago Cubs
in the seventh inning to win 10-8. Sent into the game with the Athletics down 7-0, he pitched one inning
, gave up a run
, was pinch-hit for—and wound up the winning pitcher, thanks to the "Mack Attack".
Rommel made many relief appearances during his career, leading the AL in relief wins in three different seasons. On Sunday, July 10, 1932, he pitched 17 innings in relief against the Cleveland Indians
and earned the win. Lew Krausse
had been the starter; Mack only brought two pitchers to Cleveland for the one-game series (the Athletics were in the midst of playing four home doubleheaders and this single away game in five days and, due to Pennsylvania's blue law
s, had to play each Sunday on the road). Rommel relieved Krausse after one inning and finished the game, which was a 15-15 deadlock after nine innings and ended 18-17 in favor of the Athletics in 18 innings (and in which Jimmie Foxx
hit three home runs), despite the Indians setting what remains a league record with 33 hits
. According to baseball historian Lee Allen
in The American League Story, Rommel "must have wondered what he had to do to earn his paycheck." He could have earned it more quickly had he been able to hold a 13-8 lead going into the bottom of the seventh, or had he closed out the Indians in either the 9th or 16th inning. Instead, he lost the lead in all three innings. The Indians had little better luck—a ball rolled through the first baseman's legs with two out in the ninth inning, allowing the Athletics to tie the score at 14 rather than ending the game. Rommel's 29 hits allowed remain a major league record, as do Cleveland's Johnny Burnett's nine hits. It was Rommel's final major league victory. Rommel was given his unconditional release by the Athletics at the end of the 1932 season.
Rommel was reasonably handy with the bat for a pitcher, compiling a lifetime batting average
of .199—though this was in an era where batting averages were generally higher than today. In 1931, he was called upon three times by Mack to play the outfield, where he made six putout
s without error
, and once to play second base
, where he was given no fielding chances
.
Rommel surrendered ten home run
s to Babe Ruth
, tying him for tenth place. However, fellow Athletics pitchers Rube Walberg
(17) and Howard Ehmke
(13, but nine of them were with other teams) surrendered more, and Rommel gave up the same number of Ruth home runs as teammate George Earnshaw
.
After retiring as a player, Rommel became an Athletics coach in 1933 and 1934, and then managed the Richmond Colts
of the Piedmont League
in 1935, capturing the league championship in his only season before leaving in a salary dispute. He also pitched eight games for Richmond, posting a 6-2 mark. He turned to umpiring in the New York-Penn League
in 1936 and the International League
in 1937, moving up to the American League in 1938
, and remained on the league staff through the 1959
season. He worked in the World Series
in 1943
and 1947
, serving as crew chief the first time, and becoming the third person to appear in the Series both as a player and as an umpire. He also umpired in the All-Star Game
six times: 1939
, 1943, 1946, 1950, 1954 and 1958; he called balls and strikes in the 1943, '54 and '58 contests. Rommel was the second base umpire for the one-game playoff to decide the 1948
AL pennant.
Rommel is also notably known, in 1956, for being the first umpire in Major League history to wear glasses in a regular season game.
Despite his background as a pitcher, Rommel didn't tolerate throwing at batters, decrying it as dishonest and not to fans' liking. He noted that he only threw at a batter once during his own career, on the insistence of catcher Cy Perkins
, and that the runner (Ray Schalk
) eventually scored and cost him the game.
Rommel became an aide to Maryland governor J. Millard Tawes
after retiring as an umpire. He died in Baltimore after a lengthy illness at age 72.
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...
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 spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
from 1920
1920 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Cleveland Indians over Brooklyn Robins -MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-Negro National League final standings:-East final standings:...
to 1932
1932 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: New York Yankees over Chicago Cubs *Negro League World Series: Pittsburgh Crawfords over Monroe Monarchs -Awards and honors:*MLB Most Valuable Player Award** Jimmie Foxx, Philadelphia Athletics, 1B...
. He is considered to be the "father" of the modern knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
. After retiring as a player he went on to have a successful second career as a major league umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
.
Career
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he was picked up by Philadelphia after manager Connie MackConnie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
saw him start both ends of a doubleheader for Newark; although he was knocked out by the third inning in both contests, Mack purchased his contract, noting that Rommel's curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
was breaking on the inside rather than the outside, and that was what he liked. Rommel won twenty games twice for the Athletics, in 1922
1922 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: New York Giants over New York Yankees -Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-Negro National League final standings:-East final standings:...
and 1925
1925 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over Washington Senators *Negro League World Series: Hilldale Daisies over Kansas City Monarchs -Awards and honors:*League Award** Roger Peckinpaugh, Washington Senators, SS** Rogers Hornsby, St...
. Towards the end of his career, he relied mostly on the knuckleball.
In 1922, Rommel led 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...
in wins
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...
with 27 despite playing for a team that finished seventh in the league and won only 65 games. He was the winning pitcher, in 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...
, in the epic Game 4 of the 1929 World Series
1929 World Series
In the 1929 World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics beat the Chicago Cubs in five games.The famous "Mack Attack" occurred in 1929, named for manager of the Athletics, Connie Mack, in which the Athletics overcame an eight-run deficit by scoring ten runs in the seventh inning of Game 4...
in which the Athletics overcame an 8-0 deficit by scoring ten runs against 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...
in the seventh inning to win 10-8. Sent into the game with the Athletics down 7-0, he pitched one inning
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...
, gave up a run
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...
, was pinch-hit for—and wound up the winning pitcher, thanks to the "Mack Attack".
Rommel made many relief appearances during his career, leading the AL in relief wins in three different seasons. On Sunday, July 10, 1932, he pitched 17 innings in relief against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
and earned the win. Lew Krausse
Lew Krausse Sr.
Lewis Bernard Krausse was an American pitcher and scout in Major League Baseball from Media, Pennsylvania. He pitched from 1931 through 1932, only for the Philadelphia Athletics...
had been the starter; Mack only brought two pitchers to Cleveland for the one-game series (the Athletics were in the midst of playing four home doubleheaders and this single away game in five days and, due to Pennsylvania's blue law
Blue law
A blue law is a type of law, typically found in the United States and, formerly, in Canada, designed to enforce religious standards, particularly the observance of Sunday as a day of worship or rest, and a restriction on Sunday shopping...
s, had to play each Sunday on the road). Rommel relieved Krausse after one inning and finished the game, which was a 15-15 deadlock after nine innings and ended 18-17 in favor of the Athletics in 18 innings (and in which Jimmie Foxx
Jimmie Foxx
James Emory "Jimmie" Foxx , nicknamed "Double X" and "The Beast", was a right-handed American Major League Baseball first baseman and noted power hitter....
hit three home runs), despite the Indians setting what remains a league record with 33 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....
. According to baseball historian Lee Allen
Lee Allen (baseball)
Leland Gaither "Lee" Allen was an American sportswriter and historian on the subject of baseball. He was known for an accessible writing style that made history more interesting, typically focusing on the people in the stories as much as the events. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Allen was the son...
in The American League Story, Rommel "must have wondered what he had to do to earn his paycheck." He could have earned it more quickly had he been able to hold a 13-8 lead going into the bottom of the seventh, or had he closed out the Indians in either the 9th or 16th inning. Instead, he lost the lead in all three innings. The Indians had little better luck—a ball rolled through the first baseman's legs with two out in the ninth inning, allowing the Athletics to tie the score at 14 rather than ending the game. Rommel's 29 hits allowed remain a major league record, as do Cleveland's Johnny Burnett's nine hits. It was Rommel's final major league victory. Rommel was given his unconditional release by the Athletics at the end of the 1932 season.
Rommel was reasonably handy with the bat for a pitcher, compiling a lifetime batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .199—though this was in an era where batting averages were generally higher than today. In 1931, he was called upon three times by Mack to play the outfield, where he made six putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s without error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
, and once to play second base
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, where he was given no fielding chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
.
Rommel surrendered ten home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s to Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, tying him for tenth place. However, fellow Athletics pitchers Rube Walberg
Rube Walberg
George Elvin Walberg was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the New York Giants , Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox . Walberg batted and threw left-handed...
(17) and Howard Ehmke
Howard Ehmke
Howard Jonathan Ehmke was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He is best known for being the surprise starter who won Game 1 of the 1929 World Series for the Philadelphia Athletics at the age of 35...
(13, but nine of them were with other teams) surrendered more, and Rommel gave up the same number of Ruth home runs as teammate George Earnshaw
George Earnshaw
George "Moose" Earnshaw was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played in parts of nine seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Brooklyn Dodgers, and St. Louis Cardinals. He was the American League wins leader in 1929 with the A's...
.
After retiring as a player, Rommel became an Athletics coach in 1933 and 1934, and then managed the Richmond Colts
Richmond Colts
The Richmond Colts were a minor league baseball team based in Richmond, Virginia that existed on-and-off from 1894 to 1953. They played in the Virginia League in 1894, and in another Virginia League in 1900, and another Virginia League from 1906–1914 and from 1918-1928...
of the Piedmont League
Piedmont League
The Piedmont League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1920 through 1955. The league operated principally in the Piedmont plateau region in the eastern United States.- Former :...
in 1935, capturing the league championship in his only season before leaving in a salary dispute. He also pitched eight games for Richmond, posting a 6-2 mark. He turned to umpiring in the New York-Penn League
New York-Pennsylvania League (early 20th century)
The New York-Pennsylvania League of 1923 through 1937 was an American minor league baseball circuit.The forerunner to the modern Class AA Eastern League, it was a Class B circuit through 1932 and upgraded to Class A for the final five seasons of its existence. It is actually the second of three...
in 1936 and the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
in 1937, moving up to the American League in 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...
, and remained on the league staff through the 1959
1959 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox ; Larry Sherry, MVP*All-Star Game , July 7 at Forbes Field: National League, 5-4*All-Star Game , August 3 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: American League, 5-3...
season. He worked in the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
in 1943
1943 World Series
The 1943 World Series matched the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals against the New York Yankees, in a rematch of the 1942 Series. The Yankees won the Series in five games for their tenth championship in 21 seasons. It was Yankees' manager Joe McCarthy's final Series win...
and 1947
1947 World Series
The 1947 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers, with the Yankees winning the Series in seven games for their first title since , and the eleventh championship in team history...
, serving as crew chief the first time, and becoming the third person to appear in the Series both as a player and as an umpire. He also umpired in the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
six times: 1939
1939 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1939 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 7th playing of the mid-summer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 1939 at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York City, the home...
, 1943, 1946, 1950, 1954 and 1958; he called balls and strikes in the 1943, '54 and '58 contests. Rommel was the second base umpire for the one-game playoff to decide the 1948
1948 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cleveland Indians over Boston Braves *All-Star Game, July 13 at Sportsman's Park: American League, 5-2-Other champions:*College World Series: USC*Little League World Series: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania...
AL pennant.
Rommel is also notably known, in 1956, for being the first umpire in Major League history to wear glasses in a regular season game.
Despite his background as a pitcher, Rommel didn't tolerate throwing at batters, decrying it as dishonest and not to fans' liking. He noted that he only threw at a batter once during his own career, on the insistence of catcher Cy Perkins
Cy Perkins
Ralph Foster "Cy" Perkins was an American catcher, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. Perkins batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts....
, and that the runner (Ray Schalk
Ray Schalk
Raymond William Schalk was a professional baseball player, coach, manager and scout. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox for the majority of his career. Known for his fine handling of pitchers and outstanding defensive ability, Schalk was considered the...
) eventually scored and cost him the game.
Rommel became an aide to Maryland governor J. Millard Tawes
J. Millard Tawes
John Millard Tawes , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 54th Governor of Maryland in the United States from 1959 to 1967. He remains the only Marylander to be elected to the three positions of State Treasurer, Comptroller, and Governor.-Early life and family:Tawes was born to...
after retiring as an umpire. He died in Baltimore after a lengthy illness at age 72.
Pitching highlights
- League leader
- -in wins (1922 & 1925)
- -in winning percentage (1927 & 1929)
- -in games pitched (1922 & 1923)
- Top ten
- -in saves, 6 times
- -in shutouts, 5 times
- -in earned run average, 5 times
- -in innings pitched 5, times
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions