Jimmy Ripple
Encyclopedia
James Albert "Jimmy" Ripple (October 14, 1909 – July 16, 1959) was an American
professional baseball player who played as an outfielder
in Major League Baseball
for seven seasons from 1936 to 1943. He played for the New York Giants
(1936–1939), the Brooklyn Dodgers
(1939–1940), the Cincinnati Reds
(1940–1941), and the Philadelphia Athletics
(1943). He had a .282 career batting average
, with 28 home run
s and 251 RBIs
in 554 games played
. He played in three World Series
, two with the Giants (1936–1937), and one with the Reds in 1940, which won the championship.
In addition to his Major league playing time, he had a long 12-season minor league baseball career. He played eight seasons for the Montreal Royals
, parts of two for the Rochester Red Wings
, and the same for the Toronto Maple Leafs, all of the International League
. In 1956, he elected into the International League Hall of Fame
.
. He made his first appearance in professional baseball at the age of 19 for the class-C Jeannette
Jays of the Middle Atlantic League
for the start of the 1929 minor league baseball
season. He played in 104 games for the Jays, hitting 24 triples
, and 14 home runs, while batting .336, before being promoted to the Montreal Royals
of the Class-AA International League
for the remainder of the season. For the next six years, through the 1935 season, he remained with the Royals, playing as a starting outfielder. During that span he appeared in at least 130 games each season, hitting for a career highs with 21 home runs in 1932, and a .333 batting average in 1935.
of the National League
, and made his first appearance for the major league team on April 20, 1936. He started 74 games in center field
for the Giants and appeared in 96 games total in 1936, and had a .305 batting average, seven home runs, and 47 RBIs
. The Giants won the National League pennant
, and met the New York Yankees
of the American League
in the 1936 World Series
. Although the Yankees won the series four games to two, Ripple played in five of the six games played, starting four in center field and had a batting average of .333. In game three, he hit a home run in the fifth inning off Bump Hadley
to score the Giants only run in a 2–1 defeat.
In 1937, Ripple's playing time increased to 121 games, and his 100 starts were split between center and right field
, and with the expanded role, he established career highs in all major batting categories except for home runs, which dipped to five. At the conclusion of the 1937 season, he Giants won the National League pennant, and met the New York Yankees again in the World Series. The Yankees defeated the Giants for the second consecutive year, winning four games to one in this series. Ripple played in right field for all five games, collecting five hits in 17 at bat
s for a .294 batting average.
Ripple's playing time in 1938 increased further for the 1938 season, up to 134 games, of which most of them were in right field. Although his role was expanded, his offensive output suffered a significant drop in comparison of his first two seasons with the Giants. His batting average dipped to .261, and he surpassed just one statistical career high with 10 home runs.
on September 8 for a player to named later, which was later revealed to be Ray Hayworth
. However, this move improved his play, and he had a .330 batting average in 28 games to close out the season. For the 1940 season, the Dodgers assigned Ripple to their class-AA International League team, the Montreal Royals. His return to the Royals resulted in another successful minor league season as he had a .305 batting average in 110 games played. In August, the Dodgers promoted him to the majors for a seven game stretch, then placed him on waivers.
claimed Ripple off waivers from the Dodgers on August 28, 1940, and they made him their regular left fielder
for the remainder of the pennant run. In 32 games for the Reds that season, he batted .307, while helping the team win the 1940 National League pennant. Following the regular season, the Reds met the Detroit Tigers
in the 1940 World Series
, who they defeated in four games to three in a seven game series. In game two, he hit a 2-run home run off Schoolboy Rowe
to give the Reds a 2-run lead in their eventual 5–3 win to tie the series at one game win each.
on June 21, who then designated him to their International League team, the Rochester Red Wings
. He played in 52 games to complete the season, batted .378, hit five home runs, and had 22 RBIs. In 1942, his batting average dropped to .249 through 78 games, and he was transferred to the Toronto Maple Leafs who were unnafiliated with a major league team.
He remined with the Maple Leafs into the 1943 season, who were now affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates
, his contract was later bought by the Philadelphia Athletics
of the American League, and they promoted him to their major league club. He appeared in 32 games for the Athletics that season, batted .238, and played his last major league game on September 12, 1943. His major league career hitting totals include a .282 batting average, 28 home runs, 236 RBIs, and 510 hits
in 554 games played. His last last minor league season occurred in 1944, when he played for several class-AA teams: the Louisville Colonels of the American Association
(an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
, the San Francisco Seals and Seattle Rainiers
of the Pacific Coast League
. After 12 minor league seasons, and 1412 games, Ripple totalled 1507 hits, with 128 home runs and .301 batting average.
in 1956. He died at the age of 49 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania
of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, and is interred at Eastview Cemetery in Delmont, Pennsylvania
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball player who played as an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
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...
for seven seasons from 1936 to 1943. He played for the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1936–1939), the Brooklyn 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...
(1939–1940), the 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....
(1940–1941), and 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....
(1943). He had a .282 career 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 :...
, with 28 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 and 251 RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 554 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. He played in three 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...
, two with the Giants (1936–1937), and one with the Reds in 1940, which won the championship.
In addition to his Major league playing time, he had a long 12-season minor league baseball career. He played eight seasons for the Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
, parts of two for the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, and the same for the Toronto Maple Leafs, all of 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 1956, he elected into the International League Hall of Fame
International League Hall of Fame
The International League Hall of Fame honors the best players, managers and executives from the International League. The hall began in 1947 and ran with yearly elections until 1963. The selections for the Hall of Fame were made by the International League Baseball Writers Association...
.
Minor Leagues
James Albert Ripple was born on October 14, 1909 in Export, PennsylvaniaExport, Pennsylvania
Export is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, surrounded entirely by the Municipality of Murrysville. The population was 895 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Export is located at ....
. He made his first appearance in professional baseball at the age of 19 for the class-C Jeannette
Jeannette, Pennsylvania
Jeannette is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,788 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Jeannette is located at ....
Jays 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:...
for the start of the 1929 minor league baseball
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...
season. He played in 104 games for the Jays, hitting 24 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and 14 home runs, while batting .336, before being promoted to the Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
of the Class-AA 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...
for the remainder of the season. For the next six years, through the 1935 season, he remained with the Royals, playing as a starting outfielder. During that span he appeared in at least 130 games each season, hitting for a career highs with 21 home runs in 1932, and a .333 batting average in 1935.
New York Giants
On June 22, 1935, Ripple was sold by Montreal to the New York GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, and made his first appearance for the major league team on April 20, 1936. He started 74 games in center field
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
for the Giants and appeared in 96 games total in 1936, and had a .305 batting average, seven home runs, and 47 RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. The Giants won the National League pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
, and met the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
of 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 the 1936 World Series
1936 World Series
The 1936 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the New York Giants, with the Yankees winning in six games to earn their fifth championship....
. Although the Yankees won the series four games to two, Ripple played in five of the six games played, starting four in center field and had a batting average of .333. In game three, he hit a home run in the fifth inning off Bump Hadley
Bump Hadley
Irving Darius Hadley was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, he played the major leagues for the Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox , St...
to score the Giants only run in a 2–1 defeat.
In 1937, Ripple's playing time increased to 121 games, and his 100 starts were split between center and right field
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
, and with the expanded role, he established career highs in all major batting categories except for home runs, which dipped to five. At the conclusion of the 1937 season, he Giants won the National League pennant, and met the New York Yankees again in the World Series. The Yankees defeated the Giants for the second consecutive year, winning four games to one in this series. Ripple played in right field for all five games, collecting five hits in 17 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s for a .294 batting average.
Ripple's playing time in 1938 increased further for the 1938 season, up to 134 games, of which most of them were in right field. Although his role was expanded, his offensive output suffered a significant drop in comparison of his first two seasons with the Giants. His batting average dipped to .261, and he surpassed just one statistical career high with 10 home runs.
Brooklyn Dodgers
Ripple's play suffer more in 1939, and was batting .228 after playing in just 66 games for Giants, he was traded to the Brooklyn DodgersLos 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...
on September 8 for a player to named later, which was later revealed to be Ray Hayworth
Ray Hayworth
Raymond Hall Hayworth was a catcher in Major League Baseball. From 1926 through 1945, Hayworth played for the Detroit Tigers, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and St. Louis Browns. He batted and threw right-handed....
. However, this move improved his play, and he had a .330 batting average in 28 games to close out the season. For the 1940 season, the Dodgers assigned Ripple to their class-AA International League team, the Montreal Royals. His return to the Royals resulted in another successful minor league season as he had a .305 batting average in 110 games played. In August, the Dodgers promoted him to the majors for a seven game stretch, then placed him on waivers.
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati RedsCincinnati 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....
claimed Ripple off waivers from the Dodgers on August 28, 1940, and they made him their regular left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
for the remainder of the pennant run. In 32 games for the Reds that season, he batted .307, while helping the team win the 1940 National League pennant. Following the regular season, the Reds met the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in the 1940 World Series
1940 World Series
The 1940 World Series matched the Cincinnati Reds against the Detroit Tigers, with the Reds winning the Series in seven games for their second championship, their first since the scandal-tainted victory in...
, who they defeated in four games to three in a seven game series. In game two, he hit a 2-run home run off Schoolboy Rowe
Schoolboy Rowe
Lynnwood Thomas "Schoolboy" Rowe was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, primarily for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies...
to give the Reds a 2-run lead in their eventual 5–3 win to tie the series at one game win each.
Later career
Ripple began the 1941 season with the Reds, playing in 38 games. However, he was hitting just .216, so the Reds sold him to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on June 21, who then designated him to their International League team, the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
. He played in 52 games to complete the season, batted .378, hit five home runs, and had 22 RBIs. In 1942, his batting average dropped to .249 through 78 games, and he was transferred to the Toronto Maple Leafs who were unnafiliated with a major league team.
He remined with the Maple Leafs into the 1943 season, who were now affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates
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...
, his contract was later bought by 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....
of the American League, and they promoted him to their major league club. He appeared in 32 games for the Athletics that season, batted .238, and played his last major league game on September 12, 1943. His major league career hitting totals include a .282 batting average, 28 home runs, 236 RBIs, and 510 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....
in 554 games played. His last last minor league season occurred in 1944, when he played for several class-AA teams: the Louisville Colonels of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
(an affiliate of 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"...
, the San Francisco Seals and Seattle Rainiers
Seattle Rainiers
The Seattle Rainiers, originally named the Seattle Indians and also known as the Seattle Angels, were a minor league baseball team in Seattle, Washington, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903-06 and 1919-68...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. After 12 minor league seasons, and 1412 games, Ripple totalled 1507 hits, with 128 home runs and .301 batting average.
Post-career
For his high level of play during his minor league baseball career, he was named to the International League Hall of FameInternational League Hall of Fame
The International League Hall of Fame honors the best players, managers and executives from the International League. The hall began in 1947 and ran with yearly elections until 1963. The selections for the Hall of Fame were made by the International League Baseball Writers Association...
in 1956. He died at the age of 49 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Greensburg is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, and a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The city is named after Nathanael Greene, a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War...
of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, and is interred at Eastview Cemetery in Delmont, Pennsylvania
Delmont, Pennsylvania
Delmont is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,497 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Delmont is located at ....
.