Red Ruffing
Encyclopedia
Charles Herbert "Red" Ruffing (May 3, 1905 - February 17, 1986) was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
most remembered for his time with the highly successful New York Yankees
teams of the 1930s and 1940s. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967
.
, Ruffing suffered the loss of four toes on his left foot in a freak mine accident in Coalton, Illinois
as a youth. Subsequently converted from an outfielder
to a pitcher.
, pitching without a decision over 23 innings of work. He saw regular playing time with the Sox over the next few years but had limited success, garnering a 39-96 record in five-and-a-half years with Boston. However, the Red Sox were in the midst of the darkest period in their history, and Ruffing usually got abysmal run support. His best year, in terms of earned run performance, came in , when he posted a respectable 3.89 ERA
. However, even in that year, he only had a 10-25 record.
Ruffing's career was revived by a mid-season trade in which sent him to the New York Yankees
for Cedric Durst
. This deal is now reckoned as one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history; 1930 proved to be Durst's last year in the majors. Buoyed by the offensive production of greats Babe Ruth
and Lou Gehrig
, he won 15 games after the trade despite a hefty 4.14 ERA. Ruffing eventually turned into an ace, winning 20 games or more four times in a row from to , and striking out
a league high 190 batters in . He regularly contended for the ERA crown, twice posting ERAs under 3.00, and appeared in seven World Series
, won six (1932, 1936–1939 and 1941), and posted a 7-2 career post-season record with a 2.63 ERA.
On August 13, 1932, Red Ruffing threw a complete game shutout and hit a 10th inning home run off Washington Senators pitcher Tommy Thomas
to give the New York Yankees a 1-0 victory. (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/R/Ruffing_Red.stm). Ruffing is one of only three pitchers in major league history to win a game 1-0, hit a home run in the game, and strike out ten or more batters. The others are Early Wynn
, who achieved the feat in 1957, and Yovani Gallardo
, who did it in 2009.
After missing the and seasons due to the war
, Ruffing was forty, and nearing the end of his career, upon returning in . After moving to the Chicago White Sox
in , he retired. He finished his career with 273 wins, 225 losses, 1987 strikeouts and a 3.80 ERA. Ruffing could also handle the bat fairly well compared to other pitchers, hitting 36 home run
s and batting
.269 in 1937 career at-bats.
organization. When Al Simmons
retired from his coaching position just before the 1951 season, bullpen coach Jake Flowers
was moved to the third base coaching position, and Ruffing took over Flowers's duties. From 1952-1961, Ruffing was a player personnel executive for the Indians. Ruffing would return to baseball to serve as pitching coach for the New York Mets
' inaugural season. The job also involved scouting duties, and Ruffing retired shortly after. He returned to baseball in 1969, at the request of former teammate Don Heffner
, who was managing the Denver Bears of the American Association
, serving as pitching coach.
.
A museum in Nokomis, Illinois
is dedicated to Ruffing and fellow Hall of Famers Ray Schalk
and Jim Bottomley
.
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...
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....
most remembered for his time with the highly successful 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...
teams of the 1930s and 1940s. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967
Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 1967
Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1967 followed rules in transition. The Baseball Writers Association of America held its first election in any odd-number year since 1955 and its last election with provision for a runoff in case of no winner...
.
Early life
Born in Granville, IllinoisGranville, Illinois
Granville is a village in Putnam County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,414 at the 2000 census, making it the largest community in Putnam County...
, Ruffing suffered the loss of four toes on his left foot in a freak mine accident in Coalton, Illinois
Coalton, Illinois
Coalton is a village in Montgomery County, Illinois, United States. The population was 307 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Coalton is located at ....
as a youth. Subsequently converted from 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...
to a pitcher.
Major league career
Ruffing made his major league debut in with the Boston Red SoxBoston 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"...
, pitching without a decision over 23 innings of work. He saw regular playing time with the Sox over the next few years but had limited success, garnering a 39-96 record in five-and-a-half years with Boston. However, the Red Sox were in the midst of the darkest period in their history, and Ruffing usually got abysmal run support. His best year, in terms of earned run performance, came in , when he posted a respectable 3.89 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...
. However, even in that year, he only had a 10-25 record.
Ruffing's career was revived by a mid-season trade in which sent him to 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...
for Cedric Durst
Cedric Durst
Cedric Montgomery Durst was an outfielder in Major League Baseball who played between and for the St. Louis Browns , New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox . Listed at 5' 11", 160 lb., Durst batted and threw left-handed...
. This deal is now reckoned as one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history; 1930 proved to be Durst's last year in the majors. Buoyed by the offensive production of greats 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...
and Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
, he won 15 games after the trade despite a hefty 4.14 ERA. Ruffing eventually turned into an ace, winning 20 games or more four times in a row from to , and 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....
a league high 190 batters in . He regularly contended for the ERA crown, twice posting ERAs under 3.00, and appeared in seven 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...
, won six (1932, 1936–1939 and 1941), and posted a 7-2 career post-season record with a 2.63 ERA.
On August 13, 1932, Red Ruffing threw a complete game shutout and hit a 10th inning home run off Washington Senators pitcher Tommy Thomas
Tommy Thomas (baseball)
Alphonse "Tommy" Thomas , was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1926-1937. He would play for the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Browns, and Boston Red Sox...
to give the New York Yankees a 1-0 victory. (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/R/Ruffing_Red.stm). Ruffing is one of only three pitchers in major league history to win a game 1-0, hit a home run in the game, and strike out ten or more batters. The others are Early Wynn
Early Wynn
Early Wynn Jr. , nicknamed "Gus", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox...
, who achieved the feat in 1957, and Yovani Gallardo
Yovani Gallardo
Yovani Gallardo is a Mexican-American right-handed starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was selected in the second round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft out of Trimble Technical High School in Fort Worth, Texas....
, who did it in 2009.
After missing the and seasons due to the war
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...
, Ruffing was forty, and nearing the end of his career, upon returning in . After moving to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in , he retired. He finished his career with 273 wins, 225 losses, 1987 strikeouts and a 3.80 ERA. Ruffing could also handle the bat fairly well compared to other pitchers, hitting 36 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 batting
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 :...
.269 in 1937 career at-bats.
Retirement
After retirement, Ruffing worked as a roving instructor in the Cleveland IndiansCleveland 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...
organization. When Al Simmons
Al Simmons
Aloysius Harry Simmons , born Aloisius Szymanski in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was an American baseball player. He played for two decades in the major leagues as an outfielder, and had his best years as a member of Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics during the 1930's...
retired from his coaching position just before the 1951 season, bullpen coach Jake Flowers
Jake Flowers
D'Arcy Raymond Flowers , is a former professional baseball player who played shortstop and second base from 1923-1934. He attended Washington College....
was moved to the third base coaching position, and Ruffing took over Flowers's duties. From 1952-1961, Ruffing was a player personnel executive for the Indians. Ruffing would return to baseball to serve as pitching coach for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
' inaugural season. The job also involved scouting duties, and Ruffing retired shortly after. He returned to baseball in 1969, at the request of former teammate Don Heffner
Don Heffner
Donald Henry Heffner was an American second baseman, coach and manager in Major League Baseball.Born in Rouzerville, Pennsylvania, Heffner entered baseball in 1929. After all or parts of four seasons with the then-minor league Baltimore Orioles, Heffner joined the New York Yankees for the 1934...
, who was managing the Denver Bears of the American Association
American Association
American Association may refer to one of the following professional baseball leagues:* American Association , active from 1882 to 1891* American Association , active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997...
, serving as pitching coach.
Honors
At an Old Timers Day Ceremony on July 10, , the Yankees dedicated a plaque in his memory in Monument Park at Yankee StadiumYankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
.
A museum in Nokomis, Illinois
Nokomis, Illinois
Nokomis is a city in Montgomery County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,389 at the 2000 census, and 2,230 at a 2009 estimate.-Geography:Nokomis is located at ....
is dedicated to Ruffing and fellow Hall of Famers 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...
and Jim Bottomley
Jim Bottomley
James Leroy Bottomley was born in Oglesby, Illinois and grew up in Nokomis, Illinois. Nicknamed "Sunny Jim" because of his cheerful disposition, he was a left-handed Major League Baseball player. He also served as player-manager for the St. Louis Browns in 1937.-Career:As a first baseman for the...
.
See also
- All-Time leaders in Home runs for a Pitcher
- Top 100 winning pitchers of all timeTop 100 winning pitchers of all timeThis is a list of the top 500 Major League Baseball winningest pitchers. In the sport of baseball, a win is a statistic credited to the pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when his team last took the lead...
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions
- Top 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeTop 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeIn baseball, a strikeout occurs when the batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. Strikeouts are associated with dominance on the part of the pitcher and failure on the part of the batter....
- MLB all-time leaders in home runs by pitchersMLB all-time leaders in home runs by pitchersThis is a list of the all-time leaders in home runs hit by Major League Baseball pitchers, with the pitcher being defined as a player who pitches in at least three games in the given year...
- Chicago White Sox all-time roster
External links
- The Deadball Era
- B-R-S Baseball Museum
- Historical Society of Montgomery County Illinois
- Red Ruffing at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...