Rusty Peters
Encyclopedia
Russ Peters played in 10 seasons in the Major League Baseball
with the Philadelphia Athletics (1936–1938), Cleveland Indians
(1940–44, 1946), and the St. Louis Browns
(1947). Peters, who wore glasses, hit just .236 in his career and only hit above .300 once—in 47 at-bats in 1947. However, he played every infield position and found work as a utility player. In 1937, he had 339 at-bats for the Philadelphia Athletics (his career high) and hit 3 home runs, drove in 43 runs and stole 4 bases. An infielder with the Atlanta Crackers in 1938 and 1939, and Rookie of the Year his first year, he was said to be "not only. . . . a fine mechanical ball player, but he is a fireball in that infield" (Morgan Blake. The Atlanta Constitution.) The Cleveland Indians purchased his contract from Atlanta in order to bring him on as backup to its already fine infield. Consequently, he did not play on a regular basis, but even after four years as a "2nd-stringer," when he did play, he played well. Sports writer Gorden Cobbledick declared that "evidence has been accumulating in the last few weeks that, all unsuspecting, we have been harboring in our midst one of the most remarkable athletes in the county." Writing about a possible trade of Russ to the Browns, Ed McAuley stated that "it is about time Peters received some recognition as a genuinely valuable member of the team. . . . he has been ready and efficient whenever he has been called on--and he has done well at every position in the infield." His career was interrupted by WWII. After the defeat of Japan, he served in the Army of Occupation in Germany and organized baseball teams for intramural games among the troops (The Unicorn Free Press). Toward the end of his career with the Indianapolis Indians (1949–1951), he managed winter baseball teams in Puerto Rico and Panama. In 1993, Russ was recognized as "one of the first fence-busters of Virginia," and he was inducted into the Roanoke-Salem Baseball Hall of Fame.
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...
with the Philadelphia Athletics (1936–1938), 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...
(1940–44, 1946), and the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1947). Peters, who wore glasses, hit just .236 in his career and only hit above .300 once—in 47 at-bats in 1947. However, he played every infield position and found work as a utility player. In 1937, he had 339 at-bats for the Philadelphia Athletics (his career high) and hit 3 home runs, drove in 43 runs and stole 4 bases. An infielder with the Atlanta Crackers in 1938 and 1939, and Rookie of the Year his first year, he was said to be "not only. . . . a fine mechanical ball player, but he is a fireball in that infield" (Morgan Blake. The Atlanta Constitution.) The Cleveland Indians purchased his contract from Atlanta in order to bring him on as backup to its already fine infield. Consequently, he did not play on a regular basis, but even after four years as a "2nd-stringer," when he did play, he played well. Sports writer Gorden Cobbledick declared that "evidence has been accumulating in the last few weeks that, all unsuspecting, we have been harboring in our midst one of the most remarkable athletes in the county." Writing about a possible trade of Russ to the Browns, Ed McAuley stated that "it is about time Peters received some recognition as a genuinely valuable member of the team. . . . he has been ready and efficient whenever he has been called on--and he has done well at every position in the infield." His career was interrupted by WWII. After the defeat of Japan, he served in the Army of Occupation in Germany and organized baseball teams for intramural games among the troops (The Unicorn Free Press). Toward the end of his career with the Indianapolis Indians (1949–1951), he managed winter baseball teams in Puerto Rico and Panama. In 1993, Russ was recognized as "one of the first fence-busters of Virginia," and he was inducted into the Roanoke-Salem Baseball Hall of Fame.