Rube Waddell (1946)


Date of Birth: 10/13/1876
Date of Death: 4/1/1914
Birthplace: Bradford, Pennsylvania
College: Rollins College, Volant College

Rube Waddell started his professional baseball career in August, 1897, when he signed with the Louisville Colonels of the National League. However, he pitched in just two games with them in 1897, then went to the minor leagues in 1898, and returned to the Colonels in 1899 for just 10 games.

Pittsburgh Pirates

In December, 1899, Waddell was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He led the National League in ERA in 1900. He finished the season with a 2.37 ERA, 8-13 record, and 130 strikeouts to 55 walks in 29 games.

Chicago Orphans/Cubs

Waddell had behavioral issues that led to the Pirates selling his contract to the Chicago Orphans/Cubs in May, 1901, after he pitched in just two games with Pittsburgh. He then pitched in 29 games with the Cubs.

Philadelphia Athletics

In June, 1902, Waddell joined the Philadelphia Athletics and he played in 33 games with the team. He had a stellar season, winning 24 games and losing just 7, striking out 210 batters and walking 64, and ending with a 2.05 ERA. He led the AL in strikeouts in 1902.

Waddell had his best season in 1904, when he had career highs in games played (46), complete games (39), innings pitched (383.0), and strikeouts (349 to 91 walks). He had 25 wins to 19 losses and an ERA of 1.62.

In 1905, Waddell won the American League Triple Crown for pitchers with a 1.48 ERA, 27 wins, and 287 strikeouts. The following year, he had 15 wins and 17 losses and 196 strikeouts to 92 walks in 272.2 innings in 43 games. He had an ERA of 2.21 in 1906. He had similar numbers in 1907, with 19 wins and 13 losses, 232 strikeouts to 73 walks, and a 2.15 ERA in 284.2 innings in 44 games.

St. Louis Browns

The Athletics sold Waddell's contract to the St. Louis Browns (modern day Baltimore Orioles) after the 1907 season. In his first season with the Browns, he had a 1.89 ERA in 43 games. He finished the 1908 season with 19 wins and 14 losses and 232 strikeouts to 90 walks in 285.2 innings.

Waddell pitched in 31 games in 1909, and he had a 2.37 ERA. He won 11 games and lost 14 and he struck out 141 batters and walked 57 in 220.1 innings. In 1910, he pitched in just 10 games, and he had a 3.55 ERA. The Browns released him after the season ended.

Awards and MLB Records

  • AL Triple Crown for Pitching
  • Led AL in ERA (2 times)
  • Led AL in strikeouts (6 times)

Career Statistics

Waddell played in over 25 games in each of 10 seasons (1900-1910). His statistics during that time include:

  • 4 seasons with over 20 wins, with a high of 27 in 1905
  • 6 seasons with over 200 strikeouts, with a high of 349 in 1904
  • 9 seasons with an ERA under 3.00, with a low of 1.48 in 1905

Career pitching statistics for Waddell include:

  • 407 games played
  • 2,961.1 innings pitched
  • 193-143 win-loss record
  • 2,316 strikeouts to 803 walks
  • 2.16 ERA

Post Playing Years

Waddell pitched for three years in the minor leagues after the Browns released him in 1910. His health declined after 1912, and he died in 1914, at the age of 37.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Rube Waddell
ESPN - Rube Waddell
Baseball Reference - Rube Waddell

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