Muddy Ruel
Encyclopedia
Herold Dominic "Muddy" Ruel (February 20, 1896 - November 13, 1963) was an American
professional
baseball
player, coach
, manager
and general manager
. He played as a catcher
in Major League Baseball
for 19 seasons with the St. Louis Browns
, New York Yankees
, Washington Senators
, Boston Red Sox
, Detroit Tigers
, and the Chicago White Sox
. Ruel was one of the top defensive catchers of his era, and is best remembered for scoring the winning run for the Washington Senators in Game 7 of the 1924 World Series
and, for being the battery
-mate of Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
, Walter Johnson
.
, Ruel began his major league career at the age of 19 with his hometown team, the St. Louis Browns, appearing in 10 games during the 1915
season. He then played in the minor leagues
for two seasons with the Memphis Chickasaws before joining the New York Yankees in . With the Yankees, Ruel shared catching duties with Truck Hannah
from 1918
to 1920
. He was the Yankees catcher on August 16, when a Carl Mays
' pitch hit Ray Chapman
on the head, resulting in Chapman's death the next day. He later defended Mays and said that he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
Ruel would be traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1921
, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Washington Senators in . In the 1923
season, he posted a career-high batting average
of .316 along with 54 runs batted in. He led American League
catchers in assists
and putout
s, and finished 11th in the American League
Most Valuable Player Award ballot. He had another solid year in 1924
, playing in 149 games and once again leading the American League catchers in assists and putouts. With Ruel calling the pitches, Walter Johnson's career was revitalized, as he led the league with 23 victories and a 2.72 earned run average
. The Senators clinched the American League pennant
, finishing the season two games ahead of the New York Yankees
.
The Senators would face John McGraw
's heavily-favored New York Giants
in the 1924 World Series
. The two teams traded wins back and forth until the series reached the seventh and deciding game. The Senators trailed the Giants 3 to 1 in the eighth inning of Game 7, when they rallied and tied the score. Ruel hit a single
, then scored the tying run during the rally, to send the game into extra innings
with the score tied at three runs apeice. In the bottom of the twelfth inning with Ruel at bat, he hit a high, foul ball
directly over home plate
. The Giants' catcher, Hank Gowdy
, dropped his protective mask to field the ball but, failing to toss the mask aside, stumbled over it and dropped the ball, thus giving Ruel another chance to bat. On the next pitch
, Ruel hit a double
and, then proceeded to score the winning run
when Earl McNeely
hit a ground ball that took a bad hop over third baseman Freddie Lindstrom
's head.
Ruel had another good season in 1925
, producing a .310 batting average along with 54 runs batted in and, for the third consecutive year, he led American League catchers in assists and putouts. The Senators would win the American League pennant for the second year in a row, however they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Pirates
in the 1925 World Series
. Ruel hit for a .299 batting average in 1926
and led the American League catchers with a .989 fielding percentage, as the Senators slipped to a fourth place finish. He had one more good season in 1927
, posting a .310 batting average and finishing second among catchers in fielding percentage, putouts, assists and baserunners caught stealing
. Ruel finished sixth in the American League Most Valuable Player Award balloting.
After the 1927 season, his offensive production began to diminish, and by 1929
, Bennie Tate
had begun to take over as the Senators' main catcher. In December 1930
, Ruel was purchased from the Senators by the Boston Red Sox
, who then traded him to the Detroit Tigers in August 1931
. With the Tigers, he served as a reserve catcher in 1932
working behind Ray Hayworth
. He returned to the St. Louis Browns in 1933
before ending his playing career with the Chicago White Sox in 1934
at the age of 38.
, accumulating 1242 hits
in 4514 at bats for a .275 career batting average along with 4 home runs, 534 runs batted in and a .365 on base percentage
. He possessed strong defensive skills, leading American League catchers in fielding percentage
three consecutive years (1926–1928), finishing with a .982 career fielding percentage. Ruel also led American League catchers three times in putouts and assists and twice in range factor
and in baserunners caught stealing. He made 23 double play
s in 1924
, the seventh highest season total for catchers in major league history. His reputation as a defensive stand out is enhanced because of the era in which he played. In the Deadball Era, catchers played a huge defensive role, given the large number of bunts and stolen base
attempts, as well as the difficulty of handling the spitball
pitchers who dominated pitching staffs. Richard Kendall of the Society for American Baseball Research
devised an unscientific study that ranked Ruel as the fifth most dominating fielding catcher in major league history.
with the Chicago White Sox from 1935
to 1945
. He then became an assistant to Commissioner of Baseball
Happy Chandler
in . He worked with Chandler for only one year before accepting his only managerial job with the St. Louis Browns, where he led the 1947
team to a dismal 59-95 record, good for the American League
cellar. Ruel then coached for the Cleveland Indians
from 1948
to 1950
, winning another world championship as a coach with the Indians in the 1948 World Series
. He was later named as the director of the Detroit Tigers' farm system
before taking on the role as the Tigers' general manager
from 1954
to 1956
.
Ruel was one of the few major leaguers to hold a law degree. He earned his degree from Washington University in St. Louis
and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
He is buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park
in Palo Alto, California.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player, coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
, manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
and general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
. He played as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
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 19 seasons with 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...
, 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...
, Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and 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"...
, 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...
, and 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...
. Ruel was one of the top defensive catchers of his era, and is best remembered for scoring the winning run for the Washington Senators in Game 7 of the 1924 World Series
1924 World Series
In the 1924 World Series, the Washington Senators beat the New York Giants in seven games. The Giants became the first team to play in four consecutive World Series, winning in 1921–1922 and losing in 1923–1924. Their long-time manager, John McGraw, made his ninth and final World Series appearance...
and, for being the battery
Battery (baseball)
In baseball, the term battery refers collectively to the pitcher and the catcher, who may also be called batterymen or batterymates of one another.- History :...
-mate of Baseball Hall of Fame 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...
, Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson
Walter Perry Johnson , nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators...
.
Major League career
Born in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Ruel began his major league career at the age of 19 with his hometown team, the St. Louis Browns, appearing in 10 games during the 1915
1915 St. Louis Browns season
The 1915 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 6th in the American League with a record of 63 wins and 91 losses.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
season. He then played in the minor leagues
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...
for two seasons with the Memphis Chickasaws before joining the New York Yankees in . With the Yankees, Ruel shared catching duties with Truck Hannah
Truck Hannah
James Harrison "Truck" Hannah was a Major League Baseball catcher. Larimore, North Dakota. Hannah played 3 seasons with the New York Yankees . He had 173 career hits in 736 at bats. He also had 5 home runs. Hannah was born in Larimore, North Dakota and died in Fountain Valley,...
from 1918
1918 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 17th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 60-63, finishing 13.5 behind the American League champion Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. Their home games were played at the Polo Grounds.- Roster :- Starters by position...
to 1920
1920 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 18th season for the Yankees in New York and their 20th overall. The team finished with a record of 95-59, just 3 games behind the American League champion Cleveland Indians. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. Home games were played at the Polo Grounds...
. He was the Yankees catcher on August 16, when a Carl Mays
Carl Mays
Carl William Mays was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1915 to 1929. Despite impressive career statistics, he is primarily remembered for throwing a beanball on August 16, 1920, that struck and killed Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians, making Chapman one of two people to die...
' pitch hit Ray Chapman
Ray Chapman
Raymond Johnson Chapman was an American baseball player, spending his entire career as a shortstop for Cleveland....
on the head, resulting in Chapman's death the next day. He later defended Mays and said that he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
Ruel would be traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1921
1921 Boston Red Sox season
The 1921 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 5th in the American League with a record of 75 wins and 79 losses.- Opening Day lineup :- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Washington Senators in . In the 1923
1923 Washington Senators season
The 1923 Washington Senators won 75 games, lost 78, and finished in fourth place in the American League. They were managed by Donie Bush and played home games at Griffith Stadium.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
season, he posted a career-high 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 .316 along with 54 runs batted in. He led 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...
catchers in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
and 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, and finished 11th in 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...
Most Valuable Player Award ballot. He had another solid year in 1924
1924 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators won 92 games, lost 62, and finished in first place in the American League. Fueled by the excitement of winning their first AL pennant, the Senators won the World Series in dramatic fashion, a 12-inning game 7 victory.-Regular season:...
, playing in 149 games and once again leading the American League catchers in assists and putouts. With Ruel calling the pitches, Walter Johnson's career was revitalized, as he led the league with 23 victories and a 2.72 earned run average
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...
. The Senators clinched the American 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...
, finishing the season two games ahead of the New York Yankees
1924 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 22nd season in New York and its 24th overall. The team finished with a record of 89-63, finishing 2 games behind the Washington Senators. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium.- Roster :- Starters by...
.
The Senators would face John McGraw
John McGraw
John McGraw may refer to:* John McGraw , , New York lumber tycoon, and one of the founding trustees of Cornell University* John McGraw , , Governor of Washington state from 1893–1897...
's heavily-favored New York Giants
1924 New York Giants season
The New York Giants season was a season in American baseball. The team finished first in the National League with a record of 93-60, winning the pennant by 1½ games over the Brooklyn Robins...
in the 1924 World Series
1924 World Series
In the 1924 World Series, the Washington Senators beat the New York Giants in seven games. The Giants became the first team to play in four consecutive World Series, winning in 1921–1922 and losing in 1923–1924. Their long-time manager, John McGraw, made his ninth and final World Series appearance...
. The two teams traded wins back and forth until the series reached the seventh and deciding game. The Senators trailed the Giants 3 to 1 in the eighth inning of Game 7, when they rallied and tied the score. Ruel hit a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
, then scored the tying run during the rally, to send the game into extra innings
Extra innings
Extra innings is the extension of a baseball or softball game in order to break a tie.Ordinarily, a baseball game consists of nine innings , each of which is divided into halves: the visiting team bats first, after which the home team takes its turn at bat...
with the score tied at three runs apeice. In the bottom of the twelfth inning with Ruel at bat, he hit a high, foul ball
Foul ball
In baseball, a foul ball is a batted ball that:* Settles on foul territory between home and first base or between home and third base, or* Bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or...
directly over home plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
. The Giants' catcher, Hank Gowdy
Hank Gowdy
Henry Morgan Gowdy was a professional baseball catcher and a first baseman who played in the major leagues for the New York Giants and the Boston Braves...
, dropped his protective mask to field the ball but, failing to toss the mask aside, stumbled over it and dropped the ball, thus giving Ruel another chance to bat. On the next pitch
Pitch (baseball)
In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. The term comes from the Knickerbocker Rules. Originally, the ball had to be literally "pitched" underhand, as with pitching horseshoes. Overhand throwing was not allowed until 1884.The biomechanics of...
, Ruel hit a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and, then proceeded to score the winning 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...
when Earl McNeely
Earl McNeely
George Earl McNeely was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. McNeely is likely most noted for driving in Muddy Ruel as the winning run in the 1924 World Series.-Teams:...
hit a ground ball that took a bad hop over third baseman Freddie Lindstrom
Freddie Lindstrom
Frederick Charles Lindstrom was a National League Baseball player with the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Dodgers from 1924 until 1936...
's head.
Ruel had another good season in 1925
1925 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators won 96 games, lost 55, and finished in first place in the American League. Fueled by the excitement of winning their second AL pennant, the Senators led 3 games to 1 the World Series before succumbing to the Pittsburgh Pirates....
, producing a .310 batting average along with 54 runs batted in and, for the third consecutive year, he led American League catchers in assists and putouts. The Senators would win the American League pennant for the second year in a row, however they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Pirates
1925 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates finished first in the National League with a record of 95-58. They defeated the Washington Senators in the World Series.The Pirates had three future Hall of Famers in their starting lineup: Max Carey, Kiki Cuyler, and Pie Traynor....
in the 1925 World Series
1925 World Series
In the 1925 World Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the defending champion Washington Senators in seven games.In a reversal of fortune on all counts from the previous 1924 World Series, when Washington's Walter Johnson had come back from two losses to win the seventh and deciding game, Johnson...
. Ruel hit for a .299 batting average in 1926
1926 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators won 81 games, lost 69, and finished in fourth place in the American League. They were managed by Bucky Harris and played home games at Griffith Stadium.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
and led the American League catchers with a .989 fielding percentage, as the Senators slipped to a fourth place finish. He had one more good season in 1927
1927 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators won 85 games, lost 69, and finished in third place in the American League. They were managed by Bucky Harris and played home games at Griffith Stadium.-Offseason:...
, posting a .310 batting average and finishing second among catchers in fielding percentage, putouts, assists and baserunners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
. Ruel finished sixth in the American League Most Valuable Player Award balloting.
After the 1927 season, his offensive production began to diminish, and by 1929
1929 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators won 71 games, lost 81, and finished in fifth place in the American League. They were managed by Walter Johnson and played home games at Griffith Stadium.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, Bennie Tate
Bennie Tate
Henry Bennett Tate was a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox , Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs ....
had begun to take over as the Senators' main catcher. In December 1930
1930 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators won 94 games, lost 60, and finished in second place in the American League. They were managed by Walter Johnson and played home games at Griffith Stadium.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, Ruel was purchased from the Senators by the Boston Red Sox
1931 Boston Red Sox season
The 1931 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 6th in the American League with a record of 62 wins and 90 losses.- Opening Day lineup :- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, who then traded him to the Detroit Tigers in August 1931
1931 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished seventh in the American League with a record of 61-93, 47 games behind the Philadelphia Athletics.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
. With the Tigers, he served as a reserve catcher in 1932
1932 Detroit Tigers season
The 1932 Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the American League with a record of 76-75, 29½ games behind the New York Yankees.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
working behind 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....
. He returned to the St. Louis Browns in 1933
1933 St. Louis Browns season
The 1933 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 55 wins and 96 losses, 43½ games behind the AL Champion Washington Senators.- Notable transactions :...
before ending his playing career with the Chicago White Sox in 1934
1934 Chicago White Sox season
The 1934 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 34th season in the major leagues, and its 35th season overall. They finished with a record 53-99, good enough for eighth and last place in the American League, 47 games behind the first place Detroit Tigers....
at the age of 38.
Career statistics
In a 19 year career, Ruel played in 1468 gamesGames 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,...
, accumulating 1242 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 4514 at bats for a .275 career batting average along with 4 home runs, 534 runs batted in and a .365 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
. He possessed strong defensive skills, leading American League catchers in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
three consecutive years (1926–1928), finishing with a .982 career fielding percentage. Ruel also led American League catchers three times in putouts and assists and twice in range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
and in baserunners caught stealing. He made 23 double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s in 1924
1924 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators won 92 games, lost 62, and finished in first place in the American League. Fueled by the excitement of winning their first AL pennant, the Senators won the World Series in dramatic fashion, a 12-inning game 7 victory.-Regular season:...
, the seventh highest season total for catchers in major league history. His reputation as a defensive stand out is enhanced because of the era in which he played. In the Deadball Era, catchers played a huge defensive role, given the large number of bunts and stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
attempts, as well as the difficulty of handling the spitball
Spitball
A spitball is an illegal baseball pitch in which the ball has been altered by the application of saliva, petroleum jelly, or some other foreign substance....
pitchers who dominated pitching staffs. Richard Kendall of the Society for American Baseball Research
Society for American Baseball Research
The Society for American Baseball Research was established in Cooperstown, New York, in August 1971 by Bob Davids of Washington, D.C. The Society's mission is to foster the research and dissemination of the history and record of baseball, while generating interest in the game...
devised an unscientific study that ranked Ruel as the fifth most dominating fielding catcher in major league history.
Post-playing career
After retiring as a player, Ruel spent a decade as a coachCoach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
with the Chicago White Sox from 1935
1935 Chicago White Sox season
The 1935 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 35th season in the major leagues, and its 36th season overall. They finished with a record 74-78, good enough for 5th place in the American League, 19.5 games behind the first place Detroit Tigers.- Offseason :...
to 1945
1945 Chicago White Sox season
The 1945 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 45th season in the major leagues, and their 46th season overall. They finished with a record 71-78, good enough for 6th place in the American League, 15 games behind the 1st place Detroit Tigers....
. He then became an assistant to Commissioner of Baseball
Commissioner of Baseball
The Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball and its associated minor leagues. Under the direction of the Commissioner, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball hires and maintains the sport's umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts...
Happy Chandler
Happy Chandler
Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler, Sr. was a politician from the US state of Kentucky. He represented the state in the U.S. Senate and served as its 44th and 49th governor. Aside from his political positions, he also served as the second Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1945 to 1951 and...
in . He worked with Chandler for only one year before accepting his only managerial job with the St. Louis Browns, where he led the 1947
1947 St. Louis Browns season
The 1947 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 59 wins and 95 losses.- Regular season :* July 17: Hank Thompson became the first black player to appear in a game for the Browns....
team to a dismal 59-95 record, good for 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...
cellar. Ruel then coached for 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...
from 1948
1948 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team won a one-game playoff against the Boston Red Sox and would then go onto win their second World Series in franchise history, its first in 28 years.-Off-season:...
to 1950
1950 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was the 50th season in franchise history. The team finished fourth in the American League with a record of 92-62, six games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
, winning another world championship as a coach with the Indians in the 1948 World Series
1948 World Series
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston...
. He was later named as the director of the Detroit Tigers' farm system
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
before taking on the role as the Tigers' general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
from 1954
1954 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the American League with a record of 68-86, 43 games behind the Cleveland Indians.- Notable transactions :...
to 1956
1956 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the American League with a record of 82-72, 15 games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
.
Ruel was one of the few major leaguers to hold a law degree. He earned his degree from Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
He is buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park
Alta Mesa Memorial Park
Alta Mesa Memorial Park is a nondenominational burial ground located in Palo Alto, California. The facility was established in 1904 It includes traditional burial plots, a mausoleum and columbarium.-Notable burials:*Tennessee Ernie Ford, musician...
in Palo Alto, California.