Reb Russell
Encyclopedia
Ewell Albert "Reb" Russell (b. Albany MS, March 12, 1889; d. Indianapolis IN, September 30, 1973) was a Major League Baseball
player for the Chicago White Sox
and the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
Russell was drafted by the White Sox as a pitcher in 1912. In his rookie season, his won-loss record was 22-16 and he led the league in games pitched, with 52. The lefty had a sterling 1.90 ERA while leading the team in innings pitched (317) and wins. Only Washington's ace Walter Johnson
topped Reb’s 8 shutouts, and Russell tied a record that still stands with five 1-0 victories in a season. In 1916, he was Chicago's opening day starter; that year he led the team in wins (18), innings (264), and shutouts (5), and led the league in fewest walks allowed per inning.
In 1917 Russell helped the White Sox win the 1917 American League
pennant, with a won-loss record of 15-5 and an ERA of 1.95.
Russell developed arm trouble in 1918 and after a poor start that season, he was released by Chicago. However, in the minor leagues the decent-hitting Russell converted to playing the outfield and returned to the major leagues in 1922 playing that position for the Pittsburgh Pirates. That year, he batted .367 with 75 RBI in 60 games. He was released by the Pirates at the end of the 1923 season, after which he returned to the minor league American Association (the highest level of minor league play in his era). He was a highly paid star in the AA through age 40, and won the league batting title (.385) when he was 38 years old.
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...
player for 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...
and 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...
.
Russell was drafted by the White Sox as a pitcher in 1912. In his rookie season, his won-loss record was 22-16 and he led the league in games pitched, with 52. The lefty had a sterling 1.90 ERA while leading the team in innings pitched (317) and wins. Only Washington's ace 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...
topped Reb’s 8 shutouts, and Russell tied a record that still stands with five 1-0 victories in a season. In 1916, he was Chicago's opening day starter; that year he led the team in wins (18), innings (264), and shutouts (5), and led the league in fewest walks allowed per inning.
In 1917 Russell helped the White Sox win the 1917 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...
pennant, with a won-loss record of 15-5 and an ERA of 1.95.
Russell developed arm trouble in 1918 and after a poor start that season, he was released by Chicago. However, in the minor leagues the decent-hitting Russell converted to playing the outfield and returned to the major leagues in 1922 playing that position for the Pittsburgh Pirates. That year, he batted .367 with 75 RBI in 60 games. He was released by the Pirates at the end of the 1923 season, after which he returned to the minor league American Association (the highest level of minor league play in his era). He was a highly paid star in the AA through age 40, and won the league batting title (.385) when he was 38 years old.
External links and references
- Biography at SABR's Baseball Biography Project