Woody Abernathy (pitcher)
Encyclopedia
Virgil Woodrow "Woody" Abernathy (February 1, 1915 – December 5, 1994) was a professional baseball
player whose career spanned six seasons, including parts of two in Major League Baseball
with the New York Giants
(1946–1947). Abernathy batted and threw left-handed
. Abernathy also played in the minor leagues
. Over his career in the minors, Abernathy played for the Class-D Salisbury Bees (1938), the Class-C Fort Smith Giants (1942), the Double-A Jersey City Giants
(1945), and the Double-A (later Triple-A) Minneapolis Millers
(1945–1948). In the majors, Abernathy went 1–1 with a 3.64 earned run average
(ERA), one save and six strikeout
s in 16 games, one start. In the minors, he went 43–68 in 133 games. After his playing career, Abernathy was a repairman in Chesnee, South Carolina
for 30 years.
. The Salisbury team, representing Salisbury, North Carolina
, were affiliated with the Boston Bees Major League Baseball
franchise. Abernathy took an absence from the professional circuit after the 1939 season. In 1942, Abernathy joined a semi-professional
team representing Woodruff, South Carolina
. Later that season he joined the Class-C Fort Smith Giants of the Western Association
. With Fort Smith, Abernathy went 16–6 in 29 games. After the season, he was tied for third in wins amongst league pitchers. Abernathy was runner-up for the league's best pitcher award that season. During the Western Association playoffs in 1942, Abernathy won two games for the Giants who won went on to win the league pennant. Abernathy again left the professional circuit, this time for two seasons. In 1945, Abernathy joined the Double-A Jersey City Giants
of the International League
, but only pitched one game before he joined the Double-A Minneapolis Millers
of the American Association
. With the Millers that season, Abernathy went 9–13 with a 4.59 earned run average
(ERA) and 80 strikeouts in 32 games, 25 starts
. Before the 1946 season, Abernathy tried out for the Class-B Spartanburg Peaches. That season, Abernathy did not play for the Peaches, instead re-joining the Millers of Minneapolis. With the Millers in 1946, Abernathy went 9–9 with a 3.44 ERA in 22 games, 19 starts.
acquired Abernathy from the Minneapolis Millers in exchange for pitchers Bob Joyce
and Rube Fischer
, and cash considerations. Abernathy made his major league debut on July 28, 1946, against the Cincinnati Reds
. In that game, Abernathy went seven innings
giving up five runs
(four earned
) while striking out
two. He got the loss in that game. On September 2, against the Boston Braves, Abernathy got his first and only major league save. Abernathy picked-up his first win
on September 5, against the Philadelphia Phillies
after pitching only of an inning. On the season, Abernathy went 1–1 with a 3.38 ERA, one save and six strikeouts in 15 games, one start. In 1947, Abernathy pitched only one game with the Giants giving-up three runs (two earned) in two innings pitched.
where he worked as a repairman Reeves Brothers Textile Plant for 30 years until his retirement. Abernathy died on December 5, 1994, survived by his wife Marry Abernathy née
Badgett, his sister Nell Ford, his stepsister Janell Peterson, his half-sister Junie Jones and his brother Wade Abernathy. Abernathy was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park.
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....
player whose career spanned six seasons, including parts of two 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...
with the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1946–1947). Abernathy batted and threw left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
. Abernathy also 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...
. Over his career in the minors, Abernathy played for the Class-D Salisbury Bees (1938), the Class-C Fort Smith Giants (1942), the Double-A Jersey City Giants
Jersey City Giants
The Jersey City Giants was the name of a high-level American minor league baseball franchise that played in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the top farm system affiliate of the New York Giants from 1937 through 1950. The Jersey City club played in the International League...
(1945), and the Double-A (later Triple-A) Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
(1945–1948). In the majors, Abernathy went 1–1 with a 3.64 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...
(ERA), one save and six strikeout
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....
s in 16 games, one start. In the minors, he went 43–68 in 133 games. After his playing career, Abernathy was a repairman in Chesnee, South Carolina
Chesnee, South Carolina
Chesnee is a city in Cherokee and Spartanburg counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 868 as of the 2010 census.-Geography:Chesnee is located at ....
for 30 years.
Early career
In 1939, Abernathy began his professional career with the Class-D Salisbury Bees of the North Carolina State LeagueNorth Carolina State League
The North Carolina State League was a "Class D" league in Minor League Baseball. The original version of the league existed from 1913-1917 as the successor to the Carolina Association...
. The Salisbury team, representing Salisbury, North Carolina
Salisbury, North Carolina
Salisbury is a city in Rowan County in North Carolina, a state of the United States of America. The population was 33,663 in the 2010 Census . It is the county seat of Rowan County...
, were affiliated with the Boston Bees 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...
franchise. Abernathy took an absence from the professional circuit after the 1939 season. In 1942, Abernathy joined a semi-professional
Semi-professional
A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an amateur, but for whom sport is not a full-time occupation, generally because the level of pay is too low to make a reasonable living based solely upon that source, thus making the athlete not a full professional...
team representing Woodruff, South Carolina
Woodruff, South Carolina
Woodruff is a city in Woodruff is a city in Woodruff is a city in [[Spartanburg County, South Carolina, located in the "Upstate" area...
. Later that season he joined the Class-C Fort Smith Giants of the Western Association
Western Association
The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887...
. With Fort Smith, Abernathy went 16–6 in 29 games. After the season, he was tied for third in wins amongst league pitchers. Abernathy was runner-up for the league's best pitcher award that season. During the Western Association playoffs in 1942, Abernathy won two games for the Giants who won went on to win the league pennant. Abernathy again left the professional circuit, this time for two seasons. In 1945, Abernathy joined the Double-A Jersey City Giants
Jersey City Giants
The Jersey City Giants was the name of a high-level American minor league baseball franchise that played in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the top farm system affiliate of the New York Giants from 1937 through 1950. The Jersey City club played in the International League...
of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
, but only pitched one game before he joined the Double-A Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
. With the Millers that season, Abernathy went 9–13 with a 4.59 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...
(ERA) and 80 strikeouts in 32 games, 25 starts
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....
. Before the 1946 season, Abernathy tried out for the Class-B Spartanburg Peaches. That season, Abernathy did not play for the Peaches, instead re-joining the Millers of Minneapolis. With the Millers in 1946, Abernathy went 9–9 with a 3.44 ERA in 22 games, 19 starts.
New York Giants
On July 25, 1946, the New York GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
acquired Abernathy from the Minneapolis Millers in exchange for pitchers Bob Joyce
Bob Joyce (baseball)
Robert Emmett "Bob" Joyce was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1939 and the New York Giants in 1946.-References:...
and Rube Fischer
Rube Fischer
Reuben Walter Fischer was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the New York Giants.-External links:...
, and cash considerations. Abernathy made his major league debut on July 28, 1946, against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. In that game, Abernathy went seven innings
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
giving up five runs
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...
(four earned
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
) while 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....
two. He got the loss in that game. On September 2, against the Boston Braves, Abernathy got his first and only major league save. Abernathy picked-up his first win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
on September 5, against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
after pitching only of an inning. On the season, Abernathy went 1–1 with a 3.38 ERA, one save and six strikeouts in 15 games, one start. In 1947, Abernathy pitched only one game with the Giants giving-up three runs (two earned) in two innings pitched.
Later career
After completing his tenure with the New York Giants, Abernathy re-joined the Minneapolis Millers. During the 1946 season, Abernathy went 9–10 with a 5.19 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 27 games, 17 starts. During the off-season, Abernathy was plagued with a stomach injury that he cured himself of before the 1948 season. In 1948, Abernathy only pitched two games and stuck out one in one inning pitched.Later life
Abernathy resided in Chesnee, South CarolinaChesnee, South Carolina
Chesnee is a city in Cherokee and Spartanburg counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 868 as of the 2010 census.-Geography:Chesnee is located at ....
where he worked as a repairman Reeves Brothers Textile Plant for 30 years until his retirement. Abernathy died on December 5, 1994, survived by his wife Marry Abernathy née
NEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
Badgett, his sister Nell Ford, his stepsister Janell Peterson, his half-sister Junie Jones and his brother Wade Abernathy. Abernathy was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park.