Bubba Church

Emory Nicholas (Bubba) Church (September 12, 1924 - September 17, 2001) was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1950-52), Cincinnati Reds (1952-53) and Chicago Cubs (1953-55). Church batted and threw right handed. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama.

Related Topics:
September 12 - 1924 - September 17 - 2001 - Starting pitcher - Major League Baseball - Philadelphia Phillies - Cincinnati Reds - Chicago Cubs - Birmingham, Alabama

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In a six-season career, Church posted a 36-37 record with 274 strikeouts and a 3.37 ERA in 999.2 innings pitched.

Related Topics:
Strikeout - Innings pitched

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During his rookie season, Church was playing a key role for the famed 1950 Whiz Kids Phillies in their fight for a pennant. He was an important member of a very young pitching staff, teaming with Robin Roberts, Curt Simmons, Bob Miller, and the dependable reliever Jim Konstanty. However, Church was struck in the face by by a line drive off the bat of Cincinnatti's Ted Kluszewski. The ball was hit so hard that it caromed into right field on the fly. A week later, he was out on the mound again to face the hard-hitting Dodgers, but after the game his season was over. He finished 8-6 with a ERA and two shutouts in 142 innings.

Related Topics:
1950 Whiz Kids - Robin Roberts - Curt Simmons - Bob Miller - Reliever - Jim Konstanty - Ted Kluszewski - Right field - Dodgers - Shutout

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Church enjoyed his most productive season in 1951, when he collected career-highs in victories (15), strikeouts (104), shutouts (4) and innings (246), including a one-hitter over Pittsburgh. Early in the 1952 season, he was traded to the Reds. Church was 5-9 for Cincinnati, and 7-8 for the Reds and the Chicago Cubs in 1953. Two and a half more seasons with the Cubs, pitching only occasionally because of arm problems, brought his big league career to an end in 1955.

Related Topics:
1951 - Pittsburgh

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Church died at his home in Birmingham, Alabama, at age of 77.

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