Marius Russo

Marius Ugo Russo (July 19, 1914 - March 26, 2005) was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees (1939-43, 1946). Russo batted right handed and threw left handed.

Career

Russo, known as "Lefty", was born in Brooklyn, New York. He moved to Queens only in time to play baseball for Richmond Hill High School. Later, he attended Long Island University in Brooklyn.

Related Topics:
Brooklyn, New York - Queens - Long Island University

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After graduating, Russo played for the Newark Bears, International League farm team of the Yankees. In his rookie season for New York, he finished with an 8-3 record and a 2.41 ERA in 116.0 innings including two shutouts and nine complete games. A noted control ace, in 1940 Russo issued just 55 walks in 189.1 innings for a 2.61 W 9/I percentage while compiling a 14-8 mark with a 3.28 ERA and 15 complete games in 24 starts.

Related Topics:
Newark Bears - International League - Shutout - Walks - W 9/I percentage

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Russo enjoyed a career year in 1941. He compiled a 14-10 mark with three shutouts and 27 complete games in 1941. His 3.09 ERA was the best of the Yankees pitching staff and the 4th best in the American League, being surpassed only by Thornton Lee (2.37), Al Benton (2.97) and Charlie Wagner (3.07). He also led his team in strikeouts (105), games started (27), complete games (17) and innings pitched (209.2), and finished second in victories (14) behind Lefty Gomez and Red Ruffing (15 each). In the same season, he pitched a one-hit shutout and made the AL All-Star team.

Related Topics:
American League - Thornton Lee - Al Benton - Charlie Wagner - Lefty Gomez - Red Ruffing - AL All-Star

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