Rube Waddell

George Edward Waddell (October 13, 1876 - April 1, 1914) was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. In his thirteen-year career he played for the Louisville Colonels (1897, 1899), Pittsburgh Pirates (1900-01) and Chicago Orphans (1901) in the National League, and the Philadelphia Athletics (1902-07) and St. Louis Browns (1908-10) in the American League. Waddell earned the nickname "Rube" because he was a big, fresh kid. The term was commonly used to refer to hayseeds or farmboys. He was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Related Topics:
October 13 - 1876 - April 1 - 1914 - American - Pitcher - Major League Baseball - Louisville Colonels - Pittsburgh Pirates - Chicago Orphans - National League - Philadelphia Athletics - St. Louis Browns - American League - Bradford, Pennsylvania

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Waddell had an excellent fastball, a sharp-breaking curve, a screwball and superb control (his strikeout-to-walk ratio was almost 3-to-1). However, he was odd and unpredictable, prompting some recent speculation that he was mentally retarded or autistic. In addition, he was an alcoholic for much of his adult life. His eccentric behavior led to constant battles with his managers and scuffles with bad tempered teammates. In his career, Waddell had a record of 193-143, 2316 strikeouts, and a 2.16 earned run average, with 50 shutouts and 261 complete games in 2961 innings pitched.

Related Topics:
Fastball - Curve - Strikeout - Earned run average - Shutout

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Waddell was immortalized in the classic baseball book, The Glory of Their Times by Lawrence Ritter.

Related Topics:
The Glory of Their Times - Lawrence Ritter

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Rube Waddell died in San Antonio, Texas at 37 years of age, apparently from illness contracted while doing flood relief work. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.

Related Topics:
San Antonio, Texas - Baseball Hall of Fame - 1946

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