Rube Walberg

George Elvin Walberg

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1½", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut April 29, 1923
• Final Game October 2, 1937
• Born July 27, 1896 in Pine City, MN USA
• Died October 27, 1978 in Tempe, AZ USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Rube Walberg, who won 155 major league games, was a star in the years 1929-1931 when the Philadelphia Athletics won the pennant each year. He had a 1.93 ERA in 14 World Series innings pitched.

He also had 32 saves in his major league career.

Over 10% of Walberg's 163 home runs were given up to Babe Ruth (17). Ruth had more home runs against the left-handed Walberg than against any other pitcher. Included in the 17 are 4 homers in his 60-HR season. Milt Gaston also gave up 4 HRs to Ruth in 1927, and no one gave up more.

He was with the Portland Beavers prior to becoming a major league regular. Walberg had grown up on a farm, left school after eighth grade to do farm work, and pitched independent ball in 1921. After baseball, he ran a restaurant in Miami, FL before retiring in Arizona.

Notable Achievements

• AL Innings Pitched Leader (1931)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 5 (1927-1929, 1931 & 1932)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1931)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 7 (1927-1933)
• Won two World Series with the Philadelphia Athletics (1929 & 1930)

Sources

Newspaper article on Walberg

Related Sites

• Rube Walberg at the SABR Bio Project