Red Ruffing

Pitcher

Class of 1967

Red Ruffing

Pitcher

Class of 1967
Red Ruffing was the epitome of a big-game pitcher.

Games

Birth year

About Red Ruffing

“That Ruffing is a wonder,” Hall of Fame slugger Jimmie Foxx once said. “Always in there winning that important game for you.”

Indeed, Charles “Red” Ruffing was the epitome of a big-game pitcher.

A key starter for seven pennant winners with the Yankees, Ruffing won seven of his nine decisions in World Series play. In his postseason career, Ruffing posted a 2.63 ERA and helped New York win championships in 1932, 1936-39 and 1941.

During the Yankees’ four consecutive title seasons from 1936-39, Ruffing won at least 20 games each year.

Ruffing will forever be identified with the Yankees dynasty, but he started his career with the rival Red Sox in 1924. After posting a 39-96 record in seven years with the Red Sox, Boston traded him to the Yankees during the 1930 season for Cedric Durst and $50,000. In 15 seasons with the Yankees, Ruffing was 231-124.

Born in Granville, Ill., Ruffing lost four of the toes on his left foot in a mining accident as a youth. The accident hastened his transition from the outfield to the mound, but he remained dangerous with a bat in his hands. In 1932, Ruffing threw a complete game shutout and hit a 10th-inning home run to give the Yankees a 1-0 win against the Washington Senators. In 1935, he led the Yankees in both wins (16) and batting average (.339 in 109 at-bats.) He finished his career with 36 home runs and a .269 batting average.

Ruffing was the consummate competitor on the mound. He led the American League with 25 complete games in 1928, and led the circuit with five shutouts in 1939. In 1932, he paced the AL with 190 strikeouts. He worked at lest 220 innings in every season from 1928-40.

After missing the 1943 and ‘44 seasons while serving his country in World War II, Ruffing returned to the Yankees at the age of 40 in 1945 before finishing his playing career with the White Sox in 1947.

A six-time All-Star, Ruffing was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1967. He passed away on Feb. 17, 1986.

The Basics

Year inducted
1967
Birth Place
Granville, Illinois
Birth Year
1905
Died
1986, Mayfield Heights Ohio

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
New York Yankees
Primary Position
Pitcher
Played For
Boston Red Sox, 1924-1930
New York Yankees, 1930-1942
New York Yankees, 1945-1946
Chicago White Sox, 1947

Career MLB Stats

Games
624
Wins
273
Losses
225
Winning %
.548
Saves
18
Hits
4,284
Walks
1,541
Runs
2,115
Games Started
538
Innings Pitched
4,344
Completed Games
335
Shutouts
45
Earned Runs
1,833
Strikeouts
1,987
ERA
3.80
WHIP
1.341

Red Ruffing Stories

Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.

After 19 years in the big leagues, Ruffing called up for military service

Ruffing elected to Hall of Fame via rare runoff election