Ken Gables
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Harlin Gables was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
from 1945 to 1947. The right-hander stood 5'11" and weighed 210 lb (95.3 kg).
As a rookie
in 1945, the last year of World War II
baseball, 26-year-old Gables was the youngest pitcher on the Pirate staff. He made his major league debut in relief on April 18, 1945 against the Cincinnati Reds
at Crosley Field
. He earned his first win
on May 24, also in relief, in an 11-inning home game against the Boston Braves
. Gables pitched in 29 games during his first season, 16 as a starter
, and had an 11-7 record with a 4.15 earned run average
.
Career totals for 62 games include a 13-11 record, 23 games started
, 6 complete games, 20 games finished
, and 2 saves
. He allowed 125 earned runs in 239.2 innings pitched
for an ERA
of 4.69.
Gables died in his hometown of Walnut Grove, Missouri
at the age of 40.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
from 1945 to 1947. The right-hander stood 5'11" and weighed 210 lb (95.3 kg).
As a rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
in 1945, the last year of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
baseball, 26-year-old Gables was the youngest pitcher on the Pirate staff. He made his major league debut in relief on April 18, 1945 against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
at Crosley Field
Crosley Field
Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home field of the National League's Cincinnati Reds from 1912 through June 24, 1970, and the original Cincinnati Bengals football team, members of the second and third American Football League...
. He earned his first win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
on May 24, also in relief, in an 11-inning home game against the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Gables pitched in 29 games during his first season, 16 as a starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, and had an 11-7 record with a 4.15 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
.
Career totals for 62 games include a 13-11 record, 23 games started
Games started
In baseball statistics, games started indicates the number of games that a pitcher has started for his team. A pitcher is credited with starting the game if he faces the first opposing batter...
, 6 complete games, 20 games finished
Games finished
In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...
, and 2 saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
. He allowed 125 earned runs in 239.2 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
for an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 4.69.
Gables died in his hometown of Walnut Grove, Missouri
Walnut Grove, Missouri
Walnut Grove is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 667 at the 2009 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Walnut Grove is located at ....
at the age of 40.
Trivia
- Gables gave up just 9 home runs in 239.2 innings, an outstanding average of just one per 26.2 innings pitched.
- His nickname was "Coral."
- Five other players made their major league debut the same day as Gables...Vic LombardiVic LombardiVictor Alvin Lombardi was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1945-1950 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the starting pitcher in two games of the 1947 World Series for the Dodgers.-External links:**** at Find a Grave...
, Otho NitcholasOtho NitcholasOtho James Nitcholas was a Major League Baseball pitcher who appeared in seven games, all in relief, for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945. The 36-year-old rookie right-hander stood 6'0" and weighed 190 lbs....
, Bill SalkeldBill SalkeldWilliam Franklin Salkeld was a former professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves, and Chicago White Sox.-External links:...
, Jim WilsonJim Wilson (pitcher)James Alger Wilson , was a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1945-1958. He would play for the Boston Red Sox, St...
, and Jose ZardonJosé ZardónJosé Antonio Zardón Sánchez , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Washington Senators in . The 22-year-old rookie stood 6'0" and weighed 150 pounds....
.