Russ Christopher
Encyclopedia
Russell Ormand Christopher (September 12, 1917 - December 5, 1954) was an American
right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for seven seasons in the American League
with the Philadelphia Athletics
and Cleveland Indians
. In 241 career games, Christopher pitched 999⅔ innings
and posted a win-loss record of 54–64, with 46 complete game
s, three shutout
s, and a 3.37 earned run average
(ERA).
A 6'3, 180 lb. player from Richmond, California
, he played minor league baseball in the New York Yankees
organization before being acquired by the Athletics in the rule 5 draft
. Christopher joined the Athletics' major league roster in 1942 and played six seasons for them, and made his only All-Star appearance
in 1945. He was traded to the Indians before the 1948 season, and played one year of baseball with them. After the season ended, he retired due to health concerns and worked at an aircraft plant until his death in 1954.
. His brother, Loyd Christopher
, went on to become a major league outfielder
. Loyd was the one first interested in becoming a professional baseball player, but would not sign a contract unless Russ signed one as well. As a child, Christopher had a case of rheumatic fever
, which damaged his heart.
He had his first taste of professional baseball in 1938, when he signed with the Clovis Pioneers
of the West Texas-New Mexico League
. He pitched in 13 games for the pioneers, posting a 7–5 record, 106 innings pitched and a 4.50 ERA. The following year, Christopher joined the El Paso Texans, the rookie-level minor league team of the New York Yankees
farm system. In 32 games with the Texans, he posted an 18–7 record, pitched 225 innings and had an ERA of 3.68. He was promoted in 1940 to the Wenatchee Chiefs
of the Western International League
, where he finished the year with an 8-8 record and a 4.72 ERA in 20 games. At the end of the season, he was promoted to the Newark Bears of the International League
along with seven other minor league players.
In his lone season with the Bears, Christopher pitched in 31 games. Among those games was a four-hit shutout
against the Rochester Red Wings
in the International League playoffs to put the Beard up two games to none. In the championship series against the Montreal Royals
, Christopher pitched seven solid innings in a victory for the Bears, but injured his back and did not play another game that season. He finished the season with a 16–7 record, a 2.82 ERA and 12 complete games. At the conclusion of the season, Christopher was considered the top prospect in the rule 5 draft
, and the Philadelphia Athletics selected him with the first pick of the draft.
, manager Connie Mack
placed Christopher on the major league roster, and he made his debut on April 14, 1942. On May 5, Christopher made his first appearance as a starting pitcher
against the Detroit Tigers
. The Athletics won the game, 2–1, and he got his first major league win. After another win five days later, he began a long losing streak. Many of the games he did pitch were in relief, including a game in June against the Cleveland Indians
where he only allowed one hit
in three innings. He got his third win of the season three months after his second on August 20 in a 2–1 victory over the Washington Nationals
. He finished the season with a 4–13 record, a 3.82 ERA, 30 total games, 58 strikeouts and 99 walks
. The following season, Christopher re-signed with the Athletics, and was one of the few remaining pitchers from the previous year on the team, the rest having been called to serve in World War II
. He began the season in the starting rotation, winning his first start of the season against the Boston Red Sox
in a 5–0 shutout
. Over the course of the season, he converted to a sidearm
pitching delivery, which led to three victories in a row for him. After a July 9 loss to the Tigers brought his record to 4–6, Christopher did not pitch again until August 24, and spent the rest of the season pitching in relief. He finished the season with a 5–8 record and a 3.45 ERA.
Christopher began the 1944 Philadelphia Athletics season
as a member of the starting rotation along with Don Black, Lum Harris
and Bobo Newsom
. However, he did split time in the first half of the year between the starting rotation and the bullpen. Among those appearances was a 16-inning match against the Chicago White Sox
; Christopher pitched the final four innings, losing 4–2 after Hal Trosky
stole home plate
. On July 14, he pitched a 4–3 victory against the Senators, helping his team defeat Hall of Fame
pitcher Early Wynn
for the first time in three years. After starting the season with a 4-10 record, on July 22 Christopher went on a seven-game winning streak that culminated with a 5–1 complete game
victory over the White Sox. He finished the season with a 14–14 record, 84 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.97. After the season ended, Christopher and others went on a barnstorming tour
throughout the United States, ending in Wenatchee, Washington
.
The following season, Christopher was part of an optimistic 1945 Athletics team
, so much so that coach Earle Mack
felt that Christopher, Black, Newsom and Jesse Flores
were the best quartet of starting pitchers in the league. He spent most of spring training holding out for a new contract, which was eventually agreed on in the middle of March. He missed the first couple weeks of the season due to injury, and won his season debut on April 18, a 12-inning shutout against the Senators. He followed that up with a victory over the Boston Red Sox
, allowing only one earned run in his first 21 innings of the season. In mid-June, Christopher had won ten games, which not only led the league, but was more than the seven the rest of the Athletics pitching staff had combined. On July 21, Christopher was part of a 24-inning game against the Tigers that ended in a 1–1 tie; he went 13 innings in the game while Joe Berry pitched the other 11. Although Christopher had a strong start to the season, he struggled during the second half. He lost seven straight games over a two-month period before winning another on August 19 against the Tigers. He finished the year with a 13-13 record and a 3.17 ERA. He was selected to the American League All-Star team
, however the game was canceled as a result of World War II
.
The 1946 Philadelphia Athletics season
began with Christopher the subject of a possible trade. The Athletics tried to obtain Johnny Lindell
from the Yankees, but they wanted Christopher in return. Mack refused to give him up, and as a result the trade never materialized. He began the season in the starting rotation, and was the opening day starting pitcher in a 5–0 loss against the Yankees. Over the first part of the season, Christopher again split time between the rotation and the bullpen. In a 7–3 loss to the Indians on July 18, Christopher could not get out of the second inning, allowing five earned runs. After this, he did not pitch for a month, and spent the rest of the season as an occasional reliever. He finished the season with five wins, seven losses and a 4.30 ERA. After the season ended, Christopher began contemplating retirement from baseball. He had lost 10 pounds in the final months of the season and was light to begin with, and decided that he would retire if he could not gain the weight back over the winter.
Christopher gained the weight back and rejoined the Athletics for the 1947 season. While there was talk of keeping him in the rotation, he ended up becoming a full-time reliever for the team. Despite this, Christopher was still able to contribute with his bat; he drove in the winning run in a May 29 game against the Red Sox. Over the course of the season, Christopher evolved into the Athletics' closer
, finishing the games when the team's pitchers could not go the distance. He finished the season having played 44 games, finishing 38 of them and getting 12 saves in the process. He also had 10 wins, seven losses, and a 2.90 ERA. At the end of the season, Christopher was holding out on his contract, wanting either a starting role in the rotation or more money to remain a reliever. The two sides agreed to a deal at the end of February, and he looked to be a starting pitcher during the 1948 season.
, Mack said he would not have made it unless Christopher consented to it, which he did not expect to happen. Indians manager Lou Boudreau
reacted positively to the trade and felt that he was the missing piece for a pennant run. He said of the trade, "With Christopher on out staff, we're definitely contenders."
While Christopher was hoping to start, the Indians felt, like the Athletics, that he would be better as a relief pitcher for them. Early in the season, Christopher told Veeck that 1948 would be his final year, as his wife joined the doctors' side, wanting him to retire and noting that he was playing on "borrowed time" already. He spent the season as the Indians' chief relief pitcher alongside Ed Klieman
, both of whom were considered two of the best relievers in the league that season. Christopher finished the season with 45 games played, a 3–2 record, a 2.90 ERA, and 17 saves, which led the league. In the 1948 World Series
, he pitched in game five, facing Mike McCormick
and Eddie Stanky
. He allowed singles to both hitters and allowed two runs to score, and was relieved by Satchel Paige
, ending his only playoff appearance.
After the World Series ended, Christopher mulled over retirement, and in January 1949, he made it official. However, at the start of February, he reconsidered and signed a contract with the Indians, deciding to play for one more year. A month later, as spring training began, he decided to retire for good, ending his career in baseball.
for a salary of $1 a year. He spent several weeks training with team, but was eventually released at the end of April, ending his comeback attempt.
When his final attempt at a comeback failed, Christopher went on to work in an aircraft plant in San Diego. He died in his hometown of Richmond, California
at the age of 37 on December 5, 1954 and is interred at Chapel of the Chimes
in Oakland, California
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
right-handed 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...
in Major League Baseball
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...
who played for seven seasons in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with the Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. In 241 career games, Christopher pitched 999⅔ innings
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...
and posted a win-loss record of 54–64, with 46 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s, three shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s, and a 3.37 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...
(ERA).
A 6'3, 180 lb. player from Richmond, California
Richmond, California
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
, he played minor league baseball in the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
organization before being acquired by the Athletics in the rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. Christopher joined the Athletics' major league roster in 1942 and played six seasons for them, and made his only All-Star appearance
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in 1945. He was traded to the Indians before the 1948 season, and played one year of baseball with them. After the season ended, he retired due to health concerns and worked at an aircraft plant until his death in 1954.
Early life and minor leagues
Christopher was born in Richmond, CaliforniaRichmond, California
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
. His brother, Loyd Christopher
Loyd Christopher
Lloyd Eugene Christopher was a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Boston Red Sox , Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox . He stood 6'2" and weighed 190 lbs...
, went on to become a major league outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
. Loyd was the one first interested in becoming a professional baseball player, but would not sign a contract unless Russ signed one as well. As a child, Christopher had a case of rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs following a Streptococcus pyogenes infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. Believed to be caused by antibody cross-reactivity that can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain, the illness typically develops two to three weeks after...
, which damaged his heart.
He had his first taste of professional baseball in 1938, when he signed with the Clovis Pioneers
Clovis Pioneers
The Clovis Pioneers are a professional baseball team based in Clovis, New Mexico. The team is a member of the Pecos League, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major or Minor League Baseball that will begin play in 2011....
of the West Texas-New Mexico League
West Texas-New Mexico League
The West Texas-New Mexico League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1937 through 1955. The league was not active in 1943-1945 because of World War II...
. He pitched in 13 games for the pioneers, posting a 7–5 record, 106 innings pitched and a 4.50 ERA. The following year, Christopher joined the El Paso Texans, the rookie-level minor league team of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
farm system. In 32 games with the Texans, he posted an 18–7 record, pitched 225 innings and had an ERA of 3.68. He was promoted in 1940 to the Wenatchee Chiefs
Wenatchee Chiefs
The Wenatchee Chiefs were a minor league baseball team based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team was founded in 1937, and was a part of the Western International League from its founding until 1954, although the team did not operate in 1941 and the entire league was suspended during World War II,...
of the Western International League
Western International League
The Western International League was a mid- to higher-level circuit in American and Canadian minor league baseball. It operated in 1923, 1937-42, and 1946-54. In 1955, it changed its name to the Northwest League, and still operates today as a Short Season A loop under that name.The WIL consisted of...
, where he finished the year with an 8-8 record and a 4.72 ERA in 20 games. At the end of the season, he was promoted to the Newark Bears of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
along with seven other minor league players.
In his lone season with the Bears, Christopher pitched in 31 games. Among those games was a four-hit shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
against the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
in the International League playoffs to put the Beard up two games to none. In the championship series against the Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
, Christopher pitched seven solid innings in a victory for the Bears, but injured his back and did not play another game that season. He finished the season with a 16–7 record, a 2.82 ERA and 12 complete games. At the conclusion of the season, Christopher was considered the top prospect in the rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
, and the Philadelphia Athletics selected him with the first pick of the draft.
Philadelphia Athletics
After pitching with the Athletics in spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, manager Connie Mack
Connie Mack
Connie Mack may refer to:* Connie Mack I , Hall of Fame baseball manager, player, owner* Connie Mack III , U.S. Representative , U.S. Senator from Florida * Connie Mack IV , U.S...
placed Christopher on the major league roster, and he made his debut on April 14, 1942. On May 5, Christopher made his first appearance as a starting pitcher
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....
against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. The Athletics won the game, 2–1, and he got his first major league win. After another win five days later, he began a long losing streak. Many of the games he did pitch were in relief, including a game in June against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
where he only allowed one hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in three innings. He got his third win of the season three months after his second on August 20 in a 2–1 victory over the Washington Nationals
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. He finished the season with a 4–13 record, a 3.82 ERA, 30 total games, 58 strikeouts and 99 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
. The following season, Christopher re-signed with the Athletics, and was one of the few remaining pitchers from the previous year on the team, the rest having been called to serve in 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...
. He began the season in the starting rotation, winning his first start of the season against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in a 5–0 shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
. Over the course of the season, he converted to a sidearm
Sidearm
In baseball, sidearm describes balls thrown along a low, approximately horizontal axis rather than a high, mostly vertical axis ....
pitching delivery, which led to three victories in a row for him. After a July 9 loss to the Tigers brought his record to 4–6, Christopher did not pitch again until August 24, and spent the rest of the season pitching in relief. He finished the season with a 5–8 record and a 3.45 ERA.
Christopher began the 1944 Philadelphia Athletics season
1944 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 5th in the American League with a record of 72 wins and 82 losses.- Spring training :...
as a member of the starting rotation along with Don Black, Lum Harris
Lum Harris
Chalmer Luman Harris was an American right-handed pitcher, coach, manager, and scout in Major League Baseball....
and Bobo Newsom
Bobo Newsom
Louis Norman Newsom was an American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Also known as "Buck", Newsom played for a number of teams from 1929 through 1953...
. However, he did split time in the first half of the year between the starting rotation and the bullpen. Among those appearances was a 16-inning match against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
; Christopher pitched the final four innings, losing 4–2 after Hal Trosky
Hal Trosky
Harold Arthur Trosky, Sr., born Harold Arthur Trojovsky , was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox . Trosky was born in Norway, Iowa. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.Trosky had a career .302 batting average, with a...
stole home plate
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
. On July 14, he pitched a 4–3 victory against the Senators, helping his team defeat Hall of Fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
pitcher Early Wynn
Early Wynn
Early Wynn Jr. , nicknamed "Gus", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox...
for the first time in three years. After starting the season with a 4-10 record, on July 22 Christopher went on a seven-game winning streak that culminated with a 5–1 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
victory over the White Sox. He finished the season with a 14–14 record, 84 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.97. After the season ended, Christopher and others went on a barnstorming tour
Barnstorm (sports)
Barnstorming in athletics refers to sports teams or individuals that travel to various locations, usually small towns, to stage exhibition matches....
throughout the United States, ending in Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and is the largest city and county seat of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925...
.
The following season, Christopher was part of an optimistic 1945 Athletics team
1945 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 52 wins and 98 losses.- Notable transactions :* May 29, 1945: Frankie Hayes was traded by the Athletics to the Cleveland Indians for Buddy Rosar....
, so much so that coach Earle Mack
Earle Mack
Earle Thaddeus Mack, born Earle Thaddeus McGillicuddy , was an American player and coach in Major League Baseball, and, during parts of two seasons, manager of the Philadelphia Athletics when his father, Connie Mack, was too ill to manage. He also became a part-owner of the franchise. His nephew...
felt that Christopher, Black, Newsom and Jesse Flores
Jesse Flores
Jesse Sandoval Flores was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The 5'10", 175 lb. right-hander was a native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He played for the Cubs , Philadelphia Athletics , and Cleveland Indians .-Career:Flores was originally signed by the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent...
were the best quartet of starting pitchers in the league. He spent most of spring training holding out for a new contract, which was eventually agreed on in the middle of March. He missed the first couple weeks of the season due to injury, and won his season debut on April 18, a 12-inning shutout against the Senators. He followed that up with a victory over the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, allowing only one earned run in his first 21 innings of the season. In mid-June, Christopher had won ten games, which not only led the league, but was more than the seven the rest of the Athletics pitching staff had combined. On July 21, Christopher was part of a 24-inning game against the Tigers that ended in a 1–1 tie; he went 13 innings in the game while Joe Berry pitched the other 11. Although Christopher had a strong start to the season, he struggled during the second half. He lost seven straight games over a two-month period before winning another on August 19 against the Tigers. He finished the year with a 13-13 record and a 3.17 ERA. He was selected to the American League All-Star team
1945 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1945 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was to have been the 13th annual playing of the midseason exhibition baseball game between the all-stars of the American League and National League, the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
, however the game was canceled as a result 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...
.
The 1946 Philadelphia Athletics season
1946 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 49 wins and 105 losses.- Regular season :...
began with Christopher the subject of a possible trade. The Athletics tried to obtain Johnny Lindell
Johnny Lindell
John Harlan Lindell was an American professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder and pitcher in the Major League Baseball from to and from to . Lindell played for the New York Yankees, St...
from the Yankees, but they wanted Christopher in return. Mack refused to give him up, and as a result the trade never materialized. He began the season in the starting rotation, and was the opening day starting pitcher in a 5–0 loss against the Yankees. Over the first part of the season, Christopher again split time between the rotation and the bullpen. In a 7–3 loss to the Indians on July 18, Christopher could not get out of the second inning, allowing five earned runs. After this, he did not pitch for a month, and spent the rest of the season as an occasional reliever. He finished the season with five wins, seven losses and a 4.30 ERA. After the season ended, Christopher began contemplating retirement from baseball. He had lost 10 pounds in the final months of the season and was light to begin with, and decided that he would retire if he could not gain the weight back over the winter.
Christopher gained the weight back and rejoined the Athletics for the 1947 season. While there was talk of keeping him in the rotation, he ended up becoming a full-time reliever for the team. Despite this, Christopher was still able to contribute with his bat; he drove in the winning run in a May 29 game against the Red Sox. Over the course of the season, Christopher evolved into the Athletics' closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
, finishing the games when the team's pitchers could not go the distance. He finished the season having played 44 games, finishing 38 of them and getting 12 saves in the process. He also had 10 wins, seven losses, and a 2.90 ERA. At the end of the season, Christopher was holding out on his contract, wanting either a starting role in the rotation or more money to remain a reliever. The two sides agreed to a deal at the end of February, and he looked to be a starting pitcher during the 1948 season.
Cleveland Indians
While Christopher was holding out for a new deal from the Athletics, he was also trying to gain weight. He went to around 40 banquets on behalf of Connie Mack during the offseason, and despite his eating habits, he remained at 170 pounds, not gaining an ounce. After apparently reaching an agreement with the Athletics, Christopher was purchased by the Cleveland Indians on April 3, 1948. While the deal was made between Mack and Indians owner Bill VeeckBill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
, Mack said he would not have made it unless Christopher consented to it, which he did not expect to happen. Indians manager Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
reacted positively to the trade and felt that he was the missing piece for a pennant run. He said of the trade, "With Christopher on out staff, we're definitely contenders."
While Christopher was hoping to start, the Indians felt, like the Athletics, that he would be better as a relief pitcher for them. Early in the season, Christopher told Veeck that 1948 would be his final year, as his wife joined the doctors' side, wanting him to retire and noting that he was playing on "borrowed time" already. He spent the season as the Indians' chief relief pitcher alongside Ed Klieman
Ed Klieman
Edward Frederick "Specs" Klieman was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of eight seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics. For his career, he compiled a 26-28 record in 222 appearances, with a...
, both of whom were considered two of the best relievers in the league that season. Christopher finished the season with 45 games played, a 3–2 record, a 2.90 ERA, and 17 saves, which led the league. In the 1948 World Series
1948 World Series
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston...
, he pitched in game five, facing Mike McCormick
Mike McCormick (outfielder)
Myron Winthrop "Mike" McCormick was an American professional baseball player. He was an outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds , Boston Braves , Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators of Major League Baseball...
and Eddie Stanky
Eddie Stanky
Edward Raymond Stanky , nicknamed "The Brat", was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Boston Braves , New York Giants , and St. Louis Cardinals...
. He allowed singles to both hitters and allowed two runs to score, and was relieved by Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
, ending his only playoff appearance.
After the World Series ended, Christopher mulled over retirement, and in January 1949, he made it official. However, at the start of February, he reconsidered and signed a contract with the Indians, deciding to play for one more year. A month later, as spring training began, he decided to retire for good, ending his career in baseball.
Later life
After retiring, Christopher moved to San Diego, where he lived with his wife and three children. In December 1950, Christopher underwent heart surgery, and afterward felt optimistic about the possibility of pitching again. After a tryout with the Indians in 1951, he joined the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres (PCL)
The San Diego Padres were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1936 through 1968. The team that would eventually become the Padres was well traveled prior to moving to San Diego. It began its existence in 1903 as the Sacramento Solons, a charter member of the PCL...
for a salary of $1 a year. He spent several weeks training with team, but was eventually released at the end of April, ending his comeback attempt.
When his final attempt at a comeback failed, Christopher went on to work in an aircraft plant in San Diego. He died in his hometown of Richmond, California
Richmond, California
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
at the age of 37 on December 5, 1954 and is interred at Chapel of the Chimes
Chapel of the Chimes (Oakland, California)
Chapel of the Chimes was founded in 1909 as a crematory and columbarium in Oakland, California. The present building dates largely from a 1928 redevelopment based on the designs of the architect Julia Morgan. The Moorish- and Gothic-inspired interior is a maze of small rooms featuring ornate...
in Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
.
External links
- Retrosheet
- Russell Christopher at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...