Bob Rothel

Robert Burton Rothel

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10½", Weight 170 lb.
• Debut April 22, 1945
• Final Game April 29, 1945
• Born September 17, 1923 in Columbia Station, OH USA
• Died March 21, 1984 in Huron, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

In-fielder Bob Rothel was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cleveland Indians before the 1944 season. He was assigned to the Batavia Clippers of the class D Pony League for his opening season. The 20-year-old appeared in 125 games and came up with 164 base-hits, including five home runs in 487 at-bats, for a first year .337 batting average.

This performance got him a quick trip to Municipal Stadium for the opening of the 1945 season with the Indians and quick and short it was. A seven-day wonder, Bob made his debut at third base on April 22, 1945 and during the next seven days he appeared in four games, went 2 for 10 in the hitting department and fielded eight chances at the hot-corner and got them all but one, and on April 29 was on his way to the minors. He would not return to the show.

Back in the minors, Rothel spent the rest of the 1945 season with the Wilkes-Barre Barons of the class A Eastern League, where he appeared in 124 games and hit at a .284 clip. In 1946, his final year in baseball, he was with the Wilkes-Barre club again for 68 games and finished up his time in the game with the Charleston Rebels of the class A Sally League in 19 appearances for a combined .237 average. This finished out his time in the minor leagues with a .293 batting average in 336 games.

After baseball, he became the president of State Sales Incorporated, in Elyria, OH. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 21, 1984 in Huron, OH and was interred in York Chapel Cemetery in Bellevue, Ohio. Robert Burton Rothel was 61 years of age.