Bob Savage

John Robert Savage

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 180 lb.
• School Staunton Military Academy
• High School St. Joseph's High School (Manchester, NH)
• Debut June 24, 1942
• Final Game May 4, 1949
• Born December 1, 1921 in Manchester, NH USA
• Died July 26, 2013 in Berlin, NH USA

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Biographical Information

Bob Savage had his ups-and-downs in a five-year major league career. Although he had a won-loss record as bad as 3-15, he also went 5-1.

Savage broke into the majors in 1942 with an ERA of 3.23 in eight games. The team ERA on the 1942 Athletics was 4.45. Savage was 20 years old.

Savage had attended St. Joseph's High School as well as Staunton Military Academy, where he studied military science. After Pearl Harbor, he joined the Army in early 1942 and was wounded in France in 1943. The next year he was wounded again, this time on his birthday. He was wounded a third time in 1945. Afterwards, he was part of the division that liberated the Dachau concentration camp.

He came back after the war in 1946 to go 3-15, but his 4.06 ERA was close to the team ERA of 3.90. He went 8-10 in 1947 and then 5-1 in 1948. Selected off waivers by the St. Louis Browns, he had no decisions with them in 1949.

He and Bobo Newsom were good friends.

After his major league days he spent five years in the PCL and also played for Yakima.

After baseball, he worked in the hospital supply business and then for Wilson Sporting Goods, where he and Lefty Gomez would conduct clinics and promotions together. Then he opened up his own sporting goods store and a hotel (with his brother) and also coached some high school sports. Later, he was elected clerk of the local probate court.

He is one of five major league players (through 2008) with the last name Savage. The others are Ted Savage, Don Savage, Jack Savage and Jimmie Savage.

Related Sites

Bob Savage Tells His Story