Jim Rittwage

James Michael Rittwage

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 190 lb.
• High School Bedford (OH) High School
• Debut September 7, 1970
• Final Game September 30, 1970
• Born October 23, 1944 in Cleveland, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Jim Rittwage was a hometown boy, born in Cleveland, OH, and he attended Bedford High School in Bedford, OH not far from Cleveland. He was scouted for the Indians by Elmer Flick and, although the Pittsburgh Pirates offered more money, Jim signed with the Indians in 1964. [1]

He played for the Charleston Indians in 1964 at age 19, posting an ERA of 3.24, and then was placed on the Indians' roster in 1965. When he was put on waivers, the Kansas City Athletics claimed him and put him with the Birmingham Barons in their organization, for whom he had a 3.39 ERA mostly in relief. The Indians then traded to get him back, in a deal also involving Joe Rudi, Jim Landis and Phil Roof. He spent most of the rest of his pro career in the Indians organization.

Rittwage spent most of 1966-1969 in the AA Eastern League, which was the league he had started with in 1964. A peak was in 1968 when he had an ERA of 2.33. In 1969 he came to AAA for the first time, pitching 9 games.

1970 and 1971 were spent mostly with the Wichita Aeros, but he came up to the majors with the Indians in September of 1970 for 8 games, of which 3 were starts. He had a 4.15 ERA, close to the team ERA of 3.91. At age 25, he was two years younger than team ace Sam McDowell. Jim's most impressive outing was a complete game victory on September 19th against the Baltimore Orioles who dominated the league that year and easily won the 1970 World Series. Jim pitched 9 innings against the Orioles that day, giving up 6 hits, 3 walks and 2 runs. He also appeared in the field once, spending a third of an inning at third base, on September 25th, also against the Orioles, moving from the mound in the 4th inning to enable lefty Rick Austin to face Boog Powell. Austin gave up a two-run double to Powell, then intentionally walked Merv Rettenmund before getting Terry Crowley out. Rittwage returned to the mound the next inning.

After the two years with Wichita, he was with the Portland Beavers in 1972 and the Oklahoma City 89ers in 1973, both AAA affiliates of the Indians. In 1973 he went 8-1. mostly in relief. He was then traded to the St. Louis Cardinals organization, and pitched for their AAA Tulsa Oilers, mostly in relief, to close out his minor league career.