Joe Page

Note: This page discusses 1940s and 1950s relief pitcher Joe Page. For the minor league executive and scout of the same name, click here.

Joseph Francis Page
(Fireman or The Gay Reliever)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.
• Debut April 19, 1944
• Final Game May 25, 1954
• Born October 28, 1917 in Cherry Valley, PA USA

Died April 21, 1980 in Latrobe, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Although Joe Page finished fourth in the MVP voting in 1947, he actually got 7 first-place votes, finishing very close behind his teammate Joe DiMaggio who had 8.

In 1949 Page set the single-season saves record with 27. He was the unofficial World Series MVP in 1949.

He left school to work in the coal mines near Pittsburgh, PA at a young age. He was pitching in the city's amateur league and working in an aluminum factory when he was first signed by the New York Yankees in 1940. His career had almost ended before it started, as he was in a serious automobile accident in 1936 and almost lost a leg, needing a five-month hospital stay to recover form a compound fracture. That injury led to his being classified as 4-F and ineligible for the draft during World War II. Thus he continued to play minor league ball during the War years and in 1944 made his way to the Yankees.

Notable Achievements

• 3-time AL All-Star (1944, 1947 & 1948)
• 2-time AL Games Pitched Leader (1948 & 1949)
• 2-time AL Saves Leader (1947 & 1949)
• Won three World Series with the New York Yankees (1947, 1949 & 1950; he did not play in the 1950 World Series)

Related Sites

• Joe Page at the SABR Bio Project