Morrie Rath

Morris Charles Rath

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8½", Weight 160 lb.
• High School Central Manual Training School
• Debut September 28, 1909
• Final Game October 3, 1920
• Born December 25, 1887 in Mobeetie, TX USA
• Died November 18, 1945 in Upper Darby, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Morrie Rath played six seasons in the majors and ten in the minors. He was a regular for the Chicago White Sox in 1912 and 1913, but then spent years in the minors before returning as a regular with the Cincinnati Reds in 1919 and 1920. In 1912, he walked 95 times leading to 104 Runs, but only 19 RBI. He was the Reds' leadoff hitter during the World Championship season of 1919. He was hit by Eddie Cicotte of the Chicago White Sox leading off Game 1 of the 1919 World Series for the Reds; this was a pre-arranged signal to gamblers that the fix was on.

Rath had played in 1910 and 1911 for the minor league Baltimore Orioles, a team full of future and former major leaguers. Some other teams he played for in the minors, including Kansas City, Salt Lake City and San Francisco, were also well-stocked with future or former major leaguers.

He owned a sporting goods store following his retirement from baseball. Rath shot and killed himself in 1945. He is the uncle of Mike Balenti.

Notable Achievements

• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1912)
• Won a World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1919

Related Sites

• Morrie Rath at the SABR Bio Project
• Baseball History Daily story on Morrie Rath
• Find-A-Grave Memorial for Morrie Rath