Roxey Roach

Wilbur Charles Roach

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 160 lb.

• Debut April 26, 1910
• Final Game September 30, 1915
• Born November 28, 1882 in Anita, PA USA
• Died December 26, 1947 in Bay City, MI USA

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Biographical Information

"Wilbur Roach . . . helped Lancaster win the pennant in the Tri-State League last year. . ." - Sporting Life of February 19, 1910

"Wilbur Roach is playing a bang-up game in short field for the New York Americans . . . The former Lancaster player is one of the finds of the season." - from Sporting Life, June 4, 1910

"Shortstop Wilbur Roach is playing a strong game for Jersey City and has strengthened that team." - Sporting Life issue of July 1, 1911

Wilbur "Roxey" Roach got most of his at-bats with the New York Highlanders in 1910 and the Buffalo Blues in 1915. Hal Chase, who was the same age as Roxey, was a teammate on both teams.

It was reported in 1913 that he was an avid hunter, owning a fishing and hunting preserve of 80 acres in Michigan along with another ballplayer.

He was apparently always known as Wilbur during his earlier years as a ballplayer, but then was called Roxey during his later years. He may have been given the nickname in remembrance of another ballplayer named Roxey Roach, a catcher, who played in the 1890's.

One source says he played in the minors through 1922, at the AA level, although Baseball Reference lists his career through 1919. He had business interests in Windber, PA.