Roy Bruner

Walter Roy Bruner

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 165 lb.
• Debut September 14, 1939
• Final Game June 8, 1941
• Born February 10, 1917 in Cecilia, KY USA
• Died November 30, 1986 in St. Matthews, KY USA

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Biographical Information

Kentucky native Roy Bruner spent eight seasons in professional baseball between 1936 to 1947. He spent parts of three of those years in the bigs.

Bruner made his debut in the major leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies on September 14, 1939. He appeared in four games, giving up 22 runs, and lost all four of his decisions. Roy was back with the Phillies in 1940 with no decisions in two appearances and returned again to Shibe Park in 1941. He appeared in 13 games, mostly in relief, losing all three of his decisions and finished his major league time on June 8, 1941, with a record of 0-7 and a 5.74 ERA in 19 games.

Roy spent his first three years (1936-1938) in the minor leagues with the Thomasville Orioles of the Class D Georgia-Florida League. The right-hander went 2-4 in his first season but popped up to a 12-8 record and a 3.24 ERA in 1937, helping his team to the league championship. In 1938, Roy had his winningest season of his minor league run, with a 19-8 record and a 3.87 ERA. During the next three seasons (1939-1941), in between his trips to the big leagues, Bruner spent parts of two seasons (1939-1940) with the Baltimore Orioles of the International League, going 11-6 in 1939 and 7-12 in 1940. In 1941, Roy fell to 3-6 in 20 games for the Rochester Red Wings. He spent the next four seasons (1942-1945) serving as a Captain in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Back from his military service, Bruner was with Rochester again in 1946, finishing 3-9. The Birmingham Barons of the Southern Association had Roy in 1947 and he went 4-7 in 18 games and called it a career. He finished his minor league days with a 61-60 record and 4.28 ERA in 134 games.

After baseball, Bruner owned and operated Bruner Aluminum Company in his native Kentucky until his retirement. He passed away at 69 on November 30, 1986 at Humana Hospital-Suburban in Louisville, KY.