Rube Oldring

Reuben Henry Oldring

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 186 lb.
• Debut October 2, 1905
• Final Game August 30, 1918
• Born May 30, 1884 in New York, NY USA
• Died September 9, 1961 in Bridgeton, NJ USA

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Biographical Information

Rube Oldring played thirteen years in the American League, primarily for the Philadelphia Athletics in the days of the $100,000 infield.

Oldring began playing baseball on the sandlots of New York City and then played semi-pro ball for teams in the city and in New Jersey. He then played minor league ball for Montgomery.

Oldring came up to the majors originally as a shortstop in 1905 with the 1905 New York Highlanders, for whom the regular shortstop that year was Kid Elberfeld. Elberfeld would stick around while Oldring would be drafted by the Athletics. Oldring's son, in an article (see citation below) states, however, that Oldring was actually owned by the Athletics while he played for the Highlanders and that the A's would not let him stay with the Highlanders for 1906.

In 1906 Oldring played exclusively in the infield, primarily at third base for the A's who had Monte Cross at shortstop. The following year Oldring became the regular centerfielder for the team, a position he kept for six seasons before being used for the rest of his major league career mostly in left field and right field.

His best year with the bat was in 1910, when he was in the top ten in the league in batting average, doubles, triples, and home runs.

He played in the 1911, 1913 and 1914 World Series. The team also won the Series in 1910 but Oldring did not appear because of a broken leg. He made one of the World Series' great catches in the 1913 World Series.

The Athletics' fans chose Oldring as the team's top player in 1913. He won a Cadillac as a result.

In mid-1916 he was released by the Athletics and signed by the Yankees. However, in 1918 the Athletics brought him back for one more year. Oldring managed for three seasons in the Virginia League. In 1919, he led the Suffolk Nuts to a 49-58, 5th place finish. In 1922, he took over the Richmond Colts in mid-season -- the team finished 6th with a 49-68 record. His last managerial stint was in 1926, again with the Colts and again taking over the managerial reins at mid-season. His final season as a minor league manager was his most successful as the Colts won the league championship with a record of 85-68.

After that he bought a farm.

One main source: Rube Oldring

Notable Achievements

• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1913)
• Won three World Series with the Philadelphia Athletics (1910, 1911 & 1913) (he did not play in the 1910 World Series)

Related Sites

• Rube Oldring at the SABR Bio Project