Rube Walberg

George Elvin Walberg

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1½", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut April 29, 1923
• Final Game October 2, 1937
• Born July 27, 1896 in Pine City, MN USA
• Died October 27, 1978 in Tempe, AZ USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Rube Walberg, who won 155 major league games, was a star in the years 1929-1931 when the Philadelphia Athletics won the pennant each year. He had a 1.93 ERA in 14 World Series innings pitched.

He also had 32 saves in his major league career.

Over 10% of Walberg's 163 home runs were given up to Babe Ruth (17). Ruth had more home runs against the left-handed Walberg than against any other pitcher. Included in the 17 are 4 homers in his 60-HR season. Milt Gaston also gave up 4 HRs to Ruth in 1927, and no one gave up more.

He was with the Portland Beavers prior to becoming a major league regular. Walberg had grown up on a farm, left school after eighth grade to do farm work, and pitched independent ball in 1921. After baseball, he ran a restaurant in Miami, FL before retiring in Arizona.

His place of birth is normally listed as Pine City, MN, and that is what is on his World War II draft registration card, but his draft card for World War I lists Braham, MN, which is nearby. He grew up on a family farm in Royalton Township, MN, which is located between the two small towns, and it's likely that he was born on the farm itself and not in either place.

Notable Achievements

• AL Innings Pitched Leader (1931)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 5 (1927-1929, 1931 & 1932)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1931)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 7 (1927-1933)
• Won two World Series with the Philadelphia Athletics (1929 & 1930)

Sources

Newspaper article on Walberg

Related Sites

• Rube Walberg at the SABR Bio Project