Webbo Clarke

Vibert Ernesto Clarke

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 165 lb.

• Debut 1946
• American League Debut September 4, 1955
• Final Game September 24, 1955
• Born June 8, 1928 in Colon, Colon, Panama
• Died June 14, 1970 in Cristobal, Panama

BR page

Biographical Information

Panamanian-born left-hander Vibert "Webbo" Clarke was signed as an amateur free agent by the Washington Senators in 1955, the same year that, in a treaty with Panama, the United States agreed to provide increased funds for the use of territorial waters in the Canal Zone. He had a very short stay in the American League, from September 4 to 24th, appearing in seven games with no decisions, pitching 21 innings to a 4.64 ERA, but he had pitched in the Negro Leagues before that.

Webbo spent three years in white American pro ball, 1955 through 1957, showing up on the rosters of the Charlotte Hornets, Louisville Colonels, Minneapolis Millers, Springfield Giants and finishing his minor league run in 1957 with the Dallas Eagles. His best season was his first, 1955, when he went 16-12 with a 3.40 ERA for Charlotte. Webbo appeared in 106 minor league games, pitching 580 innings while going 30-44 for a 4.72 ERA. He appeared in 22 games in the 1959 Mexican League with the Mexico City Reds, going 8-10 with a 3.75 ERA and an unsightly 121 walks in 151 1/3 innings.

Toothpick Sam Jones and Clarke were teammates on the Negro American League Cleveland Buckeyes in 1947 when they won the pennant, Clarke finishing 11-2. The two reunited on the Panamanian pro team called the Spur Cola Colonites, after Clarke had previously pitched for Chesterfield. Clarke had been good enough in the Negro Leagues to pitch in the first 1946 East-West Game.

One of several players who made his way from the Caribbean and Panamanian winter leagues into pro baseball in the US, Vibert died June 14, 1970, at 42 at Cristobal in the Canal Zone.

Notable Achievements

• 3-time NAL All-Star (1946-1948)
• NAL Winning Percentage Leader (1947)

Sources

Baseball-Reference.com
Baseball Players of the 1950s
SABR MILB Database:page

Related Sites

• Webbo Clarke at the SABR Bio Project