Johnny Rutherford, American baseball player, Died at 91

  Sports

John William Rutherford was born on May 5, 1925, in Belleville, Ontario, Canada and died on December 25, 2016.

He was a Major League Baseball pitcher.

Rutherford was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers as an amateur free agent before the 1947 season, and played for them in 1952.

Rutherford was nicknamed “Doc”, at 27-year-old, the rookie stood 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and weighed 170 lb (77 kg).

He pitched both as a starter and reliever for the pennant-winning 1952 Dodgers, making his major league debut in relief against the St. Louis Cardinals at Sportsman’s Park on April 30.

Rutherford’s first major league win came a week later, also in relief, in a 5–4 decision over the Cincinnati Reds at Ebbets Field.

He got his first start on July 31.

Rutherford appeared in 22 games with 11 starts, four complete games, 8 games finished, and 2 saves.

Rutherford had won 7, lost 7, and had an earned run average of 4.25.

In 97 1⁄3 innings pitched, Rutherford gave up 97 hits, struck out 29, and walked 29.

At the plate, Rutherford batted .290 (9-for-31) with 3 runs batted in and 3 runs scored.

During the field, Rutherford recorded 3 putouts, 24 assists, made no errors, and participated in one double play.

He made one appearance in the 1952 World Series, which the New York Yankees won in seven games.

Rutherford pitched one inning in Game # 4 and gave up one hit (a Mickey Mantle triple) and one earned run.

John William Rutherford passed away at 91 years old.