Joe Berry (pitcher)

Jonas Arthur Berry (December 16, 1904 – September 27, 1958) was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. The 5 ft 10 1⁄2 in (1.79 m), 145 lb (66 kg) right-hander played for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Athletics, and Cleveland Indians.

Joe Berry
Pitcher
Born: (1904-12-16)December 16, 1904
Huntsville, Arkansas
Died: September 27, 1958(1958-09-27) (aged 53)
Anaheim, California
Batted: Left Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 6, 1942, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
September 21, 1946, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Win–loss record21–22
Earned run average2.45
Strikeouts117
Teams

Career

Berry spent 18 seasons in the minor leagues before World War II gave him a chance to pitch regularly in the big leagues. He pitched in two games for the Cubs in 1942, and then made an impact with the Philadelphia A's two years later. The 39-year-old rookie won 10 games in relief and saved 12 more, tying for the league lead in that category. He also led the league with 47 games finished, and his earned run average was 1.94.

In 1945, at age 40, Berry led the league in games pitched (52) and games finished (40), and had another great ERA (2.35). On July 21st of that same year, he pitched eleven scoreless innings of relief in a 24 inning 1-1 tie against the Detroit Tigers.

On July 1, 1946 Berry was purchased from the A's by the Cleveland Indians and continued to be effective, but not as good as he had been the previous two years. He was also 41 then, the fourth oldest player to appear in an American League game that season. In ​50 1⁄3 innings he was 3–7 with a 3.22 ERA.

Career totals include a record of 21–22 in 133 games, 294 innings pitched, 105 games finished, 18 saves, and an ERA of 2.45.

Berry had several types of curveballs, a slider, a fastball, and a screwball used as a changeup.[1]

Death

Berry died in an automobile accident in Anaheim, California.

See also

References
  1. James, Bill; Neyer, Rob (2004). The Neyer/James guide to pitchers : an historical compendium of pitching, pitchers, and pitches. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 133. ISBN 0-7432-6158-5. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
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