Russ Christopher
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Russell Ormand Christopher (September 12, 1917 - December 5, 1954) was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics (1942-1947) and the Cleveland Indians (1948). The right-hander stood 6'3" and weighed 180 lbs.
Christopher was primarily a starting pitcher during World War II and was used mostly in relief afterwards. He made his major league debut in relief on April 14, 1942 against the Boston Braves at Braves Field. His first major league win came in his first start, a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Shibe Park on May 5.
He was 14-14 with a 2.97 earned run average for the A's in 1944, and he followed that up with a 13-13 record and 3.17 ERA in 1945, making the AP American League All-Star team. In his last season he was the closer for the 1948 World Series Champion Cleveland Indians, leading the league with 17 saves.
Career totals for 242 games (241 as a pitcher) include a 54-64 record, 97 games started, 46 complete games, 3 shutouts, 112 games finished, and 35 saves. He allowed 374 earned runs in 999.2 innings pitched for an ERA of 3.37.
Christopher passed away in his hometown of Richmond, California at the age of 37.
His brother was former major league outfielder Loyd Christopher.
[edit] Trivia
- Christopher was the losing pitcher of record in Pinky Woods's only major league shutout. {Fenway Park -- June 14, 1944 (2)}
