Mike Ryba
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Dominic Joseph "Mike" Ryba (June 9, 1903 - December 13, 1971) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A native of DeLancey, Pennsylvania, the right-hander played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1935-1938) and Boston Red Sox (1941-1946). In 1946, at the age of 43, he was the second-oldest player to appear in an American League game that season.
Ryba was usually used in relief during his ten-year major league career, but was also effective when used as a starter. He was also used as a catcher in ten games. He made his major league debut on September 22, 1935 against the Cincinnati Reds in game 1 of a doubleheader at Sportsmans Park. He pitched seven innings of two-hit relief and was the winning pitcher in the 14-4 game. He also had two hits and three runs batted in to help his cause.
In four seasons with St. Louis he won 16 games, lost 9, and had an ERA of 4.39. On September 5, 1940 he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Al Brazle. Ryba was 37 years old and hadn't pitched in the big leagues for two years, but his best seasons were ahead of him.
In six years with the Red Sox he won 36 games, lost 25, saved 16, and had an ERA of 3.42. Boston won the pennant in his last season, and Ryba appeared in Game # 4 of the 1946 World Series, giving up one earned run and allowing two inherited runners to score in 2/3 of an inning.
Ryba finished in his league's TOP TEN for games finished 5 times, games pitched 3 times, saves 2 times, and winning percentage 1 time.
Career totals for 250 games (240 as a pitcher) include a record of 52-34 (.605), 36 games started, 16 complete games, 2 shutouts, 132 games finished, and 16 saves. He allowed 319 earned runs in 783.2 innings pitched for an ERA of 3.66. He hit .235 (58-for-247) with 24 RBI. He made seven errors as a pitcher and none as a catcher.
Career totals for 250 games (240 as a pitcher) include a record of 52-34 (.605), 36 games started, 16 complete games, 2 shutouts, 132 games finished, and 16 saves. He allowed 319 earned runs in 783.2 innings pitched for an ERA of 3.66. He wielded a strong bat for a pitcher, hitting .235 (58-for-247) with 24 RBI. He was strong defensively as well, making just seven errors as a pitcher and none as a catcher.
Ryba managed in the Red Sox and Cardinal farm systems after his pitching career, and coached for St. Louis from 1951-55. He died at the age of 68 in Brookline Station, Missouri.
[edit] Trivia
- Ryba caught both games of a home doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians on July 19, 1942.
- He was referred to as "The One-Man Team" because he played all nine positions while in the minor leagues.
