Rogers McKee

Rogers McKee
Pitcher
Born: September 16, 1926
Shelby, North Carolina
Died: September 1, 2014 (aged 87)
Shelby, North Carolina
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 18, 1943 for the Philadelphia Phillies
Last MLB appearance
September 26, 1944 for the Philadelphia Phillies
Career statistics
Win–loss record 1–0
Earned run average 5.87
Strikeouts 1
Teams

Rogers Hornsby McKee (September 16, 1926 – September 1, 2014) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1943 through 1944 for the Philadelphia Phillies. As a 16-year-old rookie in 1943, he was the youngest player to appear in a National League game that season.[1]

McKee was one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the Major Leagues during World War II. He made his major league debut on August 18, 1943, in a home doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals at Shibe Park. The best game of his short career, however, came on the last day of the 1943 season.

On October 3, 1943 McKee started the second game of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field and pitched a complete game, winning 11–3. The losing pitcher was Cookie Cuccurullo, who was making his major league debut.[1][2] Then, at 17, McKee became the youngest 20th century pitcher to throw a nine-inning complete-game victory on the final day of the regular season, a Major League record that is still unbroken today.[3]

McKee made his last pitching appearance for the Phillies on September 26, 1944. Overall, he posted a 1–0 record and a 5.87 earned run average in five games (one start), allowing 10 runs on 14 hits and six walks, while striking out one in 15⅓ innings of work.

He later switched to outfield and spent nine seasons in the Minor Leagues spanning 1944–1957, collecting a batting average of .287 (1149-for-4007) and 115 home runs in 1,173 games appearances.[4]

McKee died in his homeland of Shelby, North Carolina, 15 days short before of his 88th birthday.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "1943 Major League Baseball New Debuts". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Retrosheet box score – Philadelphia Phillies 11, Pittsburgh Pirates 3 (2): Game Played on Sunday, October 3, 1943 (D) at Forbes Field". retrosheet.org. October 3, 1943. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  3. ↑ Ford, Alan (September 3, 2014). "Local baseball legend McKee passes away". shelbystar.com. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Rogers McKee Minor League Statistics & History". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  5. ↑ Ford, Alan. "Local baseball legend McKee passes away". The Shelby Star. The Shelby Star. Retrieved 17 October 2014.

External links