Reuben Franklin Melton (February 27, 1917 – September 11, 1971) was an American professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and Brooklyn Dodgers, from 1941 to 1947.
Rube Melton | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Cramerton, North Carolina, U.S. | February 27, 1917|
Died: September 11, 1971 Greer, South Carolina, U.S. | (aged 54)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 17, 1941, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
Last MLB appearance | |
June 3, 1947, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 30–50 |
Earned run average | 3.62 |
Strikeouts | 363 |
Teams | |
Melton experienced difficulty in his first MLB season when he was suspended by the Phillies for leaving the team without permission reportedly because of homesickness.[1] Melton led the league in walks and wild pitches during the 1942 season.
Melton was traded to Brooklyn, on December 12, 1942, for pitcher Johnny Allen and $30,000. (The Dodgers had previously tried to trade for Melton, but Commissioner of Baseball Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis disallowed the transaction; however, because of Philadelphia’s ever-increasing financial instability, the second deal was approved.)[2]
Melton missed the 1945 season due to service in the US Army during World War II.[3] His best season occurred just after his military discharge in May 1946, when Melton went 6–3 with a 1.99 earned run average (ERA) for the Dodgers.[3] An earlier arm injury forced him to shorten his major league career. Melton continued to make comeback attempts through 1951, in the minor leagues, then retired as an active player.[2][4]
Melton's playing career overlapped that of his cousin, Cliff Melton, who pitched for the New York Giants.[5]
On September 12, 1971, Melton died in an automobile accident in Greer, South Carolina.[6]