Rube Melton
Pitcher
Born: (1917-02-27)February 27, 1917
Cramerton, North Carolina, U.S.
Died: September 11, 1971(1971-09-11) (aged 54)
Greer, South Carolina, U.S.
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 record30–50
Earned run average3.62
Strikeouts363
Teams

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.

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]

References

  1. ↑ "Melton, Phil Rook Hurler, Suspended". The Pittsburgh Press. July 20, 1941. p. 4 (Section 4). Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Morris, Jack. "Rube Melton". SABR.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Bedingfield, Gary (May 13, 2008). "Rube Melton". baseballinwartime.com. Baseball in Wartime. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Rube Melton Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Rube Melton Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Rube Melton Obituary". baseball-almanac.com. Baseball Almanac. Retrieved January 5, 2018.


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