Eppa Rixey
A tall left-hander, Eppa Rixey won 266 games in his 21-year career, which was split between the Phillies and Reds. Rixey was a fine athlete, despite his awkward size. He won 20 games four times, three times for Cincinnati, leading the National League with 25 in 1922. He pitched effectively until he was 42 years old, using his pinpoint control to keep the ball in play. Despite languishing on losing teams much of his career (they were .484 in games in which Rixey did not get the decision), Rixey was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963.
Played For
Philadelphia Phillies (1912-1920)
Cincinnati Reds (1921-1933)
Minor League Experience
While at the University of Virginia, Rixey was reportedly scouted by big league umpire Charlie Rigler, who was a coach at the college.
Rixey attended the University of Virginia in the early 1910s, and his only break from studies was basketball. Charlie Rigler, a National League umpire, was named coach of the school's baseball team and soon went recruiting on campus. He spotted Rixey, who was 6'5" (very tall in those days), playing basketball and immediately urged him to try out for the baseball team. "Boy, a big kid like you should be playing baseball, too." Rigler said. Rixey went out for the team in less than three years he was in the major leagues.
Best Season: 1922
Rixey finally got some support, winning 25 of 38 decisions. He had a 3.53 ERA and walked just 45 batters in more than 300 innings. The southpaw completed 26 games for the Reds, who finished in second place - the highest mark they achieved while Rixey was on the club.
Factoids
While attending the University of Virginia, Rixey studied science and hoped to someday become a chemist.
At the time of his retirement, Eppa Rixey's 266 victories were the most by a left-hander in National League history. The mark was finally surpassed in 1959, by Warren Spahn.
Cooperstown Call
Rixey was a humble man, who unlike other players who waited their turn to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, was very patient. When Rixey finally received the call in 1963, he was modest. "I guess they're scraping the bottom of the barrel," he said in an interview. After his playing days, Rixey entered the insurance business, at which he was very profitable.
Where He Played
Starting pitcher (552 games), relief pitcher (140).
Born
Eppa Rixey was born on May 3, 1891, in Culpeper, VA.
Died
February 28, 1963, Cincinnati, OH
Batted: Right
Threw: Left
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: CIN
Major League Debut
June 21, 1912
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1912
Rabbit Maranville
Cy Williams
Del Pratt
Bobby Veach
Ray Schalk
Casey Stengel
Buck Weaver
Ray Chapman
Herb Pennock
Nicknames
Jephtha
A writer from Cincinnati, William A. Phelon, was credited with the nickname "Eppa Jeptha," which is merely a rhyming middle name he made up for the pitcher.
Uniform Numbers
#18 (1932-1933)
Similar Players
Claude Osteen
Related Players
Red Faber, longtime pitcher with the White Sox, who won 254 games, and retired the day after Rixey did, in February of 1934... Sam Rice and Elmer Flick were both elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963, along with Rixey.
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1937 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.5% |
1938 |
BBWAA |
2 |
.8% |
1945 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.4% |
1947 |
BBWAA |
2 |
1.2% |
1948 |
BBWAA |
5 |
4.1% |
1949 |
BBWAA |
4 |
2.6% |
1950 |
BBWAA |
6 |
3.6% |
1951 |
BBWAA |
5 |
2.2% |
1952 |
BBWAA |
3 |
1.3% |
1953 |
BBWAA |
3 |
1.1% |
1954 |
BBWAA |
5 |
2.0% |
1955 |
BBWAA |
8 |
3.2% |
1956 |
BBWAA |
27 |
14.0% |
1958 |
BBWAA |
32 |
12.0% |
1960 |
BBWAA |
142 |
52.8% |
1962 |
BBWAA |
49 |
30.6% |
1963 |
Veterans |
|
% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1915 World Series
Post-Season Notes
Rixey appeared in one game in relief, taking the loss. He gave up three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. He went 1-for-2 at the plate.
Transactions
November 22, 1920: Traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Cincinnati Reds for Jimmy Ring and Greasy Neale.
Matchup Data
At various times during his career, Rixey was used as a two-day or (later in his career) as a one-day a week pitcher. He was often used against the Pirates, against whom he had great success, and on Sundays, because Pennsylvania did not allow Sunday games and would hop over to Cincinnati to play on those days. Rixey would be left at home for Saturday's game in Pittsburgh and await the Pirates and Reds for Sunday's "home" game.
Best Strength as a Player
His remarkable control. Rixey walked just 2.16 batters per nine innings over his 21-year career. Despite his size (6'5", 210 lbs.), Rixey was not a power pitcher. He kept his fastball down in the strike zone and spotted his off-speed pitches.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Hitting and baserunning.
Learn More about Eppa Rixey
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