Muddy Ruel
Durable catcher Muddy Ruel had his best seasons as the receiver for the Washington Senators in the 1920s, helping the team to its' only World Series title, in 1924. He delivered a clutch double and scored the winning run in the final game of that series. Highly educated, Ruel was general manager of the Tigers after his 19-year playing career ended, later worked in the commissioner's office, and was hired to manage his hometown St. Louis Browns in 1947.
Played For
St. Louis Browns (1915)
New York Yankees (1917)
Boston Red Sox (1921-1922)
Washington Senators (1923-1930)
Boston Red Sox (1931)
Detroit Tigers (1931-1932)
St. Louis Browns (1933)
Chicago White Sox (1934)
Managed
St. Louis Browns (1947)
Factoids
A graduate of the Washington University Law School, Muddy Ruel is the only ballplayer to have taken a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Where He Played
Ruel was one of the best defensive catchers of his era, and extremely durable, despite his 150-pound frame. He caught every inning of every game in the 1924 and 1925 World Series.
Born
Herold Dominic Ruel was born on February 20, 1896, in St. Louis, MO.
Died
November 13, 1963, Palo Alto, CA
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: C
Primary Team: WS1
Major League Debut
May 29, 1915 ... A semi-pro star on the sandlots of St. Louis, Ruel was signed by the Browns and went right to the big league club, without any minor league seasoning. He caught six games, went 0-for-14, and was sent to Memphis. A few years later, on the recommendation of a bird scout, he was purchased by the Yankees. But when the Yanks negotiated a deal to acquire veteran catcher Wally Schang from the Red Sox in December of 1920, Ruel was thrown into the deal.
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1915
Sam Rice
Rogers Hornsby
Joe Judge
George Sisler
Dave Bancroft
Dazzy Vance
Charlie Jamieson
George Kelly
Baby Doll Jacobson
Similar Players
Steve O'Neill, Hank Severeid
Related Players
Walter Johnson, his battery mate for several years in the 1920s... Ruel was behind the plate on the fateful day in 1920, when Cleveland's Ray Chapman was struck in the head by a Carl Mays pitch. Chapman died the next day. Ruel steadfastly maintained that Mays was not to blame for the incident.
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1946 |
Nominating Vote |
1 |
.5% |
1950 |
BBWAA |
4 |
2.4% |
1951 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.4% |
1952 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.4% |
1953 |
BBWAA |
8 |
3.0% |
1954 |
BBWAA |
5 |
2.0% |
1955 |
BBWAA |
11 |
4.4% |
1956 |
BBWAA |
16 |
8.3% |
1958 |
BBWAA |
10 |
3.8% |
1960 |
BBWAA |
9 |
3.3% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1924 World Series
1925 World Series
Transactions
August 21, 1917: Purchased by the New York Yankees from the St. Louis Browns.
December 15, 1920: Traded by the New York Yankees with Del Pratt, Hank Thormahlen, and Sammy Vick to the Boston Red Sox for Waite Hoyt, Harry Harper, Wally Schang, and Mike McNally... Yankee manager Miller Huggins called the inclusion of Ruel in this deal, the worst decision of his career.
February 10, 1923: Traded by the Boston Red Sox with Allan Russell to the Washington Senators for Val Picinich, Howie Shanks, and Ed Goebel.
December 15, 1930: Purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the Washington Senators.
August 31, 1931: Traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Detroit Tigers for Marty McManus.
December 9, 1932: Signed as a Free Agent with the St. Louis Browns.
Learn More about Muddy Ruel
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