Schechter: Eddie Rommel, making Plan B work
From SABR member Gabriel Schechter at The National Pastime Museum on February 9, 2017:
Much has been made of the Indiana farm boy who ran afoul of a corn thresher that tried to separate the boy’s right hand from his wrist. Little Mordecai Brown grew up to be “Three Finger” Brown. Mangled fingers forced him to find a unique grip that gave him the most unhittable curveball of his generation, leading to a Hall of Fame career.
Baltimore native Edwin Americus Rommel achieved a lesser-known adaptation to adversity. After two seasons in the low minors, the 6-foot, 2-inch 20-year-old got a winter job in 1917 as a steamfitter’s helper on a ship. When a mishap severely scalded his hands, he couldn’t grip a baseball normally. Instead, he used his fingertips and became the standout knuckleball artist of his era, fashioning a 171–119 record in thirteen seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics.
John McGraw gave Rommel a tryout in 1919 but quickly jettisoned him. Pitching for Newark in the International League, Rommel won 22 games, including a no-hitter. Connie Mack saw him pitch and offered him a contract. By 1921 he was Mack’s workhorse, going 16–23 for a franchise that finished last for the seventh straight season. From 1921 to 1925, Rommel averaged 50 games, 32 starts, 19 complete games, and 283 innings per season.
Read the full article here: http://www.thenationalpastimemuseum.com/article/eddie-rommel-making-plan-b-work
Originally published: February 9, 2017. Last Updated: February 9, 2017.