Eddie Erautt

A small memorial park is all that remains of Lane Field, home of the Pacific Coast League’s San Diego Padres from 1936 until 1957.1 Wind glyphs fly from three poles in the small park, each depicting a player from Padres history, a fielder, a batter and a pitcher. Ted Williams is both the batter and the fielder; the pitcher is Ed Erautt.

Eddie Erautt played professional baseball from 1942 through 1957. He spent all or part of six years in the majors, primarily with the Cincinnati Reds. In the majors he compiled a won-lost record of 15-23, with an ERA of 4.86.2 In 1942 he was compared by his coach to Bob Feller. In 1946 he led the PCL in strikeouts, and the following year was present when Jackie Robinson made his first major-league appearance in Cincinnati. In 1952 he was an ace for the Kansas City Blues, a Yankees affiliate, and became a Triple-A all-star, though he was never a Yankee.

Born in Portland, Oregon, on September 26, 1924, the second son of immigrant parents, William Erautt, from Werchetz, Hungary, and Katherine (Merck) Erautt, born in Russia, Edward Lorenz Sebastian Erautt appeared destined to be a pitcher. His older brother, Joe, made it to the majors as a catcher; playing for the Chicago White Sox in 1950 and 1951, he had 13 years in the minors. As Ed later explained: “My brother Joe was really helpful to me. He was a catcher and three years older than me. We played every day and night, broke every window in the house. … He helped me to learn new pitches, and if I didn’t get the ball over, he’d fire it back and holler at me. Other than Joe and my dad, I didn’t have any real coaching.”3

After three years Ed left Portland’s Lincoln High School in 19394 and played American Legion ball in 1940 and 1941. In 1941 he struck out 37 batters in two games in the Oregon American Legion Junior Championship.5 He found a job as the clubhouse boy for the Portland Beavers of the PCL.6 Ed said that working for the Beavers was “like a year of pro ball. We got to work out with the team. And when they went on the road Rocky [Benevento, the groundskeeper] used to let us use the field. … We’d bring in some kids and play a game, then we’d have to work.”7

Portland manager Oscar Vitt noticed Erautt, and when he became manager of the Hollywood Stars in 1942, he gave Eddie a professional contract. At 17, Erautt was not old enough to sign a contract, so his father signed for him. Columnist Al Lightner observed: “There’s young Eddie Erautt … the 17-year-old Hollywood Star chattel of whom the Stars think so much that they gave him $7,500 for signing a contract … and added iron-clad clauses to that contract whereas Eddie was to get salaries for the first three years which would make a seasoned AA player turn green with envy.”8

Erautt recalled the bonus as being $5,000, and noted that his father had turned down a $15,000 contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers because he wanted Eddie to sign with an independent ballclub. “That way I got fifty percent of my sales price if I was sold to the big leagues.”9 The contract also provided that Eddie could not be farmed out to a lower league without his consent.10

Of the signing, Ned Cronin, writing for the Los Angeles Daily News, said: “Inasmuch as Oscar Vitt absolutely bars the use of opium in his spring training camp and does not use the stuff himself, especially during lent [sic], perhaps some attention should be paid to his assertion that the Hollywood Baseball club has just signed a young pitcher who will make Bob Feller look like a slow freight.”11 Vitt noted another similarity with Feller, whom he had managed on the Indians from 1938 to 1940: “Bob started throwing a ball as soon as he was big enough to lift it. Eddie tells me he has been throwing since he was 5 years old, sometimes as much as three hours a day. He’s really a sweet prospect.”12

In Hollywood, Erautt was away from home for the first time. On May 22, 1942, he and Bob Vitt, the manager’s son, “were picked up by the ‘law’ in North Hollywood.” The Los Angeles Times reported: “Eddie Erautt, Hollywood’s 17-year-old pitcher who still is a stranger to the tortures of shaving, hasn’t been able to win any games for the Twinks in his first season of organized baseball – but he’s a demon when it comes to puncturing tin cans with a B-B gun.”13 Ed was reprimanded by juvenile authorities, and manager Vitt disposed of the “artillery.” Vitt kept the situation in proper perspective observing: “Eddie said he was just sharpening his eye.”14

Though Erautt had potential, he was not yet ready for the PCL, suffering four losses and no wins in 17 innings, and posting an ERA of 9.00. His father agreed and waived the no-demotion clause of his contract.15 On June 11, Ed was optioned to the Western International League, to pitch for the Salem Senators.16

Erautt made his first start for the Senators on June 28, and was credited with good stuff, though he displayed a tendency to serve up “fat” pitches. By July 10 his record was 2-2 and he had a sore arm.17 By August 16 the arm was again functional as he beat Tacoma for a second time.18 On September 4, 1942, he was recalled to the Stars.19

In the midst of World War II, the Stars of 1943 had only five pitchers with experience in Organized Baseball.20 Charlie Root, one of the five, had replaced Vitt as manager. Erautt got the Opening Day start against the San Francisco Seals. He lasted two innings.21 Things did improve, but just as he was hitting his stride, he received his draft notice.22

On July 6, 1943, Erautt reported for induction, and found himself at Fort Lewis, Washington, for basic training,23 where player-coach Morrie Arnovich of the Fort Lewis Warriors baseball team promptly added him to the team. After a good season he was transferred to Camp Roberts, in California.24

Baseball was not part of life at Camp Roberts, but that did not mean that Erautt failed to garner national publicity for his favorite off-field activity, shooting. A Missouri paper wrote:

“Can a soldier be too good a shot even for the army? Eddie Erautt, who formerly pitched for Hollywood and Salem, recently brought about an affirmative answer, when he gave his commanding officer at Camp Roberts in California an unprecedented headache.

“One of Erautt’s training assignments was to fire a machine gun at a lifelike radio-controlled airplane model, scooting overhead. Each soldier was to get 50 shots at the elusive target, but when Erautt finished, there was no model at which to shoot.

“Almost all of the former pitcher’s shot[s] riddled the plane and it was listed as ‘down in flames’ and ruined. Not only had Erautt ended the practice for the other soldiers, but he had spoiled a $1,400 model that was expected to last for many tests, as rookies seldom hit it.”25

By May Erautt was playing ball in Hawaii,26 where his performance was sufficiently impressive to earn him a position on the Army All-Star team that faced a Navy team in the 1944 Service World Series. He made a relief appearance in Game 4, which was less than successful.27 Relieving Johnny Beazley, he gave up four runs to the Navy. Army pinch-hit for him in the sixth, ending his play in the series.28

In early 1944, while Erautt was serving in Hawaii, the Cincinnati Reds sent third baseman Buck Fausett to Hollywood in exchange for an option to sign Erautt for $25,000 before September 1, 1946. The Reds were not guaranteed that Erautt would be out of the service, or able to pitch, as part of the agreement.29 Erautt remained in the service in Hawaii, pitching for the 13th Replacement Depot team until at least September 30, 1945. His enlistment record does not provide a discharge date, but with Cincinnati’s option still pending, Erautt was back on the Hollywood roster in 1946.

“He’s the best young pitcher in the country,” declared Oscar Reichow, the business manager of the Hollywood club.30 Erautt spent all of 1946 pitching for Hollywood, producing a 20-14 won-lost record and a 2.76 ERA, and leading the PCL with 234 strikeouts.31 Given his 1946 performance, the Reds exercised their option and promoted him to the major-league club for 1947.

The 1947 season started well. Near the end of spring training, an Associated Press writer commented: “From observation in the spring training camps, right-handers Eddie Erautt of the Cincinnati Reds, [and others] look like the best bets among the rookie pitchers.”32 Erautt made the Reds’ starting rotation, and made his first start on April 16, the second day of the season, against the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched seven scoreless innings and entered the eighth with a one-run lead. But then, in the words of the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Lou Smith: “[T]he Redbirds caught up with the young fire-baller and lost no time in hanging the K.O. on his well-rounded chin,”33 leaving Erautt with a 4-1 loss.

His second start, on April 20, was less auspicious: In two-plus innings, he gave up five earned runs to the Pirates and absorbed his second loss. On April 23 he started at home against the Cubs. He lasted five innings, gave up three earned runs, and took his third loss. His start against the Phillies on May 15 produced a 10-hit complete game for his first major-league win.

While this was a historic event for Erautt personally, a couple of days before, he witnessed Jackie Robinson’s first appearance in Cincinnati.34 Erautt later recalled the large turnout of African Americans for the May 13, game. “It was all blacks,” he said, adding, “All Robinson had to do was foul a ball off and they cheered. You’d have thought he hit a home run.”35 In an earlier interview, he said: “Jackie Robinson – I really admire him. We both came up in ’47. He’d get thrown at three times a game and go down, but he’d never say anything. He’d just get back up and get his hits.”36

Erautt finished the 1947 season with a 4-9 record and an ERA of 5.07 in 119 innings. Reds manager Johnny Neun still had confidence in him, observing: “Red Lively, Ed Erautt and Kent Peterson pitched brilliantly enough times this season to give me every reason to believe each has an excellent chance to blossom out into an effective hurler in the next couple of years.”37

Spring training in 1948 began on March 1, and the Reds and other teams began exhibition games only a week later. All of the young Reds pitchers suffered losses, Erautt lost to the Yankees on March 13, surrendering a three-run lead in the eighth inning and allowing four runs on six hits. Manager Neun attributed the losses to the lack of early conditioning. Erautt made the Opening Day roster,38 but pitched in only two games, producing an ERA of 6.00. On May 12 he was optioned to the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League.39 He did find some consolation, though, marrying Ruth Shelley, his childhood sweetheart, on May 29.40

After posting a 15-7 record for Syracuse, with a 2.97 ERA in 215 innings, Erautt was recalled by Cincinnati in September, to report to 1949 spring training. He remained with Syracuse and pitched several games in the International League playoffs from September 14 through 28. Meanwhile, the Reds were losing. After 100 games, manager Johnny Neun was replaced by Bucky Walters. The Reds still finished a dismal seventh. Nevertheless, Walters thought the current cast of Reds could do better in 1949.41 The team’s hopes were pinned on several pitchers, including Erautt.42

Erautt missed most of 1949 spring training because of bursitis in his right forearm and did not play until April 3, the final spring training game against a Cardinals “B” team, played in Tampa. But he started the season strong.43 On May 18 the Reds, within one game of a tie for the league lead, defeated the Boston Braves, with Erautt picking up the win in relief.44 Four days later, he started against the Dodgers, facing Don Newcombe, and went eight innings but lost 3-0.45 On May 29, starting the first game of a doubleheader against the Cubs, Erautt produced a four-hit complete game for the 4-1 win, leaving the Reds one game behind the league lead.46

June was different. By the end of the month, Erautt had recorded eight losses. His final start of 1949, on June 29 against the Pirates, was nothing short of a debacle. In 1⅔ innings he gave up five hits, three walks, and six earned runs, on his way to his eighth loss of the year against only three wins.47 For the rest of the season, Erautt pitched out of the bullpen as the Reds sank to another seventh-place finish.48

Just before the end of the season, Walters was replaced as manager by Luke Sewell, who planned to double down on his staff in 1950: “Cincinnati’s pitching was extremely spotty last season [1949],” he said, “yet I believe the pitchers now controlled by the club can be molded into the best pitching staff I ever have managed.”49 The new manager showed no signs of giving up on Erautt, observing that in 1949 he had given up only 99 hits in 112⅔ innings.50

Sewell’s optimism about 1950 appeared warranted when Erautt announced that in the offseason he had been treated by a bone specialist in Portland who had “discovered a liquid calcium deposit in his right shoulder … and drained it off by inserting a hollow needle through the flesh into the calcium and thus eliminated what had been the cause of his pain for four seasons.”51 However, Erautt did not pitch in a single spring-training game due to an infected thumb.52 His Opening Day appearance did not enhance expectations as he entered the game against the Cubs in the ninth inning trailing 6-5, and gave up three runs as the Reds lost.53 For the rest of the season, he appeared in 33 games, mostly in short relief. His first start of the season came on September 7, when he went 10 innings against the Pirates for a 6-4 win.54

Erautt pitched on Opening Day, and in the first game of a doubleheader that ended the 1950 season and was deemed sufficiently improved to remain with the Reds. Tom Swope noted: “Erautt’s case history with the Reds shows plainly it is to a player’s advantage to be rated an expensive chattel. Had Erautt represented only a small investment, the Reds’ management probably would have given up on him at least two years ago.” Swope concluded that Erautt had finished strong, with a 2.79 ERA in his last 12 appearances, and “closed the season as the Reds leading pitcher” with a 4-2 record.55

Despite Swope’s optimism, Erautt’s 1951 season was less than spectacular. Appearing in only 30 games, all in relief, he had no decisions and compiled a 5.72 ERA. The highlight of the season occurred in spring training when Erautt struck out his future fellow Lane Field honoree Ted Williams twice in the same inning; on the other hand, he also allowed the Red Sox six hits and seven runs in that inning.56

On March 23, 1952, the Reds optioned Erautt to the Kansas City Blues. He refused to report, asking to be sent to a Pacific Coast League team. He later explained that Reds GM Gabe Paul had cut his salary in half with the demotion. “I was actually two days away from quitting baseball when Paul called me in, and we reached an agreement. I was determined enough that I never would have played baseball again before I would have taken that big pay cut.”57

Erautt performed well with the Blues. By June 14 he had won nine games in a row and had a record of 11-1.58 His performance was attracting the attention of other major-league teams, most notably the Yankees, Kansas City’s parent club.

Joe McGuff of the Kansas City Star elaborated: “The Yankees would undoubtedly like to come into possession of Ed Erautt and the Reds would probably be willing to part with him in exchange for a couple of power hitters but the possibility of such a transaction is even more than remote because of the waiver rule. [For the Yankees to get Erautt, the seven other National League clubs would have had to pass on him.] … After the great season Erautt is having here he would probably be claimed by all seven clubs.”59 Despite this, Paul offered Erautt to the Yankees, but New York general manager George Weiss declined.60

Erautt won his 20th game on August 24 and finished the regular season with a record of 21-5. A few days before, he had been named to the American Association All-Star Team.61 In three rounds of postseason playoffs, Erautt contributed six victories, but his luck ran out in the deciding game of the Little World Series against International League champion Rochester. Sportswriter McGuff noted that even though he did not have his “usual stuff,” Erautt might have won but for some poor defense behind him. The Blues lost the game, 6-4, and the series, four games to three.

After the 1952 season, Erautt’s star was again rising in Cincinnati. Manager Rogers Hornsby was optimistic about his value and future with the Reds, commenting:

“[Erautt’s] pitching for Kansas City of the Yankee chain … was so excellent the Yankee management would give us a whale of a deal to get him if we were minded to make the deal and could get him out of the league.

“So if he’s good enough for the world’s champions, he certainly is good enough to merit a full opportunity to win for the Reds and that’s what he is going to get.”62

Though expectations were high, by April 3 Erautt had given up 13 runs and 23 hits in 16 exhibition innings. Despite this, he made the varsity. He got a start on May 12 against the Pirates, his first major-league start since 1950. The start was brief, lasting until he was lifted in the second inning after giving up two runs. His sole consolation was that the game was rained out and the rain washed those runs away.63

On May 23 the Reds visited the St. Louis Cardinals, where they left Erautt. He was traded that afternoon for lefty reliever Jackie Collum. That evening Erautt appeared against his former mates and gave up two earned runs in two innings.64

Besides four no-decision games with the Reds, Erautt pitched in 20 games for the Cardinals, winning three and losing one. In 40⅓ innings, he had an ERA of 6.25. He pitched in his final major-league game on September 22, 1953. He appeared in relief in the top of the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Braves and ended the inning facing only three batters and getting the win after the Cardinals rallied.65

On January 26, 1954, Erautt, Dick Sisler, and $100,000 departed St. Louis en route to the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League. In return, the Cardinals received their first Black player, first baseman Tom Alston.66 San Diego liked the deal. Columnist John B. Old suggested that the Padres were now the team to beat in the Pacific Coast League.67 And Erautt was glad to be back in the PCL.68

Erautt pitched on Opening Day for the Padres, facing Cal McLish of the Los Angeles Angels. He turned in a three-hit shutout, winning 5-0.69 He remained the ace of the Padres staff throughout 1954, throwing seven shutouts, the last being a one-hitter on August 13. For the season he finished 16-12 with an ERA of 3.12 in 274 innings. He again finished the season with a sore arm.70

On April 10 Erautt pitched the first game of the 1955 Opening Day doubleheader, and shut out the San Francisco Seals, 2-0, on a two-hitter.71 By June 8 he had compiled a 9-2 record and was acclaimed the hottest pitcher in the league. He was good, but not good enough to make the PCL all-star team.72 He finished the 1955 season with an 18-10 record and a 2.76 ERA in 241 innings.

Despite having considered retirement early in the year, in 1956 Erautt was again one of the Padres’ Opening Day pitchers.73 But time was catching up with the 31-year-old. On August 19 he had suffered his 17th loss against 7 wins and finished the season with a 9-19 record and a 4.71 ERA.74

In 1957 Erautt considered retirement but wanted to see what the Padres would offer. The offer was enough so he returned, but in May the Padres traded him to Vancouver. The Sporting News reported: “[Vancouver] General Manager Cedric Tallis’ gamble in shelling out $5,000 to get Eddie Erautt from San Diego continues to pay off. The veteran right-hander hurled a four-hit, no-walk masterpiece, June 5, to blank Portland 8-0. …”75 By June 12 Erautt had pitched in 52 innings for the Padres and the Mounties, with a 2-4 record, and a 2.25 ERA, but by September 11, arm trouble ended his season.76

When Vancouver sold his contract to San Antonio of the Double-A Texas League in October, Erautt declined to report and on March 12, 1958, asked to be placed on the voluntarily retired list. He said he felt he no longer could get his arm in top shape.77 Years later Erautt talked about his annual sore arm: “Now they’ve got weight rooms and all that medical attention. … When we’d get a sore arm, they’d just spit tobacco on it and say, ‘Go get ’em.’ Teams had just one trainer. … He did it all. …”78

After baseball, Erautt worked for a San Diego lumber company and played amateur ball. In the fall of 1958, he was the player-manager of the Lemon Grove Merchants of the San Diego Winter Industrial League.

A devout Catholic, in the 1960s Ed left the lumber company and took a job at St. John of the Cross Church in Lemon Grove, a San Diego suburb, where he worked as a custodian, handyman, and school-bus driver. His off-work hours were devoted to his family and to youth baseball. He umpired for the Vista La Mesa Little League and for high-school games. According to his daughter, Shelley Ivie, his devotion to the game was such that “if the kids were watching a program and it conflicted with a ballgame, the kids were out of luck.”79

In 1969 Ed’s son, James, signed with the California Angels as a pitcher. His minor-league career lasted three seasons. Jim’s ERA was 3.99, a little higher than Ed’s 3.28 over nine minor-league seasons, but good enough to make a father proud.

Ed’s wife, Ruth, died in 2007, and Ed died in 2013. They are buried at El Cajon Cemetery in San Diego County.80

While Erautt’s record as a major-league pitcher was modest, his performance at the Triple-A level was not. Nor was his life outside of baseball.

An obituary submitted by Janette (Toledo) Hansen, one of the children who rode his school bus, sums it up: “I remember Mr. Erautt being the bus driver for St. John’s school. He used to drive me and my brother and sisters home. We were the last stop so when he would drive up our street he would get on the speaker and say, “Next stop Toledo stop!” One time he even drove the school bus up into our driveway! We would get a big kick out of it because he made us feel special. He was always so friendly and good natured even the last few years when I would run into him in Church, he would always remember me and was always happy to see me. It seemed that no matter what was going on he still managed to be happy.”81

In 1994 baseball historian William Swank interviewed him, and recorded this telling bit of character evidence:

“When I started my Pacific Coast League Padres project in 1994, one of the first things I remember about Ed Erautt was a comment he made when he brought out his scrapbooks.

“He said something to the effect that his wife, Ruth, maintained his scrapbook and she included all the games he pitched … including those he lost.

“As I interviewed more players and looked at more scrapbooks, I understood what he meant. A lot of scrapbooks were filled with ‘good news,’ but no ‘bad news.’

“Eddie was very humble and honest. If he lost a game … if he got blasted … he would own it.

“He was a stand-up guy!”82

Author’s Note

I met Eddie Erautt in May 1955. I was 5 years old at the time. Eddie and my father had been friends in the Army during World War II, and he joined us for lunch at our house near Sacramento. All that I recall of the meeting was that I thought he was a very tall man with a soft voice. The only thing I recall him saying was that I should eat the tops of the green onions that were served at lunch. I have followed that advice ever since.

Acknowledgments

The following people provided me with information that was not publicly available, and many of them were willing to spend time talking with me about Eddie Erautt: family and friends Shelley (Erautt) Ivie, Pat and Mike Bessie; baseball historians William Swank and Gary Bedingfeld; Dana Barton Cress of the Lincoln High School Alumni Association, Portland, Oregon; Alex Olsen, a SABR member who provided the rosters of the Army and Navy teams involved in the 1944 Hawaiian “World Series”; Lisa Schemer, who created the wind glyphs at Lane Field Park, and who provided photos; and Cassidy Lent at the Baseball Hall of Fame, who provided links to Hawaiian newspapers covering the military games in Hawaii.

This biography was reviewed by Warren Corbett and Len Levin and fact-checked by Tim Herlich.

Last revised: February 5, 2023 (zp)

Sources

Statistics and game summaries were obtained from Baseball-Reference.com and Retrosheet.com. Newspaper accounts were obtained through Newspapers.com and The Sporting News.

Notes

1 William Swank, Echoes from Lane Field, A History of the San Diego Padres 1936-1957 (Paducah, Kentucky: Turner, 1997), 6.

2 https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/erauted01.shtml.

3 Dick Dobbins, The Grand Minor League, An Oral History of the Old Pacific Coast League (Emeryville, California: Woodford Press, 1999), 176.

4 Email from Dana Barton Cress of the Lincoln High School Alumni Association, September 7, 2020.

5 At age 15, Ed pitched the Portland Postoffice Pharmacy to the Oregon American Legion Junior Baseball Championships in 1940. In 1941 he encored with Kamm’s Kids, a Legion team named after Kamm Field because the team could find no sponsors. Potential sponsors probably regretted their decisions when the Kids won the Oregon American Legion Junior Championship, with Erautt winning two games. The Kidds ran out of magic at the Northwest Junior Legion Baseball tournament in Lewiston, Idaho, though Eddie did contribute a two-hit, 16-strikeout shutout of Lewiston in the second game of the series. “Junior Title Taken by Pharmacy Club,” Salem (Oregon) Capitol Journal, August 12, 1940: 6; Swank, 130; “Erautt Whiffs 18 in 5 to 2 Win,” Salem Statesman Journal, August 2, 1941: 7; “Kamm Juniors State Champs,” Capitol Journal, August 11, 1941: 6; “Portland Ties Up Baseball Finals,” Twin Falls (Idaho) News, August 20, 1941: 7; “Lewiston Cops Legion Title from K. Kidds,” Salem Statesman Journal, August 20, 1941: 8.

6 Swank, 130.

7 Dobbins, 275.

8 Ed Lightner, “From the Bleachers,” Salem Statesman Journal, December 8, 1942: 7.

9 Dobbins, 275. Another source placed the Brooklyn offer at $12,500 but suggested that Erautt, whom it incorrectly called Bobby, was the season’s highest priced rookie. “Spring Training,” Hollywood Citizen-News, March 11, 1942: 10.

10 “Stars Sign Boy Pitching Wonder,” Los Angeles Times, March 7, 1942: 11, describing the contract’s duration as two years. See also “Young Slab Star Signed by Twinks,” Hollywood Citizen-News, March 7, 1942: 12, which also reported a two-year contract.

11 Ned Cronin, “Name’s Erautt – Remember It!” Los Angeles Daily News, March 7, 1942: 17.

12 Braven Dyer, “Stars Seek Campbell for First-Base Post,” Los Angeles Times, March 15, 1942: 16.

13 Ned Cronin, “Name’s Erautt – Remember It!”

14 “Erautt’s Demon With His B-B Gun,” Los Angeles Times, May 24, 1942: 24.

15 Al Wolf, “Root’s Two-Hitter Dunks Ducks, 7-1,” Los Angeles Times, June 10, 1942: 19, 22.

16 “Father Gives Okay So Son Farmed Out,” Pasadena (California) Post, June 12, 1942: 7; “Hollywood Signs Padre Castoff,” San Pedro (California) News-Pilot, June 19, 1942: 6; “Ed Erautt Will Play for Salem,” Medford (Oregon) Mail Tribune, June 19, 1942: 8.

17 Tigers Add to Lead in Race,“ Tacoma (Washington) News Tribune, July 11, 1942: 17; “Solons Socked Twice Sunday at Tacoma,“ Salem Statesman Journal, June 30, 1942: 7.

18 Ed Honeywell, “Tigers to Move In on Caps,“ Tacoma News Tribune, August 18, 1942: 10.

19 “Twinks Recall Six Players from Minors,“ Los Angeles Daily News, September 4, 1942: 46.

20 “Homer by Babe Herman Gives Stars Benefit Win,“ The Sporting News, April 8, 1943: 2.

21 Dan Walton, “Sports-Log,“ Tacoma News Tribune, April 20, 1943: 17; “Fine Crowd at Portland,“ Tacoma News Tribune, May 8, 1943: 19.

22 “Ed Erautt’s Draft Board Dooms Stars,” Los Angeles Times, June 17, 1943: 31; “Seals Lambast Hollywood 9-4,” Los Angeles Daily News, June 17, 1943: 31.

23 US National Archives and Records Administration. File unit: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946 (Enlistment Records).In the Series World War II Army Enlistment Records, created 6/1/2002-9/30/2002, documenting the period ca. 1938-1946 – Record Group 64. Downloaded October 24, 2020.

24 “Warriors Win on Two Hitter by Ed Erautt,” Tacoma News Tribune, August 31, 1943: 12; “British Columbia Team to Invade Monday,” Tacoma News Tribune, September 10, 1943: 19; “Fort Lewis Wins Game,” Tacoma News Tribune, September 15, 1943: 16; Dan Walton, “Sports-Log,” Tacoma News Tribune, October 20, 1943: 16.

25 Al Wolf, “Sportraits,” Los Angeles Times , April 13, 1944: 23; St. Joseph (Missouri) News-Press/Gazette, May 29, 1944: 9.

26 Lt. C.B. Clarkson, “Schofield Sports Slants,” Honolulu Star-Bulletin, May 19, 1944: 9.

27 Erautt family legend has it that Ed had been fully vaccinated for tropical diseases and had embarked on a troopship about to leave Hawaii when an officer boarded and ordered him off the ship so that he could pitch for the Army. He claimed that his arm hurt from the injections, which might explain his performance in the World Series. Interview with Shelley (Erautt) Ivie, Ed’s daughter, August 30, 2020.

28 Rhiney Rhinelander, “Buzzing from the SEABEE Hive,” Honolulu Star-Bulletin, September 28, 1944: 11; Bill Kim, “Army Bows in Fourth Straight Game, 10 to 5,” Honolulu Advertiser, September 28, 1944: 8. Although the Navy won the first four games of the series, a total of 11 games were played. Erautt played in only one of them. Gary Bedingfield, Baseball in Hawaii During World War II, BiW Publishing. Kindle Edition, 93-100.

29 Tom Swope, “Coast Record Labels Erautt as Red Prize,” The Sporting News, December 18, 1946: 9.

30 Edward Prell, “$50,000 Rookie Mysterious Element in Williams Deal,” Chicago Tribune, December 12, 1945: 31.

31 “Jansen High in Victories, Low in Earned-Run Mark,” The Sporting News, December 4, 1946: 20.

32 Associated Press, “Erautt, Johnson, Ayers, Houtteman Loom as Stars,” Louisville Courier-Journal, April 6, 1947: 51.

33 Lou Smith, “Reds Lead 1-0 – For Seven Heats – Four-Run Rally Sends Rookie To Showers – Miller, Marion, Musial Hit for Circuit/Errorless Ball by Both Sides,” Cincinnati Enquirer, April 17, 1947: 14; “Card Sluggers Beat Reds 4-1,” Abilene (Texas) Reporter-News, April 17, 1947: 4.

34 Jackie Robinson statistics, retrosheet.org. https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/R/Probij103.htm.

35 Jonathan Eig, Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson’s First Season (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2007), Kindle Edition, 127.

36 Swank, Echoes from Lane Field, 130.

37 Tom Swope, “Young Hill Trio to Lift Reds, Neun Believes. Expects Lively, Peterson, Erautt to Join Blackie [Ewell Blackwell] as Winners in ’48,” The Sporting News, October 1, 1947: 12.

38 Swope, “Stallcup, Sauer Measuring Up to Early Billing,” The Sporting News, March 24, 1948: 17, 21.

39 “Ed Erautt Farmed Out,” Tacoma News Tribune, May 14, 1948: 26; “Deals of the Week Majors-Minors,” The Sporting News, May 19, 1948: 32.

40 The Sporting News, June 2, 1948: 26.

41 Swope, “Bucky Insists Reds’ Regulars Can Do Better,” The Sporting News, December 15, 1948: 21.

42 Associated Press, “Blacky Big ‘If’ in Reds’ Hopes to Improve Standing,” Biloxi (Mississippi) Daily Herald, March 8, 1949: 2; Central Press, “Cincy Reds Look Like Second Division Club; Too Many Personnel Problems,” Mansfield (Ohio) News-Journal, April 4, 1949: 11; Swope, “Reds Determined to Rip Off Cellar Rating, Base Hopes for Climb on Improved Play of Holdovers,” The Sporting News, April 27, 1949: 20.

43 Lou Smith, “New Low Is Hit by Club in Losing to Cardinal ‘B’ Aggregation; Bucky’s Outfit Limited to Five Hits – Ed Erautt Hurls Two Frames,” Cincinnati Enquirer, April 4, 1949: 26.

44 “Reds Close In on First Place, Trim Boston Nine 13-9,” Scottsbluff (Nebraska) Daily Star-Herald, May 19, 1949: 6; “Reds Outslug Boston to Move into Third,” Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller, May 19, 1949: 27.

45 May 22 game, retrosheet.org: https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1949/B05221CIN1949.htm.

46“Walters Pleased; Reds, Picked for Cellar, Are 4th,” Biloxi Daily Herald, May 30, 1949: 2.

47 June 29 game, retrosheet.org: https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1949/B06290PIT1949.htm.

48 Erautt’s 1949 pitching log: https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1949/Keraue1010031949.htm.

49 Swope, “Work with Browns Won Cincy Job for Sewell,” The Sporting News, November 2, 1949: 5.

50 Retrosheet: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/erauted01.shtml.

51 Swope, “Reds Hunt a New Reliever After Potter Decides to Quit,” The Sporting News, March 15, 1950: 18.

52 Swope, “Reds Would Be Champs if Citrus Games Counted,” The Sporting News, April 5, 1950: 8; Swope, “Sewell Maps Homework for Hurlers; Keeps Hit-Chart on Opposing Batters,” The Sporting News, April 12, 1950: 8.

53 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B04180CIN1950.htm; Swope, “Patient Reds Finally Rate Erautt Ready,” The Sporting News, December 6, 1950: 21.

54 “Cincy Beats Bucs in 10th,” Columbia (South Carolina) State, September 8, 1950: 33.

55 Swope, “Patient Reds Finally Rate Erautt Ready.”

56 Though the game itself had little significance, Williams’s tough relationship with the fans caused a minor incident when he was accused of spitting at them. Williams denied spitting at the fans but asserted that he had a “lousy cold.” One baseball official opined that “Williams had every right to spit. He had just been fanned twice in the same inning. …” Abilene (Texas) Reporter-News, March 19, 1951: 8; Springfield (Ohio) Daily News, March 20, 1951: 10; Steve O’Leary, “Balky Elbow Sore – So Is the Splinter,” The Sporting News, March 28, 1951: 9.

57 Joe McGuff, “Erautt Looks to Steady Work and Happy to Be with Blues,” Kansas City Star, May 1, 1952: 21.

58 “Erautt Wins Ninth in Row with Fifth Low-Hit Effort,” The Sporting News, June 25, 1952: 25.

59 Dan Daniel, “‘Get Me Another Pitcher,’ Casey Asks Yankee Brass,” The Sporting News, July 30, 1952: 6; McGuff, “Reds Take Close Look at Blues with Possible Eye to Future Deals/Yanks Would Like Erautt, but Probably Can’t Get Him,” Kansas City Star, August 4, 1952: 14.

60 “Blackie Is on Block,” Cincinnati Enquirer, August 28, 1952: 19; “Yanks Won’t Buy Erautt,” Kansas City Times, August 28, 1952: 24.

61 McGuff, “Number of Blues on League All-Star Team Comes as a Surprise,” Kansas City Star, August 22, 1952: 32; McGuff, “Blues to Receive Their All-Star and Outstanding Player Awards,” Kansas City Star, September 10, 1952: 38.

62 Swope, “Rajah and Reds Get Early Start on Roster Changes for Next Year,” The Sporting News, October 22, 1952: 9; Swope, “Rog to Give ‘Sleepers’ Among Reds Their Chances to Rise and Shine,” The Sporting News, February 4, 1953: 19; Rogers Hornsby, “Hornsby Optimistic Over Cincy,” South Gate (California) Daily Press-Tribune, February 14, 1953: 15.

63 “Rain Ended Erautt’s First Start Since September, ’50,” The Sporting News, May 20, 1953: 14.

64 “Cincy Homers Rip Cardinals,” Corpus Christi Caller, May 24, 1953: 40; “Customer Comfort Is Key in Busch Improvements,” The Sporting News, January 27, 1954: 2; Erautt’s 1953 pitching log, retrosheet.org: https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1953/Keraue1010071953.htm.

65 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1953/B09222SLN1953.htm; https:www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/E/Peraue101.htm.

66 “Cards Buy Negro from San Diego,” Evansville (Indiana) Courier, January 27, 1954: 15; “Cards Buy Player from San Diego,” Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald, January 28, 1954: 6. [These two stories were identical; only the headlines differed.] One of the unnamed players turned out to be pitcher Cliff Chambers.

67 John B. Olds, “Starr’s Deals Make Padres Club to Beat,” The Sporting News, February 17, 1954: 22.

68 Much later Erautt explained his feelings to San Diego sports historian William Swank: “In the majors we got $6.00 a day for meals. So, when the Padres offered me the same as the Cardinals, I was glad. I told them to send me as far away from St Louis as possible and I got it. This” – the PCL – “was the league! We’d spend a week in each town and play a doubleheader on Sundays. Mondays were off for travel, and you’d get so tired of playing cards, but all the guys liked this league. The American Association and the International League were for the young guys. This was for older, more experienced players.” Swank, 131.

69 Bob Panella, “Bernier, Pettit Lead Stars Help as PCL Begins Year,” Hollywood Citizen-News, April 6, 1954: 8; John Old, “San Diego Arc Nightcap Lifts Total to 32,669,” Hollywood Citizen-News, April 6, 1954: 8; The Sporting News, April 14, 1954: 35.

70 “Pads’ Erautt Checks Stars on One Hit for 7th Shutout,” The Sporting News, August 24, 1954: 24; John Old, “Pacific Coast League,” The Sporting News, September 22, 1954: 34. Erautt, who had been out for several weeks with a “dead arm,” claimed that but for that he would have started the tiebreaking one-game PCL championship contest against the Hollywood Stars on September 13. The Padres won 7-2. Anthony Tarantino, “Downtown Delight; Five Decades Ago, the PCL Padres Won a One-Game Playoff to Finish on Top of the Minor-League World,” San Diego Union-Tribune, September 13, 2004: E2.

71 “Pacific Coast League,” The Sporting News, April 20, 1955: 32.

72 Peter Hayes, “PCL Baseball,” Contra Costa Gazette (Martinez, California), June 8, 1955: 10.

73 “Ralph, Who Drew High Pay, Finding Others Bargain, Too,” The Sporting News, February 29, 1956, 24; “Padres Close Season Here Winning; 6-5, Erautt to Start PCL Race Against Angels on Tuesday,” Palm Springs (California) Desert Sun, April 7, 1956: 7.

74 “Coast Averages,” The Sporting News, June 27, 1956: 7; “Pacific Coast League,” The Sporting News, August 29, 1956: 26; “Bilko, PCL’s 8-Way Batting Champ, Missed Homer Mark,” The Sporting News, September 26, 1956: 33.

75 “Coast Averages,” The Sporting News, June 19, 1957: 38.

76 “Coast Averages,” The Sporting News, June 19, 1957: 30; “Pacific Coast League,” The Sporting News, September 11, 1957: 40.

77 “Player Transactions,” The Sporting News, October 30, 1957: 25; “Caught on the Fly,” The Sporting News, March 12, 1958: 32.

78 Swank, 131.

79 Interview with Pat Bessie, a family friend, September 12, 2020; interview with Shelley Ivie, daughter, August 31, 2020.

80 findagrave.com. Memorial ID 119981047.

81 Obituary, Conrad Lemon Grove Mortuary, downloaded April 7, 2020.

82 Email from William Swank, September 9, 2020.