Frank Wurm Explained

Frank Wurm
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:27 April 1924
Birth Place:Cambridge, New York
Death Place:Glens Falls, New York
Bats:Switch
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:September 4
Debutyear:1944
Debutteam:Brooklyn Dodgers
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:September 4
Finalyear:1944
Finalteam:Brooklyn Dodgers
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:0–0
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:108.00
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:1
Teams:

Frank James Wurm (April 27, 1924 – September 19, 1993) was an American professional baseball pitcher.

Wurm grew up in Salem, New York and attended Salem Central School. In September 1941, he signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers and began pitching in their farm system. At age 18 in 1942, he pitched for the Olean Oilers and tied the PONY League record for strikeouts in a game. The following February, he was inducted into the United States Army and was shipped out to Sicily by the summer.[1] According to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wurm, then 19 years old, "was one of the first Americans to enter Cassino" but was medically discharged shortly thereafter due to "battle fatigue." He described a friend and fellow soldier dying in his arms after they were both hit by a German artillery shell.[2]

He appeared in one game in Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1944 season. He started the game,[3] giving up four runs while only getting one out, a strikeout.[4]

By 1945, he was a member of the men's basketball team at Middlebury College in Vermont.[5] He eventually captained that team.

After a brief return to the minors in 1946, Wurm voluntarily retired from baseball due to arm injuries.

In July 1967, Wurm, then living in Lake George, New York, was hired as an area scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates.[6]

Born in Cambridge, New York, Wurm died in Glens Falls, New York.

Notes and References

  1. News: Salem Boy Overseas . 7 June 2023 . . 5 August 1943 . 10.
  2. News: Wurm, 20, Southpaw, Product of Olean, N.Y., Veteran of Cassino . 7 June 2023 . . 10 August 1944 . 12.
  3. Web site: Brooklyn Dodgers 6, Boston Braves 4 (2) . retrosheet.org . December 9, 2018 . September 4, 1944.
  4. Web site: Brooklyn Dodgers vs Boston Braves Box Score: September 4, 1944 . . . 7 June 2023 . en.
  5. News: Dodger Hurler On Middlebury Court Squad . 7 June 2023 . . 7 December 1945 . 2.
  6. News: Name Socko Wurm Scout for Pirates . 7 June 2023 . The Glens Falls Times . 12 July 1967 . 19.