Rube Curry Explained

Rube Curry
Position:Pitcher / manager
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Birth Date:1898 10, mf=yes
Birth Place:Kansas City, Missouri
Death Place:Chicago, Illinois
Debutteam:Kansas City Monarchs
Finalteam:Kansas City Monarchs
Teams:

George Reuben "Rube" Curry (October 10, 1898 – June 11, 1966) was an American pitcher and manager in Negro league baseball. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Curry made his debut for the Chicago Union Giants in 1919 before coming back to his hometown to star for the Kansas City Monarchs.

Newspaper references of the day often spelled his last name "Currie"; however, historians believe his name was actually spelled "Curry," citing his World War I draft registration card; he was also nicknamed "Black Snake" or "King".

In 1918, 19 year-old Curry registered for the WWI draft. He lists his occupation as "Laborer" for the Armour or Armourdale Company in Kansas City, Kansas. He lists his address as 1723 Woodland Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, a location that is about two blocks from today's Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. He also lists his nearest relative as Nelson Curry, living at the same address.[2]

Known for his curveball and control, Curry is described by James A. Riley as "one of the best pitchers of the '20s." He played in all of the first four of the Negro World Series held from 1924 to 1927.

Curry managed in later years, coaching the East team in the 1936 East–West game.

External links

and Baseball-Reference Black Baseball stats and Seamheads

Notes and References

  1. http://johndonaldson.bravehost.com/pdf/00795.pdf "Beat Monarchs in Ninth." Kansas City Star, Kansas City, MO, October 16, 1921, Page 13
  2. http://negroleagues.bravehost.com/pdf/002288.pdf "WWI Draft Registration Card for Reuben Curry" Local Board Division 5, Kansas City, Missouri, September 12, 1918