When many of us hear the name of Rube Foster, we think of the pioneer Negro Leagues player and manager and understand why he is in Baseball's Hall of Fame. When we hear the name George Foster, it is easy to think of the power hitting OF who once slugged over 50 HR for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s. However, there was an early 20th Century pitcher for the Boston Red Sox named George "Rube" Foster who pitched from 1913-1917. Even using baseball reference.com, when Rube Foster is searched for, even when the reference is for the former Red Sox pitcher, the great Rube Foster for the Negro Leagues comes up, and rightly so. The legendary Andrew "Rube" Foster's impact on the game of professional baseball will never be forgotten.
George "Rube" Foster made his MLB debut pitching for the Red Sox on April 10, 1913. The RHP pitched in a total of 19 games that season, going 3-3, 3.16 with 8 games started. His 1914 season was arguably his best, as Foster went 14-8, 1.70, pitching to a 1.020 WHIP. A year later, Foster won a career high 19 games and two more in the World Series for the Red Sox against the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies. In 1916, Foster spent some time in the Red Sox bullpen as the Red Sox had maybe one of the best overall pitching staffs in the history of MLB. The starting rotation consisted of Babe Ruth, Dutch Leonard, Carl Mays and Ernie Shore. Foster was the 5th starter and also worked in relief, joining "Sad" Sam Jones and Herb Pennock. They had "Smokey" Joe Wood in 1915, which made the staff even more star studded. The Red Sox, of course, won the 1916 World Series over the Brooklyn Robins, winning also in 5 games.
After the 1916 season, Foster developed some arm trouble after 17 games, 16 starts where he went 8-7. He would not pitch again professionally until the 1923 season when he pitched for Vernon of the Pacific Coast League. His last two professional seasons saw Foster lose a total of 33 games for the Oakland Oaks of the PCL. He would retire from baseball after the 1925 season at age 37, long before passing away on March 1, 1976 at age 88.
George "Rube" Foster made his MLB debut pitching for the Red Sox on April 10, 1913. The RHP pitched in a total of 19 games that season, going 3-3, 3.16 with 8 games started. His 1914 season was arguably his best, as Foster went 14-8, 1.70, pitching to a 1.020 WHIP. A year later, Foster won a career high 19 games and two more in the World Series for the Red Sox against the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies. In 1916, Foster spent some time in the Red Sox bullpen as the Red Sox had maybe one of the best overall pitching staffs in the history of MLB. The starting rotation consisted of Babe Ruth, Dutch Leonard, Carl Mays and Ernie Shore. Foster was the 5th starter and also worked in relief, joining "Sad" Sam Jones and Herb Pennock. They had "Smokey" Joe Wood in 1915, which made the staff even more star studded. The Red Sox, of course, won the 1916 World Series over the Brooklyn Robins, winning also in 5 games.
After the 1916 season, Foster developed some arm trouble after 17 games, 16 starts where he went 8-7. He would not pitch again professionally until the 1923 season when he pitched for Vernon of the Pacific Coast League. His last two professional seasons saw Foster lose a total of 33 games for the Oakland Oaks of the PCL. He would retire from baseball after the 1925 season at age 37, long before passing away on March 1, 1976 at age 88.
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