Rogovin, Saul

Saul Walter Rogovin

Rogovin, a member of the New York Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, had his career year in 1951, when he led the league with a sparkling 2.78 ERA while pitching for the Chicago White Sox. When asked during the season how he was so successful handling the better hitters in the league, Saul responded, in classic baseball fashion: "Well, there are high ball hitters and there are low ball hitters. I throw low to the high ball hitters and high to the low ball hitters." Of Dolly Stark's attempt to make another "Hank Greenberg" out of him early in his career, Rogovin said: "I have a strong arm, but I never could hit like Greenberg. The only thing that we have in common is that we're Jewish." After retiring, he returned to school while in his fifties, earned a degree, and became an English teacher.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. October 10, 1923 - d. January 23, 1995

Career Highlights:
Originally a third baseman, Rogovin began his major league career as a pitcher with the Detroit Tigers in 1949. After appearing in 5 games during his rookie season, he went 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 1950. He also hit a grand slam against the Yankees. The following season, Rogovin was outstanding as he began the year with the Tigers before being traded to the White Sox in May. Saul finished the season with a league-leading 2.78 ERA and a record of 12-8. He started 22 games for the Sox and completed an astonishing 17 of them, including 3 shutouts. In 1952, Saul went 14-9 with a 3.85 ERA and pitched perhaps the best game of his career, striking out 14 Red Sox in 16 innings before being relieved. Although Saul had arm problems throughout his career, he managed to remain in the majors for another 4 seasons. He played with the White Sox in 1953, then split the 1955 season between the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies. He continued to hurl for the Phillies through 1957, then retired. Saul is a member of the New York Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Career Dates:
Rogovin pitched for the Detroit Tigers, 1949-51, the Chicago White Sox, 1951-53, the Baltimore Orioles, 1955, and the Philadelphia Phillies, 1955-57.

Position:
Pitcher

Physical description:
6'2", 205 pounds
Right-handed

Career Statistics:
Wins: 48
Losses: 48
Winning pct.: .500

ERA: 4.06

Games: 150
Games Started: 121
Complete Games: 43

Innings Pitched: 883.2
Hits Allowed: 888
Bases-on-Balls: 308
Strike Outs: 388

Shut-outs: 9

Relief Pitching
Wins: 3
Losses: 1
Saves: 2

Batting
At-bats: 300
Hits: 54
Home Runs: 3
Batting Average: .180

Fielding Statistics
Put-outs: 57
Assists: 131
Errors: 14
Double Plays: 14

Total Chances per Game: 1.3
Fielding avg: .931

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