Joe Engel

Joe Engel was a professional baseball pitcher who played in the early 20th century, making his mark in the game from 1912 until 1920. Born in 1893, Engel's career spanned a transformative period in baseball, marked by the transition from the deadball era to a more offense-oriented game. Throughout his time in Major League Baseball, he recorded a win-loss record of 17-23 and maintained an earned run average (ERA) of 3.34, showcasing his ability to keep runs to a minimum during a period when pitching was highly valued. Engel struck out 151 batters and recorded 4 saves over the course of his career, illustrating his effectiveness as a strikeout pitcher. His contributions were particularly significant as the league began to evolve, with pitchers like Engel adapting to changes in hitting strategies and the introduction of new playing styles. Although not a Hall of Famer, Engel’s performances during his playing days reflected the competitive nature of early 20th-century baseball and contributed to the foundation upon which future generations of pitchers would build their careers.