Rube Lutzke
Born: 11/17/1897 in Milwaukee, WI, USA
Died: 3/6/1938 in Granville, WI, USA
MLB Debut: 1923-04-18 | Final Game: 1927-09-13
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Walter John Lutzke
Biography
Rube Lutzke, born in 1897, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1923 to 1927. Primarily known as a position player, Lutzke played in a total of 572 games throughout his career. He recorded 468 hits, contributing to a batting average of .249. While not known for his power, Lutzke managed to hit 4 home runs and drove in 223 runs during his tenure. He also showcased his speed on the bases, accumulating 23 stolen bases, a notable feat during an era where base running was a critical aspect of the game.
Lutzke's career unfolded in the Roaring Twenties, a period marked by significant changes in baseball, including the rise of the live-ball era and the increasing popularity of the sport. While he may not have been a superstar, Lutzke's consistent performance and reliability as a position player reflected the competitive spirit of the time and contributed to the teams he played for. His legacy is emblematic of the many players who shaped the game in the early 20th century, bridging the gap between the deadball era and the more explosive offensive styles that would follow.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 572 | 1876 | 216 | 468 | 87 | 18 | 4 | 223 | 23 | 179 | 196 | 0.249 | 0.319 | 0.321 | 0.641 | -4872.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | CLE | AL | 143 | 511 | 71 | 131 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 65 | 9 | 59 | 57 | 0.256 | -809.0 |
| 1924 | CLE | AL | 106 | 341 | 37 | 83 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 4 | 38 | 46 | 0.243 | -832.5 |
| 1925 | CLE | AL | 81 | 238 | 31 | 52 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 26 | 29 | 0.218 | -1175.9 |
| 1926 | CLE | AL | 142 | 475 | 42 | 124 | 28 | 6 | 0 | 59 | 6 | 34 | 35 | 0.261 | -1064.7 |
| 1927 | CLE | AL | 100 | 311 | 35 | 78 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 41 | 2 | 22 | 29 | 0.251 | -990.8 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 13 | 0 | 29 | 30 | 1 | 6 |
| 3B | 553 | 0 | 676 | 1222 | 110 | 108 |
| SS | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | CLE | 3B | 141 | 0 | 181 | 354 | 35 | 23 |
| 1923 | CLE | SS | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1924 | CLE | 2B | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1924 | CLE | 3B | 103 | 0 | 154 | 238 | 22 | 25 |
| 1925 | CLE | 2B | 10 | 0 | 22 | 27 | 1 | 5 |
| 1925 | CLE | 3B | 69 | 0 | 61 | 129 | 13 | 9 |
| 1926 | CLE | 3B | 142 | 0 | 160 | 302 | 19 | 27 |
| 1927 | CLE | 3B | 98 | 0 | 120 | 199 | 21 | 24 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 13 |
| Third Base | 554 |
| Shortstop | 2 |