Bob Purkey, baseball player, 1954-1966

Bob Purkey

Born: 7/14/1929 in Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Died: 3/16/2008 in Allegheny County, PA, USA

MLB Debut: 1954-04-14 | Final Game: 1966-07-26

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 175 lbs

Full name: Robert Thomas Purkey

Biography

Bob Purkey was a talented pitcher whose career spanned from 1954 to 1966. Born in 1929, Purkey made his mark in Major League Baseball during an era characterized by the transition from the deadball period to a more offense-driven game. He played for several teams, most notably the Cincinnati Reds, where he established himself as a reliable starting pitcher. Over his career, he compiled a record of 129 wins and 115 losses, with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.79. His ability to strike out batters was evident as he recorded 793 strikeouts and contributed with 9 saves throughout his time in the league. Purkey's skill on the mound earned him recognition as a four-time All-Star, highlighting his prominence in the sport during the 1950s and early 1960s. Known for his competitive spirit and effective pitching style, he became a key figure in the Reds' rotation and played a significant role in their success during that era. His contributions to the game have left a lasting legacy, as he remains an important part of baseball history.

Career Pitching Statistics

W L G GS CG SHO SV IP H ER HR BB SO ERA Pitcher PIV
129 115 386 276 92 13 9 2114.7 2170 891 195 510 793 3.79 0

Season-by-Season Pitching

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
387 645 53 71 9 3 6 42 0 38 325 0.110 0.163 0.161 0.325 -4820.8

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.000

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1961 WS CIN 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.000

Playoff Career Pitching

W L G GS SV IP H ER BB SO ERA
0 1 2 1 0 11.0 6 2 3 5 1.64

Playoff Pitching by Year

Year Round Team W L G GS SV IP H ER BB SO ERA
1961 WS CIN 0 1 2 1 0 11.0 6 2 3 5 1.64

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
P 386 276 184 464 23 32

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Pitcher 386

Awards & Honors

Year Award Notes
1962 TSN All-Star P

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1962 Cy Young Award ML 3rd 1.0 20 1
1962 Most Valuable Player NL 8th 33.0 280 0
1958 Most Valuable Player NL 19th 4.0 336 0