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Pitcher, Right-handed; Chicago Cubs 1948-1957; Milwaukee Braves 1958-1960; Chicago White Sox 1960.

The 6'4", 205 pounds, Bob Rush was a hard throwing, mound-stay of the Chicago Cubs during the late 1940s-1950s. He made his major league debut as a 23 year-old in 1948 after only one year of pro ball experience and averaged over 30 starts and over 200 innings per/year from 1949 through 1957.

Very popular with Cubs fans in Wrigley Field during the 1950s. Bob Rush pitcher started 34 games in 1950, completed 19 of them, hurled 255 innings, 3.74 ERA but due to the teams lack of hitting, managed to go only 13-20. From 1949 through 1956, Rush hurling for the usually 7th or 8th place Cubs, posted records of 10-18, 4.07 ERA; 13-20, 3.71ERA; 11-12, 3.83 ERA; 17-13, 2.70 ERA; 9-14, 4.54 ERA; 13-15, 3.77 ERA; 13-11, 3.50 ERA; 13-10, 3.19 ERA. In 1952, Bob Rush added a curve ball to go with his hot fastball, was the second pitcher in the All-Star Game, and collected the win. And in that season he was 17-13, 2.70 ERA.

In the winter of 1957, much to the displeasure of Cub fans, he was traded to the Milwaukee Braves. On the more talented team, he was the club's third starter behind Hall of Famer Warren Spahn and Lew Burdette. Rush posted a fine 10-6 record in 20 starts and helped the Braves win the pennant. He started Game 3 of the World Series but was the losing pitcher when the Braves were shutout. By 1959, the big hurler was mostly used in relief, 31 games, 101 innings, 9 games started, 2.40 ERA. Fans; listen up - Bob Rush was as well-known and as well-liked as Any Cub pitcher in the last 50 years. Thanks for the memories. manager@baseballhistorian.com - Archives