Eppa Rixey
Inducted:
1963
Player Details
6-5, 210lb (196cm, 95kg)
Born:
May 3, 1891
Culpeper, Virginia, U.S.
Died:
February 28, 1963
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Position:
Pitcher
College:
University of Virginia
Eppa Rixey (born May 3, 1891 in Culpeper, Virginia – died February 28, 1963 in Cincinnati) was a durable and accomplished left‑handed pitcher who starred from 1912 to 1933. He debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies before flourishing with the Cincinnati Reds after a 1921 trade.
In 1922 he led the National League with 25 wins and over 313 innings pitched. Rixey posted a career record of 266–251 with a 3.15 ERA over 4,494.2 innings, which stood as the NL career wins record for a left-hander until Warren Spahn broke it in 1959. He recorded at least nine seasons with ERA under 3.00 and completed 290 games.
Respected for his control and intelligence on the mound, he taught Latin and studied chemistry during the offseason. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1963 by the Veterans Committee, Rixey is remembered for his consistency, work ethic, and character as much as his longevity and winning.
Rixey's Awards and Records
- NL wins leader (1922)
- Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame
- NL career wins record for left‑handers (266) until Warren Spahn surpassed it in 1959
- Completed 290 games over 21 seasons, demonstrating remarkable durability
- Fielded a position errorless season in 1917 handling 108 chances without an error
MLB Records
- Most wins by a National League left-handed pitcher (266)
- Led the NL in wins and innings pitched in 1922
- Nine seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA, including a career-best 1.85 ERA in 1916
- Handled 108 fielding chances without a single error
MLB Teams:
Philadelphia Phillies (1912–1917, 1919–1920)
Cincinnati Reds (1921–1933)
MLB Stats
Seasons:
1912–1933 (21 seasons)
Games Played:
692
Win–Loss Record:
266–251
Earned Run Average (ERA):
3.15
Strikeouts:
1,350
Innings Pitched:
4,494.2
Complete Games:
290
Shutouts:
37
Saves (as reliever):
14