Rube Waddell is Baseball's Most Interesting Man

Rube Waddell was a Major League Baseball pitcher who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. But Waddell's impressive athleticism wasn't the only thing that made him fascinating. For example, during professional games, if a firetruck went by Waddell would immediately leave the field and chase after it. So what else made Waddell stand out? Find out as we explore this unique character.

[petercollin]

In Rube's defense, "beaning" a baserunner for an out was an original rule of the game.

[normanklein]

According to wikipedia: Rube Waddell had an excellent fastball, a sharp-breaking curve, a screwball, and superb control (his strikeout-to-walk ratio was almost 3-to-1). He led the major leagues in strikeouts for six consecutive years. So clearly he was a skilled pitcher and not just a physical freak. Also even though he didn't have much schooling, he was literate.

[THE-HammerMan]

Rube was at bat facing Walter Johnson once, and started walking to the dugout after only two strikes.
The umpire said, "Hey, come back here you got another strike coming!". To which Rube replied over his shoulder, "You can't hit what you can't see!" as he went into the dugout...
Quite a character indeed!

[boataxe]

I wonder how many opposing teams called in false fire reports in order to get a fire truck to go by.

[windlesSpice]

Poor guy just wants to fight fires and damn baseball games keep getting in the way.

[marcm]

You did an amazing job portraying the man and the magnitude of his major league baseball career. Your compassion in describing the man as having what today would be diagnosed as some sort of mental health disability showed your compassion and understanding of the human condition. Thanks for this wonderful post!

[manilafixedgear]

I could imagine the chairman of the ball club asking the local fire department to avoid going past the stadium during games whilst he slips them a brown bag.. I would love to see a movie about this guy, he obviously had his heart in the right place to help people in their time of need and whilst it is decades since his passing it would be fitting that he is remembered by people today. Regards

[jeffbingaman]

Being born in a rural area in the 1800's. Chasing fire trucks which is probably a traditional instinct to help put a fire out.

And was he winning or losing when he went to the bars during the game.

If he was winning he probably figured they won, so the game's over.

[BleedBNG]

Waddell enjoyed waving his teammates off the field and then striking out the side. He actually did so only in exhibition games since official baseball rules prohibit playing with fewer than nine men on the field in regulation play. But in a league game in Detroit, Waddell actually had his outfielders come in close and sit down on the grass to watch him strike out the side.


from Wikipedia... but don't tell anyone)

[jango]

You forgot to mention the part where he we show up at games and walk through the stands while stealing hot dogs and beer from fans.
He’d slam their beers, occasionally get into fist fights and change into his baseball uniform all while walking to the pitchers mound.
Then win the game.

This man is a legend.

[nunestunes]

He would chase fire trucks to help them. When he was a child he would run away and stay at the local fire house. While he had a screw loose I dont think he was nearly as dumb as people make him out to be.

[johnwise]

I don't even like baseball. But, this guys narration is so good and brings the past to life in such a way that I couldn't stop listening and watching this amazing video!!! Bill Kurtis move aside this guys narration truly rocks and as for poor Rube....one wonders what his hall of fame acceptance speech would have been like had he been alive when inducted. I can see it his fans would have had hand held noise makers that sounded just like fire truck sirens. He couldn't have finished a line of his again for this video. It now ranks among the best of anything I've ever come across on YouTube.

[babalon]

I have absolutely no interest in baseball but I love interesting people! Thanks so much for sharing him, I never would have known otherwise.

[guitargeorge]

Rube sounds awesome! Great ball player and humanitarian. Along with his wacky antics and drinking binges, I wish I couldve spent just one weekend hanging out with the guy. Who knows what crazy adventures may ensue, lol!

[kingxgaming]

I’ve heard all of rube Waddells stories before but the way you tell it. Specifically at the end when telling about him saving lives, gives me chills.

[petermcgill]

Very well written, and narrated very humorously. A triumph of strory telling. I laughed myself silly.

[benjaminnavarro]

Thank you for this story, truly a unique and wonderful person. Hope he is in heaven and still pitching-RIP MR WADDELL!

[parzival]

He deserves a Nobel peace prize for his character alone

[peterg]

Well done biography, was impressed that they didn't make him into a clown, but instead took a look into the man himself

[Hollows]

If time travel ever becomes a thing I’m going for a beer with this guy...