Skip to main content

Sunday School: History Lesson 41

Emory "Bubba" Church was a pitcher with the Phillies from 1950-1952. Like Curt Simmons, Church was a strong-armed Phils farmhand who quickly moved through the minor league system. Following 15 wins at Toronto in 1949, he earned a shot in the big leagues and debuted with the Phillies in 1950. Church had some solid success with the team.

As a rookie, Church was initially used out of the bullpen. By the middle of the 1950 season, Church was inserted into the starting rotation and helped the Phillies win the National League crown with some convincing wins. He won five of his first six starts, including a couple of shutouts.

In mid-September that season, Church took a line drive to his face off the bat of Cincinnati's Ted Kluszewski. Church would be carried off the field on a stretcher. He made one final start that season, but was not used in the World Series.

In 1951, Church started the season slowly. He won just 3 of his first 8 starts. However, starting in late May, he reeled off 5 straight wins including back to back shutouts of the Pirates and Braves. By the end of the season, Church had logged 15 wins, 15 complete games and 4 shutouts. Church also threw a one-hitter against Pittsburgh in August that season.

The next season, Church showed up to spring training out of shape and this bothered Phils manager Eddie Sawyer. As a result, Church pitched in only two games before the Phillies traded him to the Reds for pitcher Kent Peterson and utility man Johnny Wyrostek in May.

Bubba Church's final 3-plus seasons in the Majors did not produce another winning season. He posted a 13-20 combined record with the Reds and Cubs in those years. Church retired in 1955, rather than accept a minor league assignment.

----------------------------

Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE!

BallHype: hype it up!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This Guy Speaks For All of You

This individual, interviewed by FOX 29 on Friday as the Phillies arrived back at Citizens Bank Park, said it best. When asked how he felt regarding the Phillies, he told Steve Keeley that he was, "Stoked, baby!" The unidentified phanatic then proclaimed, "We are talking about the Fightins here, the Fightins! Said!" Check out the media player below, as the transcribed version certainly does not do this phireball of phandom justice. The Phillies forced game 6 of the National League Championship Series with a 4-2 victory over the Giants in San Francisco on Thursday night. Game 6 will feature Roy Oswalt vs. Jonathan Sanchez in a return pitching match up from game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 7:57 pm EST at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Be sure to tune in on 97.3 ESPN's Weekend Sports Guide with Tyrone Johnson this afternoon around 1:15pm to hear me chatting about the Phillies! 97.3 is based in Atlantic City. You can listen live online HERE . _________
Post a Comment
Read more

Who is Your Favorite Willie 'Mays' Hayes?

PhoulBallz.com is wondering which individual who has portrayed Willie "Mays" Hayes is the favorite of the public. Hayes, of course, is the character made famous in the Major League motion picture series. In Major League , Willie "Mays" Hayes was portrayed by budding Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who would go on to action movie superstardom. Snipes has starred in major motion pictures like the Blade trilogy, Passenger 57 , Undisputed and many more. Snipes remains an impact Hollywood actor, despite legal troubles related to income tax evasion. Snipes was replaced for the sequel, Major League II when his busy career, and possibly the film's budget, would not allow him to return, by Omar Epps. Another budding actor, Epps had previously worked with director David S. Ward, on the film The Program , and landed the role of Hayes, who had become a Hollywood action star over the off-season that occured between the two films. Epps' career portraying athletes rol
1 comment
Read more

Wassup with dat? Vito Friscia edition

Friscia, image- Jay Floyd What's up with that Vito Friscia guy?  Well, he's a 24-year-old righty batting catcher that was drafted by the Phillies out of Hofstra University in 2019 with the team's final selection, 1200th overall, in the 40th round. But what's his deal?  Friscia opened the season with Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, where, in 16 games, he notched a .264 batting average with a pair of home runs, five doubles and seven RBI.  Last week, when Triple-A Lehigh Valley needed a reserve backstop, Friscia was promoted to fill their void.  When Rafael Marchan returned from a short stint in the big leagues, Friscia was assigned to the Double-A Reading roster.   Is he just a backup catcher?  For now, it seems that's his role.  But check out this quote from BlueClaws skipper Chris Adamson from earlier this month when I asked him about which player stood out to him as a guy that deserved recognition, but may not be getting it. "Vito Friscia is a guy that, earl
Post a Comment
Read more