Rube Curry

George Reuben "Rube" Curry (October 10, 1898 – June 11, 1966) was an American pitcher and manager in Negro league baseball. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Curry made his debut for the Chicago Union Giants in 1919 before coming back to his hometown to star for the Kansas City Monarchs.

Rube Curry
Curry at the 1924 Colored World Series
Pitcher / manager
Born: (1898-10-10)October 10, 1898
Kansas City, Missouri
Died: June 11, 1966(1966-06-11) (aged 67)
Chicago, Illinois
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
debut
1920, for the Kansas City Monarchs
Last appearance
1932, for the Kansas City Monarchs
Teams

Newspaper references of the day often spelled his last name "Currie"; however, historians believe his name was actually spelled "Curry," citing his World War I draft registration card;[2] he was also nicknamed "Black Snake" or "King".

In 1918, 19 year-old Curry registered for the WWI draft. He lists his occupation as "Laborer" for the Armour or Armourdale Company in Kansas City, Kansas. He lists his address as 1723 Woodland Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, a location that is about two blocks from today's Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. He also lists his nearest relative as Nelson Curry, living at the same address.[2]

Known for his curveball and control, Curry is described by James A. Riley as "one of the best pitchers of the '20s."[3] He played in all of the first four of the Negro World Series held from 1924 to 1927.

Curry managed in later years, coaching the East team in the 1936 East–West game.

References
  1. "Beat Monarchs in Ninth." Kansas City Star, Kansas City, MO, October 16, 1921, Page 13
  2. "WWI Draft Registration Card for Reuben Curry" Local Board Division 5, Kansas City, Missouri, September 12, 1918
  3. Riley, James A. (2002), The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues, New York: Carroll & Graf, p. 206, ISBN 0786709596
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