Ken Raffensberger


Kenneth David Raffensberger was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1939 through 1954, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs. Raffensberger batted right-handed and threw left-handed. He was born in York, Pennsylvania.

Career

In a 15-season career, Raffensberger posted a win-loss record of 119–154 with 806 strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA in 2151.2 innings pitched. His career winning percentage was.463, despite being an all-star and having an above average career ERA.
Raffensberger started his career as a fastball pitcher, particularly gaining success with his rising fastball. Towards the later end of his career, however, starting in the early 1940s, he developed a dependable forkball to complement his fastball, slow curve, and change. He had one of the widest ranges of deliveries in the majors, ranging from underhand to overhand and a variety of side arm and three-quarter deliveries in between. Stan Musial said in 1964 of Raffensberger:
Raffensberger died in York, Pennsylvania, at age 85.

Achievements