Red Faber

Red-faber

Urban Clarence "Red" Faber (1888–1976) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played his entire career for the Chicago White Sox. Born in Cascade, Iowa, Faber made his major league debut in 1914 and quickly became a key part of the White Sox pitching staff. Over his 20-year career, he became known for his mastery of the spitball, a pitch that was later banned in 1920. However, Faber was one of 17 pitchers allowed to continue using the pitch for the remainder of their careers.

Early Life

Faber was born on September 6, 1888, in Cascade, Iowa. He played baseball in various minor leagues before making his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox in 1914.

Major League Career

Faber's major league career spanned from 1914 to 1933, all with the Chicago White Sox. He was a key figure in the White Sox's 1917 World Series championship, winning three games in the series. Faber missed the 1919 World Series, which was infamous for the Black Sox Scandal, due to injury. Over his career, Faber won 254 games, lost 213 games, and had an earned run average (ERA) of 3.15. He was known for his durability, completing 273 of his 669 career starts.

Pitching Style

Faber was one of the last legal spitball pitchers in baseball. His ability to control the spitball, along with a strong fastball and good control of his other pitches, made him a formidable opponent on the mound. Despite the ban on the spitball in 1920, Faber was grandfathered in and allowed to continue using the pitch throughout his career.

Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from baseball, Faber remained involved in the game, serving as a coach and scout for several teams. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964. Faber passed away on September 25, 1976, in Chicago, Illinois.

Faber's legacy in baseball is marked by his longevity in the game, his success as a spitball pitcher, and his contributions to the Chicago White Sox's early successes. He remains a beloved figure in White Sox history and is remembered as one of the game's great pitchers.

See Also

• List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders
• List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise