Rex Barney

From BR Bullpen

Rex Edward Barney

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 185 lb.

Debut August 18, 1943
Final Game September 4, 1950
Born December 19, 1924 in Omaha, NE USA
Died August 12, 1997 in Baltimore, MD USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Pitcher Rex Barney joined the Brooklyn Dodgers as an 18 year old in 1943. He struck out Joe DiMaggio with the bases loaded in the 1947 World Series. He had his finest season the following year, winning 15 games and striking out 138, and hurled a no-hitter against the New York Giants on September 9th, 1948. Barney appeared to be on the verge of stardom, but various injuries caused him to retire before the age of 30. Throughout his playing days, he was plagued by a lack of control, and he ended his career with more walks than strikeouts. Dick Young wrote that he would have been a great pitcher "if home plate were high and outside."

Barney later became a well regarded public address announcer for the Baltimore Orioles, where he served from 1974 to 1997. When he died, the Orioles played a game without any announcements in his honor.