Roxey Roach
From BR Bullpen
Wilbur Charles Roach
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 160 lb.
- Debut May 2, 1910
- Final Game September 30, 1915
- Born November 28, 1882 in Anita, PA USA
- Died December 26, 1947 in Bay City, MI USA
[edit] Biographical Information
"Wilbur Roach . . . helped Lancaster win the pennant in the Tri-State League last year. . ." - Sporting Life of February 19, 1910
"Wilbur Roach is playing a bang-up game in short field for the New York Americans . . . The former Lancaster player is one of the finds of the season." - from Sporting Life, June 4, 1910
"Shortstop Wilbur Roach is playing a strong game for Jersey City and has strengthened that team." - Sporting Life issue of July 1, 1911
Wilbur "Roxey" Roach got most of his at-bats with the New York Highlanders in 1910 and the Buffalo Blues in 1915. Hal Chase, who was the same age as Roxey, was a teammate on both teams.
It was reported in 1913 that he was an avid hunter, owning a fishing and hunting preserve of 80 acres in Michigan along with another ballplayer.
He was apparently always known as Wilbur during his earlier years as a ballplayer, but then was called Roxey during his later years. He may have been given the nickname in remembrance of another ballplayer named Roxey Roach, a catcher, who played in the 1890's.
One source says he played in the minors through 1922, at the AA level. He had business interests in Windber, PA.
