Roy Bruner
From BR Bullpen
Walter Roy Bruner
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 165 lb.
- Debut September 14, 1939
- Final Game June 8, 1941
- Born February 10, 1917 in Cecilia, KY USA
- Died November 30, 1986 in St. Matthews, KY USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Kentucky native Roy Bruner spent eight seasons in professional baseball from 1936 to 1947. He spent four of those years (1936-1939) in the minor leagues before getting his first look at big league hitters.
Bruner made his debut in the major leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies on September 14, 1939. He appeared in four games, giving up 22 runs, and lost all four of his decisions. Roy was back with the Phillies in 1940 with no decisions in two appearances and returned again to Shibe Park in 1941. He appeared in 13 games, mostly in relief, losing all three of his decisions and finished out his major league time on June 8, 1941 with a career record of 0-7 and a 5.74 ERA in 19 games.
Roy spent his first three years (1936-1938) in the minor leagues with the Thomasville Orioles of the class D Georgia-Florida League. The right-hander went 2-4 in his first season but popped up to a 12-8 record and a 3.24 ERA in '37, helping his team to the League Championship. In 1938 Roy had his winningest season of his minor league run, with a 19-8 record and a 3.87 ERA.
During the next three seasons (1939-1941), in between his trips to to the big league parks, Bruner spent parts of two seasons (1939-1940) with the Baltimore Orioles of the International League, winning 11 and losing 6 in 1939 and going 7-12 in 1940. In 1941, Roy fell to a 3-6 record in 20 games for the Rochester Red Wings. Bruner spent the next four seasons (1942-1945) serving as a Captain in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
Back from his military service, Bruner was with the Rochester team again in 1946, managing to win three games, but lost nine, for the worst won-lost percentage of his minor league career. The Birmingham Barons of the Southern Association had Roy in 1947 and he went 4-7 in 18 games and called it a career. He finished up his minor league run with a 61-60 record and a 4.28 ERA in 134 games.
After baseball, Bruner owned and operated Bruner Aluminum Company in his native Kentucky until his retirement. He passed away on November 30, 1986 at Humana Hospital-Suburban in Louisville, KY. He was 69 years of age.
