Russ Derry

Alva Russell Derry

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.
• Debut July 4, 1944
• Final Game September 30, 1949
• Born October 7, 1916 in Princeton, MO USA
• Died October 26, 2004 in Kansas City, MO USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Debuting with the 1944 New York Yankees, Russ set modern era major league records by recording three games with 5 or more RBI among the first fifty games of his career, and three grand slam home runs in the first 50 games of his career. Those two records resulted from the same three games, all home wins at Yankee Stadium: in the first game of a double-header against the Chicago White Sox on August 13th, 1944; on opening day against the Boston Red Sox on April 17th, 1945; and in the first game of a double-header against the Washington Senators on April 29th, 1945. Russ is the only Yankee with grand slam home runs in two April home games in the same season. He and Bobby Murcer (on April 9th, 1981) are the only Yankees with opening day grand slam home runs at Yankee Stadium.

In 2008 Derry was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.

• HR Titles

1938 Western Association 24

1939 Piedmont League 40, also led league in Runs - 117

1949 International League 42

1950 International League 30, also led league in RBI - 102