Roy Weatherly – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Roy Weatherly stands out as one of baseball’s most intriguing players from the 1930s and 1940s. He was a small-statured outfielder who packed surprising power and spent 14 seasons in professional baseball.

At just 5 feet 6 inches tall and 170 pounds, Weatherly constantly defied expectations. His career ran from 1936 to 1950 in the major leagues.

The Texas native, nicknamed “Stormy,” played for three major league teams: the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and New York Giants. He retired from professional baseball in 1950 after his final season with the Giants.

He became known for consistent hitting, versatility in the outfield, and winning a World Series championship with the Yankees in 1943. Weatherly’s journey included a big interruption when he served in the United States Army during World War II, missing the 1944 and 1945 seasons.

From his early days in the minors to his last appearance on October 1, 1950, Weatherly’s story covers the golden age of baseball, wartime service, and the determination of a player who overcame physical limitations. He finished with a career batting average of .286, along with 43 home runs and 290 RBIs across 811 major league games.

He played a key role in his teams’ success during a transformative era in baseball history.

Early Life and Background

Cyril Roy Weatherly was born on February 25, 1915, in Warren, Texas. He picked up his famous nickname “Stormy” during his youth.

His early years in East Texas shaped his path to professional baseball. He would eventually make his mark in the major leagues.

Birthplace and Family

Roy Weatherly came into the world in Warren, Texas, a small town in Tyler County in the eastern part of the state. His full name was Cyril Roy Weatherly, though most people just called him Roy.

Warren was a rural community with a typical small-town Texas upbringing back in the early 20th century. The area was known for its timber industry and agricultural roots.

Weatherly spent his formative years in this East Texas environment. The region’s strong baseball culture helped nurture his athletic talents from an early age.

He later died on January 19, 1991, in Woodville, Texas, staying close to his East Texas roots throughout his life. However, he was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg, Ohio, reflecting his later connections to the Cleveland area where he played much of his professional career.

Nickname ‘Stormy’

Roy Weatherly picked up the nickname “Stormy” during his youth, and it stuck with him for his entire professional baseball career. Many fans and teammates actually knew him better as Stormy than by his given name.

No one really knows exactly how the nickname started, but it probably reflected something about his personality or playing style. “Stormy” hints at intensity, maybe even a bit of a fiery temperament on the field.

The nickname fit him well. He went on to have a dynamic career in the major leagues, and the name captured the spirited nature that defined the way he played.

Youth and Baseball Beginnings

Weatherly started playing organized baseball as a teenager in Texas. The state’s deep baseball tradition gave young players plenty of opportunities to develop their skills.

He showed natural talent as an outfielder pretty early on. His left-handed batting stance and solid defensive skills made him stand out among local players.

By 1934, at just 19, Weatherly had made enough progress to begin his professional career in the minor leagues. He started with the Opelousas Indians in the Evangeline League, where he posted an impressive .346 batting average in his first pro season.

That strong debut caught the attention of major league scouts. His success in Louisiana set him up for his eventual rise to the Cleveland Indians organization.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Roy Weatherly played in the major leagues for 10 seasons from 1936 to 1950. He appeared in 811 games across three teams.

His career batting average of .286 included 43 home runs and 290 RBIs. His best season came in 1940 when he finished eleventh in AL MVP voting.

Debut with Cleveland Indians

Weatherly made his MLB debut on June 27, 1936, with the Cleveland Indians at age 21. In his first game against Boston, he collected 3 hits in 5 at-bats with 4 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

He spent seven seasons with Cleveland from 1936 to 1942. Even though he was just 5 feet 6½ inches tall and 173 pounds, he became a reliable contributor for the Indians.

His breakout season came in 1940 when he batted .303 with career highs in several categories. That year, he set personal bests in runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, and RBIs for the contending Indians team.

Weatherly’s performance in 1940 earned him recognition as one of the American League’s top players. He finished eleventh in the AL Most Valuable Player voting that season.

Seasons with New York Yankees

The Yankees picked up Weatherly in a trade after the 1942 season. He played for New York during the 1943 and 1946 seasons.

He missed 1944 and 1945 while serving in the United States Army during World War II. His most notable moment with the Yankees came during the 1943 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Weatherly appeared as a pinch hitter in Game 2, popping out in the eighth inning against pitcher Mort Cooper. The Yankees lost that game, but it was their only defeat in the series.

New York won the 1943 World Series in five games, giving Weatherly his only championship ring. The war years interrupted what could have been his prime playing seasons.

Military service was common for players during this period, and Weatherly returned to baseball after completing his duty.

Time with New York Giants

Weatherly ended his MLB career with the New York Giants in 1950. His final game came on October 1, 1950, against the Boston Braves, where he went hitless in 3 at-bats.

By then, the 35-year-old outfielder mostly played in a limited role. His playing time had dropped off from his earlier years with Cleveland and New York.

The Giants were his third and last MLB team. His time there was short but marked the end of a decade-long major league career.

Key Achievements and Recognitions

Weatherly finished with 794 hits, 152 doubles, 44 triples, and 43 home runs. He kept up a .975 fielding percentage while playing all three outfield positions.

His 1940 season with Cleveland was his career highlight. The .303 batting average and eleventh-place AL MVP finish marked the peak of his major league performance.

Career Highlights:

• World Series champion (1943)
• AL MVP voting (11th place, 1940)
• .286 career batting average
• 811 games played across 10 seasons

Despite his small size, Weatherly hit more than 100 home runs in minor league baseball. His professional career stretched from 1934 to 1958, spanning over two decades.

Career Highlights and Notable Moments

Roy Weatherly’s major league career featured his exceptional 1940 season with the Cleveland Indians, where he earned MVP consideration. His biggest postseason appearance came with the New York Yankees in the 1943 World Series.

1940 Season Performance

Weatherly’s 1940 season was the peak of his baseball career. Playing for the Cleveland Indians, he appeared in 135 games and put up impressive offensive numbers.

He batted .303 with 175 hits in 578 at-bats, scoring 90 runs and driving in 59. His power numbers included 35 doubles, 11 triples, and 12 home runs, totaling 268 bases.

Weatherly earned an 11th place finish in MVP voting. His 3.1 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) ranked among his career-best marks.

That year really represented a breakthrough for the outfielder. His .799 OPS and 106 OPS+ showed he performed above league average, making him a reliable offensive contributor in Cleveland’s outfield rotation.

Standout Games and Statistics

Throughout his career, Weatherly kept up consistent offensive production. His career batting average of .286 came from 794 hits in 811 Major League games.

He played center field, right field, and left field, showing his versatility. His speed showed in his 42 career stolen bases, though he was caught stealing 50 times.

One of his best seasons was his 1936 rookie campaign, when he batted .335 in 84 games. That season he tallied 117 hits, including 28 doubles and 6 triples.

He often reached double digits in doubles for multiple seasons. He recorded 20 or more doubles in five different years, which really shows off his gap-hitting ability.

Participation in the 1943 World Series

Weatherly joined the New York Yankees in 1943, giving him a shot at baseball’s biggest stage. The Yankees reached the World Series that year, facing the St. Louis Cardinals.

During the regular season with New York, Weatherly appeared in 77 games. He batted .264 with 74 hits, helping the Yankees win the American League pennant.

In the 1943 World Series, Weatherly made a brief appearance. He had one plate appearance and one at-bat, going hitless in his only World Series chance.

The Yankees lost the series to the Cardinals in five games. Even though the team lost, Weatherly had achieved the dream of reaching the World Series, the highest level of postseason play in Major League Baseball.

Military Service and Post-War Comeback

Roy Weatherly’s baseball career got interrupted by World War II military service in 1944 and 1945. After completing his military duties, he returned to professional baseball and kept playing until 1950.

World War II Military Service

Weatherly served in the United States military during World War II from 1944 to 1945. His service came just after the New York Yankees acquired him from the Cleveland Indians in December 1942.

The military service made Weatherly miss two full seasons of Major League Baseball. A lot of professional athletes did the same during World War II, as the country mobilized for the war effort.

During his absence, Weatherly’s spot on the Yankees roster sat empty. Many players wondered if they’d be able to return to their former level of play after military service.

Return to Baseball

Weatherly returned to professional baseball in 1946 after completing his military service. He picked up his career and kept playing until 1950, showing that his skills had survived the two-year break.

His post-war career included several more seasons in the majors. Weatherly played for multiple teams during this stretch, including the New York Giants.

He kept his reputation as a solid player after returning. Weatherly continued to show the same abilities that made him valuable before the war.

He wrapped up his career in 1950 at 35 years old. His last game was on October 1, 1950, closing out a career that spanned two decades, even with the military interruption.

Retirement, Later Career, and Life After Baseball

Roy Weatherly’s Major League Baseball career wrapped up on October 1, 1950, with the New York Giants. That marked the end of a 14-year MLB journey.

After baseball, he stayed involved in minor league baseball and eventually returned quietly to his Texas roots.

Final MLB Appearance in 1950

Weatherly played his last Major League game on October 1, 1950. He suited up for the New York Giants against the Boston Braves.

He went 0-for-3 at the plate that day, closing out his big league career. The 1950 season with the Giants didn’t last long for Weatherly.

At 35, he was past his best years with the Cleveland Indians. His final MLB stats show a .286 career batting average, 43 home runs, and 290 RBIs over 811 games.

Weatherly’s time with the Giants wrapped up a career that started back in 1936 with Cleveland. After he missed the 1944 and 1945 seasons for military service in World War II, he struggled to find his old form.

Minor League and Post-MLB Involvement

After he left the majors, Weatherly stayed involved in baseball through the minor leagues. He kept playing professionally until 1958.

That’s nearly 25 years in organized baseball, which is honestly impressive. The minor leagues let Weatherly keep close to the game he loved.

During those years, he hit more than 100 home runs in the minors, proving he still had power despite standing just 5-foot-6. In the later part of his playing days, he offered veteran leadership to younger players.

Those final years in baseball helped him transition from playing to retirement.

Personal Life and Legacy

Once he left baseball behind, Weatherly returned to Texas. He lived quietly there until he passed away on January 19, 1991, in Woodville, Texas.

He was 75 when he died. Weatherly was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg, Ohio, which kind of ties him back to his Midwest playing days.

People kept calling him “Stormy” long after his career ended. That nickname stuck with him.

He grew up in Tyler County, Texas, and saw baseball change a lot from the 1930s to the 1990s. His 1940 season with Cleveland, when he batted .303 and finished 11th in AL MVP voting, really stood out as his best year.

Roy Weatherly’s Impact on Baseball

Roy Weatherly brought consistent outfield play and flexibility to three major league teams over his ten-year career. He gave the Cleveland Indians reliable defense and timely hitting, and he even contributed to a World Series championship with the New York Yankees.

Playing Style and Reputation

People called Roy Weatherly “Stormy” because of his aggressive style and competitive edge. He stood just 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 170 pounds, but he made up for it with speed and sharp instincts.

Weatherly’s versatility became his biggest strength. He started out as a right fielder with the Cleveland Indians, but he quickly showed he could handle center field too.

Managers liked having him around because he could fill in at different outfield spots when needed.

Key Playing Characteristics:

• Left-handed batter, right-handed thrower
• Career .286 batting average over 811 games
• 43 home runs and 290 RBIs in MLB career
• Strong defensive skills across all outfield positions

He focused more on making contact and getting on base than hitting for power. That approach fit the strategies of the 1930s and 1940s, when teams cared more about steady production than home run totals.

Influence on Teams

Weatherly made his biggest impact during his years with the Cleveland Indians from 1936 to 1942. He joined the club while they were rebuilding, and he played a big part in setting up their competitive run in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

The New York Yankees picked up Weatherly in 1943. That’s when he really left his mark on baseball history.

He played in the 1943 World Series and earned a championship ring when the Yankees beat the St. Louis Cardinals. That World Series appearance probably counted as the high point of his career.

Team Contributions:

• Cleveland Indians: Main outfielder during the team’s turnaround years
• New York Yankees: Won the World Series in 1943
• New York Giants: Brought veteran leadership in his last MLB season (1950)

People noticed his leadership qualities more as his career went on. After he came back from military service in 1946, Weatherly brought a lot of experience and passed on his know-how to younger players.

Weatherly’s steady play gave his teams some breathing room to work on other areas. Managers trusted him to deliver solid defense and dependable offense as a veteran outfielder.