Al Epperly – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Albert “Tub” Paul Epperly stands out as one of baseball’s more intriguing stories of grit and persistence, stretching across more than a decade in pro baseball. Born in Glidden, Iowa, back in 1918, this left-handed hitting pitcher left his mark on Major League Baseball even while dealing with the chaos of World War II and the tough, scrappy world of 1940s baseball.

Epperly’s MLB career ran from 1938 to 1950, highlighted by stints with the Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Dodgers before he called it quits at 32. He went from small-town Iowa to the big leagues, pitching winter ball in Cuba and spending years in military service that broke up what might’ve been a longer run.

Al Epperly’s story gives us a glimpse into mid-20th century baseball, when players often worked second jobs and military service could derail a promising career. After baseball, he worked as a law enforcement officer in Iowa—just one example of the winding paths players took back then. His story is unique, but it also feels like a snapshot of a whole generation of ballplayers.

Career Overview and MLB Debut

Albert Paul Epperly kicked off his pro baseball career at 18, when the Boston Red Sox signed him as an amateur free agent in 1936. He broke into the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1938, but his MLB career ended up spanning just 14 games over two different stretches.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Al Epperly was born May 7, 1918, in Glidden, Iowa. He went to Glidden High School, where his baseball skills started to turn heads.

He stood 6 feet 2 inches and weighed 194 pounds, swinging lefty and throwing righty. People called him “Tub” because of his solid build.

Epperly caught the eye of scouts during his high school days. His play in Iowa set the stage for his future in pro ball.

Signing with the Boston Red Sox Organization

The Boston Red Sox signed Epperly as an amateur free agent before the 1936 season. At just 18, he probably couldn’t imagine his career would last 17 seasons.

The Red Sox sent him to the Eau Claire Bears in the Class D Northern League. That first year, Epperly went 13-8 with a 4.41 ERA.

He tossed 196 innings and helped his team win the playoffs. That was only the first of eight seasons with double-digit wins in the minors.

The Chicago Cubs got Epperly from the Red Sox through a minor league arrangement with Eau Claire. He moved to the Moline Plowboys in 1937, where he went 14-6 and helped win another playoff title.

Major League Debut with the Chicago Cubs

Al Epperly debuted in MLB on April 25, 1938, at just 19, pitching for the Chicago Cubs. His first start turned into a wild 21-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

He wore number 56 for the Cubs. Over nine games, he put up a 2-0 record before the team sent him down to the Indianapolis Indians of the American Association.

At the plate, he got eight at-bats, picked up two hits, including a double, and scored twice. Unfortunately, an arm injury in 1938 changed the direction of his career.

The Cubs won the pennant that year but lost to the Yankees in the World Series. Epperly had already been sent down to the minors before that happened.

Chicago Cubs Tenure

Al Epperly debuted for the Chicago Cubs in 1938 at just 19. He put up a 2-0 record with a 3.67 ERA in nine appearances, wearing number 56.

1938 MLB Season Performance

Epperly’s rookie year with the Cubs showed promise, even with limited chances. He pitched in nine games, started four, and completed one. His 2-0 record left him with a perfect winning percentage.

He logged 27 innings that season. He gave up 28 hits and 11 earned runs, ending up with a 3.67 ERA, which put him a bit above league average for 1938.

Epperly showed decent control for a rookie, though he walked 15 hitters in his limited innings. He struck out 10 batters and posted a WHIP of 1.593—not ideal, but not terrible either.

Role as a Pitcher

The Cubs used Epperly as both a starter and a reliever in his short 1938 stint. He started four games and pitched in relief five times, making him a flexible arm for their staff.

As a left-handed batter and right-handed pitcher, Epperly brought a rare combo to the mound. At 6-2 and 194 pounds, he had a solid frame. He focused on pitching to spots, not just blowing hitters away.

The Cubs’ coaches saw something in the 19-year-old from Glidden. Still, his development stalled as he spent the next few years in the minors. His short time with the Cubs gave him just a taste of the big leagues.

Notable Games and Statistics

Epperly’s MLB debut happened on April 25, 1938, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched just a third of an inning, struck out one, and walked another—quick, but it got him started.

His standout stat with the Cubs was that perfect 2-0 record. He never lost a game in Chicago. He also chipped in with the bat, picking up two hits in eight at-bats, including a double, and scoring twice.

Baseball Reference shows Epperly’s 1938 season included three wild pitches but no hit batters. He faced 122 hitters that year. His last appearance came after 27 innings, closing out his first major league season on a decent note.

Minor League Career and World War II Service

Al Epperly spent most of his pro baseball life in the minor leagues, playing across different leagues from 1936 to 1953. He served in the Army during World War II from 1944 to 1945, which interrupted his career, but he came back strong in the late 1940s and early ’50s.

Teams Played For in Minor Leagues

Epperly started his pro career in 1936 with the Eau Claire Bears after signing with the Red Sox. He went 13-8 with a 4.41 ERA as a rookie, helping the team win the playoffs.

The Cubs picked him up through a minor league agreement. He joined the Moline Plowboys in 1937, going 14-6 and helping win another playoff title.

After his quick MLB run with the Cubs in 1938, Epperly landed with the Indianapolis Indians. He finished that year with a 4-6 record in 18 games.

He ran into arm injuries in 1938 and again in 1941. Those injuries pushed him to become an underarm relief pitcher for the rest of his minor league days.

The San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast League gave him his best years. In 1943, he went 16-5, and the Chicago White Sox picked him in the Rule V Draft that November.

Wartime Service and Its Impact

Albert Paul Epperly served in the United States Army during World War II from 1944 to 1945. His military duty pulled him away from baseball during what should’ve been his best years.

He was 26 when he joined the Army and 27 when he got back—pretty much prime time for a ballplayer.

Epperly managed to return to baseball after the war. He played at the AAA level through the late ’40s and early ’50s.

His ability to pick up where he left off showed real resilience and love for the game. Some players couldn’t get back to form after their service, but Epperly held his own.

Achievements and Setbacks

Epperly stacked up eight double-digit win seasons in his 17-year pro career. His 1943 season with San Francisco (16-5) and his 1951 run with the St. Paul Saints (15-4) stand out as high points.

He finished his minor league career with 160 wins and 127 losses and a 3.62 ERA. Those numbers show he was steady and competitive across different teams.

The arm injuries in 1938 and 1941 forced him to change his pitching style. He switched to underarm relief work, which kept him in the game but changed his role.

Epperly also pitched winter ball in Cuba, showing his dedication and willingness to play anywhere.

His minor league success never really translated to a long MLB career. Even with strong AAA numbers, he only got into 14 big league games.

Brooklyn Dodgers and Final MLB Season

Al Epperly made it back to the majors in 1950 after 12 years, joining the Brooklyn Dodgers for his final season. He pitched in five games for the Dodgers, wore number 11, and put up solid numbers before walking away from pro baseball.

Joining the Brooklyn Dodgers

Epperly returned to the big leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950. That was a major comeback, considering his last MLB appearance had been with the Cubs back in 1938.

At 32, he had spent more than a decade away from the majors. The Dodgers gave him another shot to show what he could do.

The Dodgers were a strong team in 1950. Epperly got the chance to pitch for a contender and add to their staff.

1950 MLB Season Highlights

Epperly pitched in five games for the Dodgers that season. His last MLB outing came on July 7, 1950, against the Philadelphia Phillies.

In that game, he threw three innings and gave up just two hits. Baseball Reference and Retrosheet list that as his final pro appearance.

He wore number 11 with the Dodgers, a change from his Cubs days.

His season wrapped up in July, making his 1950 stint pretty short. Still, he made the most of his chances.

Pitching Statistics and Achievements

Epperly finished 1950 with a 2-0 win-loss record in his five Dodgers games.

His career ERA landed at 4.00 when he stepped away. He notched 13 strikeouts over his MLB career with both teams.

He pitched in 14 major league games total. Those numbers show he was effective when he got on the mound.

Baseball Reference has his final stats as a pitcher who got the job done in limited opportunities. That perfect 2-0 record with Brooklyn was a nice way to cap things off.

Retirement, Legacy, and Life After Baseball

Al Epperly’s baseball career wrapped up in 1950 after 12 years in pro ball. He then went on to a long career with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. His legacy lives on through baseball record-keeping and his family’s ties to the sport.

Retirement from Professional Baseball

Al Epperly played his last Major League Baseball game on July 7, 1950, for the Brooklyn Dodgers. That day, he faced the Philadelphia Phillies.

He retired from professional baseball at 32.

His baseball career came in two parts because of World War II. Epperly first pitched for the Chicago Cubs in 1938, just 19 years old back then.

He left the game to serve in the military from 1942 to 1945. That was a huge interruption, and honestly, it must’ve been tough to come back after all that.

When he returned from service, Epperly jumped back into baseball in 1949. He joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950, which turned out to be his final season.

All in all, his professional career stretched from 1938 to 1950, lasting 14 years.

Service with Scott County Sheriff’s Office

After baseball, Epperly started a new chapter in law enforcement. He worked for the Scott County Sheriff’s Office in Iowa from 1954 to 1984.

That job lasted 30 years, way longer than his time in baseball. It gave him steady work and a chance to give back to his community.

Epperly’s dedication to public service really shone through at the sheriff’s office. A lot of former athletes switched careers like this—steady paychecks were important after sports.

Later Life and Memorial

Al Epperly passed away on April 14, 2003, at 84 years old in McFarland, Wisconsin. At the time, he was living with his daughter.

Even though he died in Wisconsin, his family buried him in Davenport Memorial Park in Davenport, Iowa. That choice showed how much Iowa meant to him.

His family stayed connected to baseball after he was gone. Epperly’s son, Vancil, had ties to his dad’s 1950 Dodgers teammates, which included Jackie Robinson.

Commemoration in Baseball Resources

You can find Al Epperly’s career in all the big baseball record books. Baseball Reference lists his stats and biographical details.

Retrosheet also keeps track of his games and performance. Thanks to these resources, fans and researchers can still look up what he did on the field.

His career numbers include a 2-0 win-loss record, a 4.00 ERA, and 13 strikeouts. He only played 14 Major League games, but those appearances spanned two different decades.

Baseball databases today still record details like his uniform numbers (56 with the Cubs, 11 with the Dodgers) and his batting stats.

Statistical Legacy and Impact

Al Epperly’s time in the majors was short, and his numbers weren’t flashy. Still, his 2-0 record and 4.00 ERA across 14 games tell the story of a pitcher who made the most of his chances with the Cubs and Dodgers.

Win-Loss Record and ERA

Epperly went undefeated with a 2-0 win-loss record during his big-league career from 1938 to 1950. Sure, it’s a small sample, but he got the job done when called on.

His 4.00 ERA put him right in the mix with other pitchers of that era. According to Baseball Reference, league average ERAs in the 1940s usually sat between 3.50 and 4.20, so he held his own.

A 12-year gap separated his debut and his last game, thanks to World War II. In his final appearance on July 7, 1950, against Philadelphia, he pitched three innings and gave up two hits.

Strikeouts and Pitching Metrics

Epperly finished with 13 strikeouts in his major league career. That’s about one per game, which seems about right for the time.

His debut on April 25, 1938, against Pittsburgh gave a glimpse of his ability—he notched a strikeout in just a third of an inning.

Epperly batted left-handed and threw right-handed, which made him stand out a bit among his peers. At 6’2″ and 194 pounds, he had good size for a pitcher back then.

Retrosheet data suggests strikeout rates were lower in the 1940s compared to today. Epperly’s totals fit right in with what you’d expect from a relief pitcher of his era.

Comparison with Peers and Recognitions

Epperly’s career stats put him in the group of players who made brief, yet memorable, marks on major league baseball. That perfect win-loss record—sure, it’s not a huge sample size, but it definitely stands out among folks with similar careers.

While he played, Epperly pitched winter baseball in Cuba. He wanted to keep his skills sharp and, honestly, the extra income didn’t hurt. Back then, a lot of players did the same thing.

After baseball, he worked as chief deputy and captain of the postal division for the county sheriff’s office in Davenport, Iowa. It kind of shows how many players eventually moved into regular jobs once their sports days ended.