Les McCrabb – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Les McCrabb made his mark in baseball history during his 11-year run with the Philadelphia Athletics organization. Born Lester William McCrabb in Wakefield, Pennsylvania in 1914, he picked up the nickname “Buster”—a playful nod to Olympic star and actor Buster Crabbe.

McCrabb earned the rare distinction of playing in three different decades, even though he appeared in just 38 major league games. His career stretched from 1939 to 1950, and he finished with 10 wins and 15 losses. The path he took was anything but ordinary. He bounced between the minors and majors, even making a comeback after an eight-year gap.

Let’s dig into McCrabb’s roots in Pennsylvania, his time with the Athletics, and his days with teams like the Lancaster Red Roses. His story really shows what fringe players went through during baseball’s golden age. Sometimes, persistence actually paid off and led to unexpected second chances.

Early Life and Background

Lester William “Buster” McCrabb was born on November 4, 1914, in Wakefield, Pennsylvania. He started out with local amateur teams before major league scouts noticed him.

Family and Hometown

He grew up in Wakefield, a small Pennsylvania town that shaped his early years. Born in 1914, McCrabb experienced that tight-knit community life of the 1910s and 1920s.

People started calling him “Buster” as a playful reference to Buster Crabbe, the Olympic star and actor. That connection hints at the sports-heavy culture that surrounded him as a kid.

Early on, McCrabb showed the physical traits that would help him in baseball. He stood 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 175 pounds. He threw and batted right-handed, which became his signature.

Amateur Baseball Beginnings

McCrabb began his baseball journey with local Pennsylvania teams. He developed as a right-handed pitcher in the amateur baseball circles of the 1930s.

He played for several local teams, which helped him sharpen his skills. Those early games laid the groundwork for his pitching.

The Lancaster Red Roses played a big part in his amateur career. That connection would come back into play when he moved toward pro baseball.

Discovery and Recruitment

The Philadelphia Athletics organization spotted McCrabb’s talent in the mid-1930s. Scouts liked his potential as a right-handed pitcher.

In 1937, McCrabb joined the Philadelphia A’s organization. That kicked off a professional career that would last nearly 20 years.

The Athletics saw enough in him to bring him into their system. McCrabb stuck with the Philadelphia organization from 1937 all the way to 1954, making it his baseball home for 17 years.

Professional Baseball Career

Lester William “Buster” McCrabb’s pro baseball career ran from 1937 to 1954. He spent five seasons in Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics.

His journey took him from minor league deals to the big leagues, where he worked as a starting pitcher during some tough years for the Athletics.

Minor League Journey

McCrabb kicked off his pro career in 1937 with the minor league system. The Philadelphia Athletics picked him up from the Wilkes-Barre team in the Eastern League.

This move worked out for both McCrabb and the Athletics. He spent two years in the minors before getting called up to the big leagues.

His time in the minors helped him get ready for the major league grind. He worked on his pitching mechanics and got some much-needed game experience.

Major League Debut with Philadelphia Athletics

McCrabb made his MLB debut on September 7, 1939, at age 24 with the Philadelphia Athletics. He faced the Washington Senators, pitching 6.2 innings, giving up 9 hits and 3 earned runs.

That debut kicked off four straight seasons with the Athletics from 1939 to 1942. In this first run, McCrabb became part of the team’s pitching rotation.

His best year came in 1941 when he went 9-13 for the last-place Athletics. That was his only full season in the majors, and he managed 11 complete games with one shutout.

Pitching Role and Playing Style

McCrabb mainly worked as a starting pitcher for the Athletics. At 5 feet 11 inches and 175 pounds, he threw and batted right-handed.

His standout game came on July 27, 1941. He tossed a seven-hit shutout against the defending AL champion Detroit Tigers at Shibe Park. That complete game win showed he could hang with the best.

In 1941, McCrabb also picked up two saves, showing he could handle both starting and relief work. His 11 complete games that year matched the era’s expectations for pitchers.

Final MLB Season and Retirement

After spending 1942-1947 in the minors, McCrabb returned to the Athletics in 1950 for his last MLB appearance. His final game came on May 4, 1950, against the Detroit Tigers. He pitched just 0.1 innings and didn’t allow a hit.

After his playing days, McCrabb moved into coaching with the Athletics from 1951 to 1954. Coaching kept him close to the game and let him pass on his experience to younger players.

Career Statistics:

• Win-Loss Record: 10-15
• Earned Run Average: 5.96
• Strikeouts: 57
• Games Played: 38
• Complete Games: 13

He spent 17 years with the Philadelphia Athletics organization, from 1937 to 1954. That’s a big chunk of his adult life dedicated to baseball.

Notable Performances and Career Highlights

Les McCrabb’s major league career was short but pretty memorable. He had a fantastic debut win and his best season in 1941. Playing for the Philadelphia Athletics, he faced legends like Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio during some of baseball’s most famous moments.

Key Games and Memorable Moments

McCrabb’s big league debut on September 9, 1939, against the St. Louis Browns stands out as his best performance. He pitched a complete game and won 9-1 in his first appearance.

That game showed McCrabb could handle the pressure as a starter. Winning by such a wide margin was impressive for a guy few people knew.

Another standout moment happened in a relief outing against the Boston Red Sox. McCrabb came in with the bases loaded and nobody out, facing a tough lineup.

He got Pete Fox and Joe Cronin to pop out. Then Ted Williams hit a grounder to first, and McCrabb escaped the jam without giving up a run.

His last major league game in 1950 was memorable for how quick it was. He threw just one pitch to Detroit’s Johnny Groth, who lined out to center. Then, manager Connie Mack took him out.

1941 Season Achievements

McCrabb peaked in 1941. He started 23 games for the Athletics, posting a 9-13 record with 11 complete games.

That year, he got more starts than in any other season. He averaged over six innings per start, showing the kind of durability teams expected back then.

His 23 starts in 1941 made up more than half of his total 38 career major league games. The 11 complete games showed he could finish what he started.

Even though his record wasn’t great, his 1941 season proved he belonged in the majors. He handled a heavy workload, something most pitchers didn’t get to do.

McCrabb almost faced Joe DiMaggio during his famous 56-game hitting streak. He was supposed to start game 40 of the streak, but Johnny Babich took his place at the last minute.

Impactful Matchups Against Legendary Players

McCrabb went up against some of baseball’s all-time greats during his career. He pitched to Ted Williams during Williams’ legendary .406 season in 1941.

“Ted got a couple of hits off me,” McCrabb once said about facing the Red Sox slugger. Those games came during one of baseball’s most iconic seasons.

He nearly faced Joe DiMaggio during the famous hitting streak. Scheduled to start the 40th game, McCrabb lost the assignment to Babich, who openly said he wanted to end the streak.

McCrabb remembered the struggles against the Red Sox. He said the Athletics “didn’t win a game in Boston for over two and a half years” during his time.

Facing Hall of Famers like Williams and DiMaggio gave McCrabb some lasting memories. Competing with players of their caliber proved he had the stuff to play in the majors, even if he didn’t get many chances.

Involvement with Minor League Teams

McCrabb spent a lot of time with minor league clubs, especially the Lancaster Red Roses during World War II. He also played for several other teams across different leagues from 1937 to 1947.

Lancaster Red Roses Tenure

The Lancaster Red Roses played a big role in McCrabb’s career in the 1940s. He joined them while working on his father’s farm during World War II, juggling both jobs.

McCrabb pitched for the Red Roses at night and worked on the farm by day. That setup let him keep playing ball during the war, even when many players were off serving.

Playing for Lancaster gave McCrabb steady time on the mound and kept his pitching skills sharp. Staying active with the Red Roses helped him stay ready for a return to the majors.

That period really mattered for his development as a pitcher. The team gave him the experience he needed for his later career.

Other Minor League Affiliations

McCrabb’s minor league career took him to a bunch of teams and leagues from 1937 to 1947. He started with the Wilkes-Barre team in the Eastern League, where the Athletics first found him.

He made stops with several notable clubs:

• Lexington Indians
• Greenville Spinners
• Williamsport Grays
• Toronto Maple Leafs
• Montreal Royals
• Tulsa Oilers

McCrabb racked up a minor league record of 108 wins and 79 losses, with a 3.87 ERA over 271 games. His success in the minors kept opening doors for him to return to the majors.

The Montreal Royals picked him up in 1942 after the Athletics sold his contract. That happened after Philadelphia didn’t use him much that year.

Post-Playing Career and Personal Life

After he retired from pro baseball in 1950, Les McCrabb switched gears and started a mushroom farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He built a successful business and stayed close to the local baseball community by coaching and mentoring younger players.

Coaching and Contributions to Baseball

After his playing days ended, McCrabb stayed active in baseball. He worked with local teams around Lancaster, passing along his professional experience to younger players.

He kept his connection with the Lancaster Red Roses even after his career as a player. McCrabb mentored and coached amateur and semi-pro teams in the region.

Drawing on his major league background, McCrabb tried to develop local talent. He put a lot of energy into teaching pitching fundamentals and helping players get a sense of the mental side of the game.

He built his coaching philosophy around the basics he learned in professional baseball. McCrabb always stressed control and consistency over just throwing hard.

Business Ventures and Later Years

When baseball ended for him, McCrabb jumped into the mushroom farming business. He set up mushroom houses in Lancaster County and got a successful agricultural business going.

The mushroom industry in Pennsylvania really took off during the 1950s and 1960s, and McCrabb’s venture gave him financial stability.

He also became an active member of Community Bible Church of Leola. Faith played a big role in his life after baseball and shaped his involvement in the community.

McCrabb married Gladys Sprout McCrabb, and together they built a life in Lancaster County. They stayed in the area for the rest of their lives.

Legacy in Lancaster County

People in Lancaster County recognized McCrabb’s contributions to local baseball when he received the J. Freeland Chryst Award in 2002. That honor really highlighted the impact he made on sports in the area.

He became one of the oldest living MLB players before he died in 2008 at age 93. McCrabb stayed close to baseball for most of his long life.

They buried the former pitcher at Quarryville Cemetery in Quarryville, Pennsylvania. His legacy in Lancaster County goes far beyond his professional baseball career, reaching into his community and business life.

Les McCrabb’s Place in Baseball History

McCrabb stands out for playing across three decades but appearing in only 38 games. His 10-15 record with a 5.96 ERA shows modest statistical achievements, but honestly, his unique career span and sheer longevity make him a pretty notable figure in the baseball record books.

Statistical Overview

Over five MLB seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics, McCrabb put up modest numbers. He finished with a 10-15 win-loss record and a 5.96 ERA in 210 innings.

He struck out 57 batters, gave up 270 hits, and walked 63. McCrabb completed 13 games, including a shutout against the Detroit Tigers on July 27, 1941.

His best season happened in 1941, when he went 9-13 for the last-place Athletics. That year, he threw 11 complete games and notched his only shutout, a seven-hitter against the defending AL champs.

McCrabb’s career ran from 1939-1942, with a brief comeback in 1950. That eight-year gap between major league appearances makes his stats stand out among MLB players.

Unique Career Records

McCrabb probably holds the record for fewest games played by a three-decade player. Those 38 appearances, spread out over the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, are a rare thing in baseball history.

His professional career lasted twelve seasons, starting in 1937 in the minors. The Philadelphia Athletics picked him up from Wilkes-Barre thanks to a working agreement between the clubs.

After his 1950 return, McCrabb moved into coaching. He worked as a full-time coach for the Athletics from 1951 to 1954, which meant he spent almost two decades with the organization.

People started calling him “Buster” after Olympic star and actor Buster Crabbe, so his name became a little piece of baseball culture in his time.

Hall of Fame Inductions and Recognition

McCrabb never got Hall of Fame consideration. He just didn’t play enough or put up the stats people expect for that kind of honor.

Still, the Lancaster County Sports Hall of Fame recognized him after his passing. They appreciated his Pennsylvania roots and his long association with the Athletics.

When he died in 2008 at 93, people noted he was one of the oldest living former MLB players. That bit of trivia put the spotlight back on his unusual, three-decade baseball journey.

He was buried at Quarryville Cemetery in Pennsylvania. Honestly, it just fits, since he spent his whole life tied to the state where he grew up and played ball.