Charlie Devens

Charles Devens

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.
• School Harvard University
• High School Groton School
• Debut September 24, 1932
• Final Game September 26, 1934
• Born January 1, 1910 in Milton, MA USA
• Died August 13, 2003 in Scarborough, ME USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"Ruth always greeted him with the cry, "Hey, Boston." - from the Harvard Crimson [1]

Charlie Devens played on the New York Yankees teams of the early 1930s, alongside Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, posting an ERA of 3.73 in 82 innings. Devens did not appear in the 1932 World Series - not surprising since he only pitched one game during the 1932 season, albeit a complete game victory - but he was on the bench and observed Babe Ruth's called shot. He agreed with Frankie Crosetti that Ruth wasn't using the gesture to say he would hit a home run on the next pitch.

Devens starred in football, baseball and hockey at Harvard, and also was a top tennis player prior to college. He attended the prestigious Groton School, which Franklin Roosevelt's children also attended at the time.

Devens estimated that his fastball was over 90 mph.

He married the daughter of a former governor, and after baseball went into banking and stockbroking. During World War II, he was a lieutenant commander in the Navy, and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Charlie spent parts of 1933 and 1934 with the Newark Bears, going 19-13 during the period. Most of the players on the team were former or future major leaguers, including Dale Alexander, Johnny Broaca, Johnny Neun and George Selkirk.

Notable Achievement

• Won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1932 (he did not play in the World Series)