RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Curt Simmons, a left-handed pitcher, began his Major League Baseball career with the Philadelphia Phillies. Born in Egypt, Pennsylvania, Simmons was a standout athlete in high school, which caught the attention of the Phillies. He signed with the team in 1947 and quickly made his debut in the major leagues later that year.
Simmons became an integral part
Close
Curt Simmons, a left-handed pitcher, began his Major League Baseball career with the Philadelphia Phillies. Born in Egypt, Pennsylvania, Simmons was a standout athlete in high school, which caught the attention of the Phillies. He signed with the team in 1947 and quickly made his debut in the major leagues later that year.
Simmons became an integral part of the Phillies' pitching staff. By 1950, he was a key member of the "Whiz Kids," the youthful Phillies team that captured the National League pennant. That season, Simmons posted a 17-8 record with a 3.40 ERA, helping lead the team to its first World Series appearance since 1915. Unfortunately, Simmons was unable to pitch in the World Series due to being called to military service during the Korean War.
After returning from military duty, Simmons continued to be a reliable starter for the Phillies throughout the early 1950s. He consistently delivered solid performances, earning All-Star selections in 1952 and 1953. His pitching style, characterized by a strong fastball and effective curveball, made him a challenging opponent for batters.
In 1960, Simmons was released by the Phillies, but his career was far from over. He was quickly picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals, where he experienced a resurgence. Simmons played a crucial role in the Cardinals' pitching rotation, particularly during the 1964 season when the team won the World Series. That year, he recorded an 18-9 record with a 3.43 ERA, proving instrumental in the Cardinals' success.
Simmons continued to pitch for the Cardinals until 1966, after which he joined the Chicago Cubs. His tenure with the Cubs was brief, and he finished his career with the California Angels in 1967. Over his 20-year career, Simmons amassed a record of 193 wins and 183 losses, with an ERA of 3.54. He was known for his durability and consistency on the mound, qualities that earned him respect throughout the league.
⚾
Related Content
Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Curt Simmons Biography
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK,...
/ The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK, which was first published in 1949, was a continuation of the 1942 Dope Book.
There was at least one "Al Schracht Dope Book" Published by Sporting News in 1944. This edition consisted of dozens of colorful short news snippets with cartoon illustrations, followed by statistics and writeups of current Hall of Famers and past World Series'.
The Dope Book from 1948 thru 1985 was of an entirely different format. It featured a wide spectrum of articles and statistics. Several features, such as Club Rosters and All Star Game Records, were carried yearly for many years.