| Rex Cecil | |
|---|---|
 Cecil, circa 1945 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1916-10-08)October 8, 1916 Lindsay, Oklahoma, U.S. | |
| Died: October 30, 1966(1966-10-30) (aged 50) Long Beach, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 13, 1944, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 28, 1945, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 6–10 |
| Earned run average | 5.18 |
| Innings pitched | 106 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
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Rex Ralston Cecil (October 8, 1916 – October 30, 1966) was an American professionalbaseball player. Theright-handedpitcher, a native ofLindsay, Oklahoma, had a 14-year pro career, including 18games pitched, 16 as astarter, inMajor League Baseball for theBoston Red Sox (1944–1945). Cecil battedleft-handed, stood 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and weighed 195 pounds (88 kg).
Cecil's early pro career (1937–1939; 1941–1944) was based on theWest Coast, especially in theWestern International andPacific Coast leagues. In1944, during the peak of the World War II manpower shortage, Cecilwon 19 of 30decisions, with a stellar 2.16earned run average, for thePCL San Diego Padres and was acquired by the Red Sox.
Making his Major League debut on August 13, 1944, inrelief against the eventualAmerican League championSt. Louis Browns atFenway Park, Cecil threw four scorelessinnings and earned the victory whenBaseball Hall of Famesecond basemanBobby Doerr hit awalk-off home run in the 13th inning.[1] He then threw successivecomplete games as a starting pitcher, against theDetroit Tigers andCleveland Indians, and split two decisions. During his rookie campaign for Boston, Cecil won four games, lost five and compiled a 5.11 earned run average.
In1945, Cecil began the year with the BoSox and was Boston's Opening Day starting pitcher on April 17 against theNew York Yankees atYankee Stadium. Cecil lasted 61⁄3 innings and allowed eightruns — although only two wereearned, as he was victimized by threeerrors byfirst basemanCatfish Metkovich and made one miscue himself. New York won the game, 8–4.[2] He started six more games during April and May, but in his seven 1945 starts he lost five, won two, and again compiled a high earned run average, at 5.20. He then was demoted to Boston's topfarm team, theLouisville Colonels of theAmerican Association, and spent the rest of his pro career in the minors.
In a two-season Major League career, Cecil posted a 6–10 record with 63strikeouts and a 5.18ERA in 106innings pitched, allowing 118hits and 60bases on balls. During his longminor league career, he won 161 games, including 21 games in his final pro season, 1953, in the Class CArizona–Texas League.
Rex Cecil died inLong Beach, California, at the age of 50.
· Baseball Almanac
