Rusty Peters

Who was Rusty Peters?

Russell Dixon Peters was an American professional baseball player. A second baseman, shortstop and third baseman, he played in 471 games over all or parts of ten seasons in Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Indians, and the St. Louis Browns. Peters was born in Roanoke, Virginia, and although he spent his childhood in Dayton, Ohio, he returned to Virginia to attend Washington and Lee University and spent several years in retirement in his native state.

Peters, who wore glasses, hit just .236 in his Major League career and only hit above .300 once – in 47 at bats in 1947. However, he played every infield position and found work as a utility player. In 1937, he had 339 at-bats for the Athletics and hit three home runs, drove in 43 runs and stole four bases. An infielder with the Atlanta Crackers of the Class A1 Southern Association in 1938 and 1939, and Rookie of the Year his first year, he was said to be "not only ... a fine mechanical ball player, but he is a fireball in that infield"

The Indians purchased his contract from Atlanta in order to bring him on as backup to its already fine infield.