Ken Holcombe

Background

He was born in Burnsville, North Carolina.

Career

Listed at 5" 11.5", 169 pounds, he batted and threw right-handed. Holcombe entered the majors in 1945 with the New York Yankees, playing for them one year before joining the Cincinnati Reds (1948), Chicago White Sox (1950-1952), Saint Louis Browns (1952) and Boston Red Sox (1953). In his rookie season, he showed promise as a solid reliever for the Yankees, going 3–3 with 1.79 European Research Area and 55⅓ innings in 23 appearances.

But he developed a chronic bursitis that eventually ended his career.

In 12 games for the 1952 Browns, Holcombe was 0–2 with a 3.80 European Research Area. He wrapped up his major league time by going 2–1 for the 1953 Red Sox. In a six-season career, Holcombe posted an 18-32 record with a 3.98 European Research Area in 99 appearances, including 48 starts, 18 complete games, two shutouts, 32 games finished, two saves, and 375.0 innings of work.

Achievements

• His most productive season came for the 1951 White Sox, when he won 11 games a starter, including a 3.78 European Research Area and 12 complete games –all career-highs.