Edd Roush: Hall Of Fame Outfielder And Cincinnati Reds Legend
Discover the story of Edd Roush, the Cincinnati Reds star and Hall of Fame outfielder. Learn about his batting titles, World Series victory, and lasting legacy in baseball history.
Aug 16, 20259.6K Shares166.9K Views
Edd Roush stood out in early baseball with his smooth hitting and sharp fielding. He played mostly for the Cincinnati Reds, leading the National League in batting twice and finishing with a strong .323 average over an 18-year career. Fans remember him as one of the game’s best center fielders across both the dead-ball and live-ball eras. He helped the Reds win the 1919 World Series and was later honored with a place in the Hall of Fame.
Early Life
Edd Roush was born on May 8, 1893, in Oakland City, Indiana, to Laura and William Roush, who worked on a dairy farm. He had a twin brother, Fred, and both shared the middle initial "J" that stood for nothing in particular. As a child growing up on the farm, Edd worked alongside his family and learned to throw and bat right-handed because left-handed gloves were hard to find in his town. In 1909, he got a chance to play for the local semi-pro team, the Oakland City Walkovers—he snagged two hits in his first game and became a regular. He later joined a rival team in Princeton in 1911, and then played for Evansville in the KITTY League in 1912, hitting .284. His skill earned him a spot with the Chicago White Sox in 1913.
Baseball Career
Edd Roush began his major league journey in 1913 with the Chicago White Sox but soon moved to the Federal League, where he hit .325 in 1914 and .298 in 1915 with Newark. After the league folded, the New York Giants picked him up in 1916 before trading him to the Cincinnati Reds that same year. With the Reds, Roush truly rose to stardom, winning the National League batting title in 1917 with a .341 average and again in 1919 with .321. He played a key role in the Reds' 1919 World Series win, scoring six runs and driving in seven more.
In the early 1920s, Roush maintained exceptional performance, hitting an average of .346 each season from 1920 to 1925. He was known for his strong arm, heavy bat, and smart hitting—often adjusting his swing mid-pitch to cover different parts of the field. After a trade back to the Giants following the 1926 season, he hit .304 over three seasons but dealt with injuries and even sat out the 1930 season over salary disagreements. He returned to the Reds for one final year in 1931.
Over his full 18-year career, Roush collected 2,376 hits, scored 1,099 runs, and stole 268 bases. His lifetime batting average stood at an impressive .323. After retiring, he was honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 for his consistent play and defensive excellence.
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