Stubby Overmire

Who was Stubby Overmire?

Frank W. Overmire was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played ten seasons for the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Browns, and New York Yankees. In ten seasons, Overmire won 58 games and lost 67 with a 3.96 earned run average. Because of his stature, 5 feet 7 inches and 170 pounds, the left-hander was nicknamed "Stubby."

Born in Moline, Michigan, Overmire attended Western State Teachers College, now known as Western Michigan University, where he played for the then Hilltoppers from 1938 to 1941.

Overmire signed with the Detroit Tigers after in 1941 as an undrafted free agent. He debuted for the Tigers in April 1943 and won 7 games with 8 complete games and 3 shutouts in his rookie season. In his second season, Overmire pitched 11 complete games, 3 shoutouts, and had his career-low ERA at 3.07.

In 1945, Overmire started 22 games, and won 9, for the American League pennant winning Tigers. He was the Tigers' starting pitcher in Game 3 of the 1945 World Series against the Chicago Cubs, Despite giving up only 2 runs in 6 innings, Overmire took the loss as the Tigers were shut out 3–0.

Overmire's best season was 1947, when he won 11 and lost 5 for the Tigers with a 3.77 earned run average.