Raschi began his professional baseball career in 1946 with the Yankees. He quickly established himself as a reliable and effective pitcher, known for his fastball and his competitive spirit. He was a right-handed pitcher, standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 205 pounds, and he was often referred to as "The Springfield Rifle," a nickname that reflected both his power on the mound and his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts.
During his time with the Yankees, Raschi was part of a formidable pitching rotation that included Allie Reynolds and Eddie Lopat. This trio was instrumental in the Yankees' dominance during this period, helping the team win five consecutive World Series championships from 1949 to 1953. Raschi himself was a four-time World Series champion and a three-time All-Star.
Raschi's best season came in 1949 when he won 21 games and posted a 3.34 earned run average (ERA). He followed this up with three more 20-win seasons in 1950, 1951, and 1952. In the 1951 World Series, Raschi pitched two complete-game victories, helping the Yankees defeat the New York Giants in six games.
In 1953, Raschi was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played for two seasons. He then spent a brief period with the Kansas City Athletics in 1955 before retiring from professional baseball.
Over the course of his ten-year MLB career, Raschi won 132 games and lost 66, with an ERA of 3.72. He pitched 88 complete games, 26 of which were shutouts, and he struck out 944 batters. He was also a capable hitter for a pitcher, with a career batting average of .184 and 21 home runs.
Raschi was known for his competitive nature and his ability to perform under pressure. He was a key player in one of the most successful periods in Yankees history, and his contributions to the team's success during this time are still remembered today. After his retirement, Raschi was inducted into the New York Yankees' Monument Park, a testament to his significant impact on the franchise.
⚾