Roy Crabb (June 2, 1903 – May 30, 1960) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 1920s. He appeared for the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox over three seasons.
Early life and education
Roy Lee Crabb was born in Fulton, Kentucky. Details of his early education and amateur baseball career are limited, though records indicate he began playing organized baseball in the minor leagues before being signed by a major‑league organization.
Professional career
Major League debut
Crabb made his MLB debut on April 15, 1926, as a left‑handed pitcher for the Chicago White Sox. Over the 1926 and 1927 seasons with Chicago, he primarily served as a relief pitcher but also made occasional starts.
Boston Red Sox
In 1928, Crabb was acquired by the Boston Red Sox, appearing in a handful of games before returning to the minor leagues. His major‑league tenure concluded on September 27, 1928.
Minor league service
Following his MLB career, Crabb continued to pitch in various minor‑league clubs, including stints with the Omaha Crickets, Wichita Falls Spudders, and other teams in the Western and Texas Leagues. He remained active in professional baseball through the early 1930s.
Career statistics
- Win–loss record: 5–9
- Earned run average (ERA): 5.13
- Strikeouts: 39
- Games pitched: 40 (including 12 starts)
Later life and death
After retiring from baseball, Crabb lived in Texas, where he worked in the oil industry. He died on May 30, 1960, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 56.
Legacy
Roy Crabb is remembered as a journeyman pitcher of the 1920s, representing the era’s fluid movement between major and minor leagues. His brief MLB career contributes to the historical record of early 20th‑century professional baseball.
