Roy Parmelee (August 29, 1907 – January 30, 1981) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1930 to 1937. He appeared for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Braves, and Chicago White Sox over the course of his seven‑season career.
Early life
Roy Herman Parmelee was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Information about his childhood, education, and amateur baseball experience is limited in major reference works.
Professional career
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MLB debut and early years (1930–1931): Parmelee made his major‑league debut on April 15, 1930 with the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first two seasons he served primarily as a starting pitcher, compiling a combined win–loss record of 10–12.
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Mid‑career (1932–1936): After a brief return to the minor leagues, Parmelee joined the Boston Braves for the 1935 and 1936 seasons. He split time between starting and relief duties, posting a combined 13–15 record with an earned run average (ERA) near 4.80.
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Final MLB stint (1937): Parmelee was acquired by the Chicago White Sox for the 1937 season, appearing primarily out of the bullpen. He recorded a 5–6 win–loss record and a 4.55 ERA before playing his final major‑league game on September 27, 1937.
Over his MLB career, Parmelee accumulated a 45–48 win–loss record, a 4.71 ERA, and 252 strikeouts in 795 innings pitched. He also recorded three career shutouts and 12 complete games.
Later life and death
Following his retirement from professional baseball, Parmelee lived in Arizona. He died on January 30, 1981 in Sun City, Arizona, at age 73.
Legacy
Parmelee is remembered as a journeyman pitcher of the 1930s, notable for his versatility in both starting and relief roles during an era when pitching rotations were less specialized than in later decades. No major awards or Hall of Fame inductions have been attributed to him.
