Name/Title
George Nap Rucker Sporting Life Newpaper 1912Entry/Object ID
2022.1.8Description
Cover page photo of Nap Rucker of the May 18, 1912 issueContext
Caption to photo details the minor league experience and drafting of Nap by Brooklyn President Ebbets for $500 and his refusal to trade him.
The genealogy of the Rucker family has been traced to the Crabapple/Milton/Alpharetta area back to 1834. See the Rucker family history files. Born to parents Sarah Hembree and John Rucker, a Confederate veteran, Nap dropped out of school and became an apprentice printer. Inspired by a headline he worked on entitled "$10,000 For Pitching a Baseball", Rucker pursued a minor league career. He was spotted by the Brooklyn team while playing for an Augusta team in the South Atlantic League and compiled a 40-20 win/loss record during that span. Rucker also roomed with Ty Cobb during his time. He signed with the Dodgers in 1907. President Ebbets of the Brooklyn team paid $500 for him and refused to trade him during his 10 year major league tenure.
Nap was a trailblazer, the first from the Crabapple area to go to majors and pitched for the Brooklyn Superbas/Dodgers/Robins. Over his 10 seasons Rucker led the league in Shutouts, Complete Game, and Innings Pitched. On September 5, 1908, Rucker became the first left-handed pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Dodger history (against Boston). In his first 9 years, he throws 38 shut outs. He started 30 plus games in 7 straight seasons. When his speed declined, he perfected knuckleballs, one of the first pitchers to do so.
After retiring from baseball, he worked as a scout for Brooklyn as well as the Atlanta Crackers. Returning to North Fulton he also becomes successful in his business career investing in a local bank and ownership of a plantation, several cotton farms, and a wheat mill. He also served as the mayor of Roswell, Ga. in 1935 and 1936. Rucker was responsible for creating Roswell's first supply of running water and served as the city’s water commissioner for many years. Rucker was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1967.Collection
Mark AmickAcquisition
Accession
2022.1Source or Donor
Mark AmickAcquisition Method
Gift