Red Ruffing overcame adversity to achieve pitching stardom. As a youngster he lost four toes on
his left foot in a mine accident, which hastened a transition from the outfield to the mound.
After suffering through a 39-96 mark with the Red Sox, his career blossomed when he was traded to
the Yankees in 1930. An instrumental part of seven pennant winners, Ruffing won seven of nine World
Series decisions. His 273 career victories include a four-year stretch (1936 to 1939) when he won at
least 20 games per season.