Bob Toth | On 05, Dec 2014

Former Indians reliever for their 1948 World Championship club Russ Christopher passes away at the age of 37.

Christopher joined the Tribe on April 3rd, 1948, after his manager with the Philadelphia Athletics, Connie Mack, learned of his intentions to retire following the season due to rheumatic heart disease that had affected his conditioning and left him weak. He played only to increase the benefits of his MLB pension in order to provide for his wife and two young children.

He was 3-2 for Cleveland in 1948, posting a 2.90 ERA in 45 games. Had the statistic been tracked that season, he would have led the league with 17 saves.