Ron Cronin

Name
Ron Cronin
Nationality
usaUnited States
Position
Pitcher, First base
Past Teams
Bloomer Pines, Lafayette Indians, Tilden Tigers
Leagues
Chippewa River Baseball League

Inaugural Class of 2009

Pitcher, 1st Basemen

Bloomer Pines 1954-55,58-59,61-64,66; Tilden Tigers 1960; Lafayette Indians 1965


Frequently described as “The Big Right-Hander”, Cronin used an unusual side-arm delivery to magnify a blazing fastball in forever making his mark as one of the premier strikeout pitchers in league history.

Racking up a remarkable 1,042 strikeouts in 764.1 innings, he was the “K King” when he retired, and his total still ranks 2nd all-time some 45 years after his last game.  Averaged over 12 strikeouts (12.27) per nine innings, the 3rd all-time highest mark.

Topped the 100 strikeout barrier in a season a league record six times, doing so in 1958 (144 K in 97.1 IP), 1960 (102 K in 96.1 IP), 1961 (143 K in 89.1 IP), 1962 (116 K in 85 IP), 1963 (153 K in 115.1 IP), and 1964 (108 K in 77.1 IP).  Led the Chippewa Valley League in punch-outs four of those years (1958, 1961-1963).  His streak of 5 seasons in a row (1960-1964) with over 100 strikeouts has never and may never matched.   Won 7 or more games six times, leading the league in that category three times (1960, 1962, 1963), with a high of 11 wins in 1963.  His career total of 59 wins still ranks 8th all-time.  Led the then Chippewa Valley League in innings pitched in 1960 and 1963.  Tied for the league lead in shutouts with 1 in 1955 and led the league with 2 in 1962.

Always a long-ball threat during his era, Cronin hit 2 homeruns in a season twice, leading the league with that total in 1963.  That same year, he also led the league with 13 RBI’s.

Played a major role on 4 division winners, helping to turn the tide for Bloomer (1958, 1961, 1963) and Tilden (1960).

Played in eight All-Star games (1955, 1958-1964).  Co-shares the single game league record for innings pitched with 16, doing so in a complete game, 4-1 loss to the Chippewa Falls Triangle Sports in 1958 during which he K’d 22 batters.

Batting

SeasonTeamTB1BSLGABRHRBI2B3BHRSBBBSOLOBGAVG
Total-151109.32245577109681319271114.240

Pitching

SeasonTeamIPHRERBBSOHRWLERASVNOHGAVG
Total-764.1104259273.770114.240