John Rucker

John Joel Rucker (1917-1985), known as Johnny Rucker and nicknamed "The Crabapple Comet," was an American outfielder who played six seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants between 1940 and 1946. He appeared in 705 games, mostly in center field, and batted left-handed. A native of Crabapple, Georgia, and a nephew of former major-league pitcher Nap Rucker, he attended the University of Georgia. In 1945 he opened the season with a 17-game hitting streak, which stood as the Giants' franchise record for a season-opening streak until 2012. Rucker died in 1985 at age 68.