After completing his degree at Penn State, scouts from the Major Leagues considered Van Atta to be a promising prospect and in 1928 the New York Yankees negotiated a contract and paid a signing bonus of $250. However, Miller Huggins, the Manager of the Yankees did not trust Van Atta's talent and sent him to the minors. In 1928, he played for the Hartford Senators, a minor-league team based in Connecticut and affiliated with the Eastern League. He played for the next four seasons with the St. Paul Saints, a Triple-A level minor-league baseball team from Minnesota in the American Association.
With the New York Yankees (1933–1935)
On September 12, 1932, the New York Yankees acquired Van Atta from the Saints. He would wear the number 14 on his uniform while playing the Yankees. At the age of 27, he would make his debut the following season with the Yankees on April 25, 1933 in a game against the Washington Senators. Van Atta's debut was historic—both in his pitching performance shutting out the Senators with a score of 16–0 and for going 4-for-4 in batting performance. To date, he is the onlyAmerican League pitcher to get four hits in his major league debut, and one of only seven players in AL history to do so in a nine-inning game. Van Atta's season performance consisted of a.283 batting average, 4.38 ERA and a record of 12 wins and 4 losses. Although a "late bloomer" at age 27, his rookie year was successful and he led the American League among pitchers in win–loss record, tying for first with Lefty Grove of the Philadelphia Athletics. The successes of Van Atta's rookie year did not carry over into subsequent seasons. His statistics and performance declined for the rest of his career. In 1934, he posted a 6.34 ERA and a 3–5 record. In December 1934, Van Atta injured his pitching hand while breaking a glass window to rescue his pet cocker spaniel during a house fire at his home in the Lake Mohawk section of Sparta Township, New Jersey. The injuries included cuts to his left hand that caused nerve damage. For the rest of his career, he would be limited to relief pitching and few spot-starts. Shortly after spring training, on May 15, 1935, the St. Louis Browns acquired Van Atta from the Yankees.
With the St. Louis Browns (1935–1939)
At the St. Louis Browns, Van Atta wore number 19 on his uniform. In 1935, he went 9–16 with a 5.30 ERA, but still Van Atta managed to lead the league with 58 appearances. He posted an even worse ERA the next season, at 6.60, but again he led the league in appearances with 52. Van Atta played his final game on May 11, 1939. Overall in his career, Van Atta went 33–41 with a 5.60 ERA. At the plate, he hit.228 with 2 home runs, and on the field he showed off a.929 fielding percentage.
On May 14, 1939, he was purchased by Toronto Maple Leafs then a Double-A minor-league team affiliated with the International League from the Browns.
After baseball
Van Atta was elected County Sheriff in Sussex County in northwestern New Jersey in 1941 and served one three-year term until 1944. His fellow Yankee, Babe Ruth campaigned on his behalf. Van Atta later served two three-year terms as on the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Later in life, he partnered a successful oil business, V&H Oil company, in Newton NJ, which was later bought out by Gulf Oil Company.
Personal life
Russell Van Atta married Helen Elizabeth Depue. They had one son, Russell Van Atta Jr., and three daughters, Betty Jane, Awilda and Geraldine. At the age of 80 years, Russell Van Atta died on October 10, 1986 in Andover, New Jersey and he was buried in the Frankford Plains Cemetery in Augusta, New Jersey.
