Rick Peters – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Rick Peters made his mark as an outfielder in Major League Baseball, playing five seasons before he hung up his cleats in 1986. The switch-hitting speedster from California stood out with both the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics during an era when teams really valued stolen bases and contact hitting.

Peters hit a solid .277 for his career over 307 games, spending most of his time as an outfielder for the Tigers from 1979 to 1981 and the Athletics in 1983 and 1986. At just 5’9″ and 170 pounds, he fit the mold of the classic leadoff hitter back then—quick on the bases and always finding ways to get on.

Let’s take a look at Peters’ baseball journey, from his days at Arizona State University to the minors and eventually the majors. His story gives us a window into the challenges faced by smaller players and how grit and skill can help you reach the top.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Richard Devin Peters was born on November 21, 1955, in Lynwood, California. He became an outstanding multi-sport athlete during his early years.

He went from impressive showings at Dominguez High School to playing a key role for Arizona State University’s powerhouse baseball program in the mid-1970s.

Family Background and Early Years

Rick grew up in Lynwood, where his athletic talent stood out early. His dad, Simon Peters, had athletic chops too, which probably helped Rick’s natural abilities.

The Peters family encouraged Rick’s growth in sports from the start. Living in Southern California meant he could play baseball year-round and sharpen his skills.

Rick tried his hand at several sports as a kid, but baseball pulled him in the most. He eventually focused on it as his main passion.

Playing in California youth leagues gave him a strong foundation. The tough competition there prepared him for what was coming.

High School Achievements at Dominguez

Peters attended Dominguez High School and quickly became one of the top baseball prospects in the area. College scouts from all over started paying attention.

He showed off great hitting and defensive skills during high school. Peters played several positions, proving his versatility—a trait that stuck with him throughout his career.

His senior year at Dominguez was especially impressive. Speed, hitting, and fielding all came together, making him a highly desired recruit.

Top college recruiters regularly visited Dominguez just to watch him. His steady play earned him scholarship offers from some of the best programs.

Arizona State University Career

Peters joined Arizona State University, signing on with one of the most successful college baseball programs around. The Sun Devils had a reputation for churning out major league players and had some legendary coaches.

Position Changes at ASU:

• 1975: Designated hitter
• 1976: Second baseman
• 1977: Center fielder

He handled every position change with ease, showing off his baseball smarts and athletic ability. Each move forced him to pick up new skills and tweak his game.

Even as he switched positions, Peters kept swinging the bat well. His offense helped Arizona State stay competitive in the tough Pac-10 Conference.

He really broke out in 1977 as a center fielder. His defense improved and matched his reliable hitting.

College World Series Contributions

Peters played on the 1977 Arizona State team that reached the College World Series. That experience gave him a taste of high-stakes games and real pressure.

The Sun Devils’ run in Omaha put Peters in the spotlight for pro scouts. His play on the national stage boosted his draft prospects for the 1977 amateur draft.

Playing in the College World Series taught him a lot about handling nerves. Those lessons definitely helped later on.

The buzz and media attention in Omaha gave him a glimpse of pro baseball life. His solid play showed he was ready for the next step.

Minor League Development and Success

From 1977 to 1986, Peters worked his way through several minor league teams, hitting .301 with 196 RBIs over 554 games. He spent time with the Montgomery Rebels, Evansville Triplets, and Tacoma Tigers, picking up the tools he’d need in the majors.

Draft History and Signing

Peters kicked off his pro baseball career in 1977 after signing with a major league club. His days at Arizona State, where he played all over the diamond, set him up for the versatility that would define his minor league years.

Moving from college ball to the pros forced Peters to adjust to tougher competition. His athletic background and positional flexibility made him a solid pick for teams needing utility players.

Evansville Triplets Achievements

Peters’ stint with the Evansville Triplets was a turning point. The club gave him regular at-bats, letting him hone his hitting and defensive skills in the outfield.

He worked hard on making more contact at the plate and getting better at stealing bases. Peters learned how to read pitchers and time his jumps for more stolen bags.

The Evansville coaching staff helped him fix his swing, and he started hitting more doubles and triples. His defense got better too—he read fly balls well and built up his arm strength.

Notable Minor League Teammates and Coaches

Throughout his minor league run, Peters played with some soon-to-be major leaguers, like Kirk Gibson, who later became a big-time power hitter. Those teammates pushed him and gave him new perspectives.

He worked with coaches who really knew the game. They helped him with situational hitting, base running, and defense.

In 1986, Peters joined the Tacoma Tigers, surrounded by future big leaguers like Jeff Kaiser, Bill Bathe, Kevin Tapani, and Dave Stewart. Competing with that group motivated him to keep improving during his last minor league season.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Rick Peters played five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1979 to 1986. He finished with a .277 batting average and a .356 on-base percentage in 307 games.

He played for the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics. His best years came while he was with Detroit.

MLB Debut and Early Performance

Peters made his MLB debut on September 8, 1979, for the Detroit Tigers at age 23. He faced the New York Yankees and got one at-bat, but didn’t pick up a hit.

That season was a quick introduction to the majors. He played in 12 games, had 25 plate appearances, and hit .263 with a .417 on-base percentage.

His switch-hitting and speed grabbed the Tigers’ attention. They drafted him out of Arizona State in 1977.

Peters walked five times in 19 at-bats, showing good plate discipline. Even with limited at-bats, he showed promise.

Detroit Tigers Tenure

From 1979 to 1981, Peters became a regular for Detroit. In 1980, he broke out, playing 133 games—mostly in center field.

That year was his best statistically. He hit .291 with a .369 on-base percentage in 546 plate appearances and finished sixth in American League Rookie of the Year voting.

He racked up 139 hits in 1980, including 19 doubles and seven triples. His speed helped him steal 13 bases, and he played all over the outfield.

The 1981 season got cut short by a players’ strike, so Peters only played 63 games. Still, he hit .256 and had a .351 on-base percentage.

Role with Oakland Athletics

Peters joined the Oakland Athletics in 1983 and again in 1986. With Oakland, he shifted into more of a bench role.

In 1983, he played 55 games and logged 198 plate appearances. He hit .287 and proved he could still help when called upon.

His final MLB season was in 1986 at age 30. Peters appeared in 44 games, but only hit .184 before wrapping up his big league career.

He played his last MLB game on June 29, 1986, against the Chicago White Sox. In total, he played 99 games for Oakland across two seasons, finishing up a solid five-year run in the majors.

Career Achievements and Playing Style

Rick Peters made a name for himself as a contact hitter and versatile outfielder during his five years in MLB. His 1980 season earned him Rookie of the Year consideration and proved he could contribute in several ways.

Hitting Approach and Batting Stats

Peters finished his MLB career with a .277 batting average over 307 games. His best year at the plate was 1980, when he hit .291 with a .369 on-base percentage.

That season, he picked up 139 hits in 133 games for Detroit. He showed he could get on base and make things happen.

Peters kept a .356 on-base percentage over five seasons. He wasn’t a big power guy, but he found the gaps for 19 doubles and 7 triples in 1980.

He also stole 13 bases that year. Peters drew walks at a decent clip and finished in the top 10 in a few AL categories during his peak.

His patient approach at the plate helped him stay consistent offensively.

Defensive Versatility

Most of the time, Peters played in the outfield, especially center field. His speed and instincts made him a good fit out there.

Detroit moved him around the outfield, and he handled all the positions well. Peters adapted quickly to new defensive roles.

He backed up his bat with a reliable glove. Peters gave his teams solid defense while still producing at the plate.

Memorable Performances and Highlights

Peters’ 1980 season really stands out. He finished 6th in AL Rookie of the Year voting with 3 points and was named a Topps All-Star Rookie.

That was his only full season in the majors, and he made the most of it. He put up career-high numbers across the board.

His play that year proved he belonged in the big leagues. The recognition showed how far he’d come from the minors.

Peters often came through in important moments. Detroit benefited from his clutch hitting during their competitive years.

Post-Playing Career and Coaching Impact

After retiring in 1986, Rick Peters moved into coaching and baseball management. He became a roving instructor for the Houston Astros and also managed their Auburn affiliate.

Roles with Houston Astros Organization

Peters joined the Astros as a coach after his playing days. He worked as a roving instructor, traveling to different minor league teams to help young players develop.

He shared his major league experience with prospects, especially with switch-hitting and outfield play. Peters gave players practical tips on the basics of pro baseball.

As a roving instructor, he evaluated talent across several teams. He focused on improving batting stances, fielding, and overall game approach for the players he worked with.

Peters’ coaching role felt like a natural next step after his playing career. He brought his five years of big league experience to his teaching.

Leadership with Auburn Astros

Peters later managed the Auburn Astros, a minor league affiliate. That job marked his move from instructor to team leader.

As manager, he handled daily lineups and player development plans. He ran practices and worked closely with players during games.

Managing the Auburn Astros gave Peters a chance to lead a team and help young players through the ups and downs of minor league baseball.

He worked with coaches and front office staff to decide which players were ready to move up. Peters played a key part in shaping the next wave of talent.

Later Life and Community Involvement

After his formal coaching days, Peters stayed involved with baseball. In 1990, he played 11 games for the Sun City Rays in the Senior Professional Baseball Association before the league folded.

That short run in the Senior League really showed how much he still loved the game. Peters batted just .118, but the league struggled financially and never really found its footing.

Not much is out there about Peters’ later community involvement or personal life. He kept finding ways to stay connected to baseball up until his death on March 9, 2025, at age 69.

Legacy, Recognition, and Personal Life

Rick Peters made a real mark on baseball, especially through mentoring young players and being one of the very few African-American managers in pro ball. He finished sixth in the 1980 Rookie of the Year voting, but honestly, his biggest impact came after his playing days.

Influences and Relationships in Baseball

Peters probably got some of his athletic skills from his dad, Simon Peters, who played semipro baseball in California and even spent time with the Harlem Globetrotters. Growing up with that kind of influence shaped Rick’s talents from the start.

While playing, Peters built relationships with some key baseball figures. Bill Lajoie, a Tigers executive, really believed in him, once saying, “I have been a fan of Rick Peters since the first day I saw him play as a freshman at Arizona State.”

Manager Sparky Anderson tried to help Peters tone down his flashy playing style. Peters admitted, “I’ve had a few talks with the skipper, and he told me I’d been labeled a hot dog because I pop off.”

Coach Gates Brown always had Peters’ back, saying, “I tell you what, even if he is a hot dog, he does everything that is expected of him. He plays with zest and gung-ho.”

Peters thought Dusty Baker, Don Baylor, and Davey Lopes would make good managers. Turns out, all three later managed in the majors.

Awards and Honors

Peters’ biggest recognition came in 1980, when he finished sixth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. That was pretty impressive, considering he didn’t become a regular starter until halfway through the season after Kirk Gibson got hurt.

At Arizona State, Peters racked up some serious honors. He was named an All-American and earned First Team All-WAC honors. In 18 WAC games, he batted .426 while playing center field for the Sun Devils.

He played on Arizona State’s 1977 College World Series championship team. That squad had future big leaguers like Bob Horner and Hubie Brooks. During Peters’ four years there, Arizona State made three trips to the College World Series.

In the majors, Peters posted a .277 career batting average and a .356 on-base percentage over five seasons. He finished with 255 hits, including 34 doubles, 10 triples, and 2 home runs.

Passing and Tributes

Richard Devin Peters passed away on March 9, 2025, at age 69. His death closed the book on a life that revolved around baseball, both as a player and a mentor for young athletes.

After he finished his playing days in 1986, Peters went back to Arizona State University and finished a degree in physical education. He then coached the Sun Devils, and later jumped into the Houston Astros organization as a roving instructor.

In 1990, Peters took on the job of managing the Auburn Astros in the Low-A New York-Penn League. Not many African-American managers worked in professional baseball at the time, but he led the team to a 31-46 record in his only season as a minor-league manager.

Peters eventually decided to leave professional baseball and focus on his family in Arizona. He joined the Tempe Parks and Recreation Department, where he put together youth camps for kids who wanted to play ball. That job let him keep passing on his baseball knowledge to a new generation.

He made his last professional appearance in 1990 with the Sun City Rays of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He played 11 games there before the league folded.