Bob Molinaro – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

You probably won’t find Bob Molinaro’s name on any Hall of Fame plaques, but honestly, his story captures the real spirit of pro baseball in the 1970s and early ’80s.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, on May 21, 1950, this determined outfielder managed to put together an eight-season major league run from 1975 to 1983. He bounced around five teams in both leagues, never quite settling but always sticking with it.

Molinaro hung up his cleats after the 1983 season, closing out a professional career that stretched 18 years when you count his long minor league trek. His last big league game came on October 2, 1983, wearing a Detroit Tigers uniform—the same club that gave him his first shot eight years before.

A lefty hitter, Molinaro put up a .264 average with 14 homers and 90 RBIs in 337 major league games.

When you dig into Molinaro’s career, you see all the ups and downs of a journeyman player. He went from New Jersey high school ball to a post-playing gig managing in the minors, showing just how much dedication it takes to hang around pro baseball, especially back when the sport was changing fast.

Bob Molinaro’s Baseball Career Overview

Molinaro played in the majors from 1975 to 1983. That’s eight seasons, five different teams, and a lot of suitcases.

He started out with the Detroit Tigers at 25 and wrapped things up with them, too, after stops with four other clubs.

Early MLB Debut and Final Season

Bob Molinaro made his MLB debut on September 18, 1975, with the Tigers. He only got his shot after seven years grinding in the minors.

Just two days later, on September 20, 1975, Molinaro notched his first three big league hits in a 5-1 win over the Red Sox at Tiger Stadium. That first hit? A triple to left off Luis Tiant, then an RBI single that chased Tiant in the fourth.

He played only five games as a rookie in 1975. The Tigers used him just once in 1977 before the White Sox grabbed him off waivers.

His final MLB game was October 2, 1983, back in Detroit. That 1983 season marked his return after bouncing around. The Phillies had released him in June, and Detroit picked him up in September.

Teams Played For in Major League Baseball

Molinaro suited up for five different teams:

Team	Years	Games Played
Detroit Tigers	1975, 1977, 1983	Multiple stints
Chicago White Sox	1977-1978, 1980-1981	Two separate periods
Baltimore Orioles	1979	8 games
Chicago Cubs	1982	65 games
Philadelphia Phillies	1982-1983	38 games total

The Chicago White Sox gave him his best shot at regular playing time. He played full seasons there in 1978, 1980, and 1981.

His Orioles stint lasted just eight games in 1979. The Cubs brought him in during 1982 to wrap up a trade for Lynn McGlothen.

Career Longevity and Key Moments

Molinaro’s pro baseball life stretched 18 years, from 1968 to 1985. His big league time covered eight seasons, with a .264 average, 14 home runs, and 90 RBIs.

He hit his stride with the White Sox in the early ’80s. Chicago gave him regular at-bats as a lefty outfielder who threw right-handed.

He changed teams a few times—Chicago claimed him off waivers in 1977, and Philadelphia picked him up in 1982. The Phillies tried to get him through a complicated trade for Mike Krukow, but league rules made a mess of it.

After his MLB days ended in 1983, Molinaro managed in the minors. He worked in the South Atlantic, Eastern, Pacific Coast, and Florida State leagues from 1986 to 1991.

Early Life and Amateur Development

Robert Joseph Molinaro was born May 21, 1950, in Newark, New Jersey. That city shaped his early life and set the stage for his baseball journey.

He stood out at Essex Catholic High School, catching the eye of scouts and earning a second-round pick from the Detroit Tigers in the 1968 MLB draft.

Family Background and Hometown

Molinaro entered the world in Newark, New Jersey, on May 21, 1950. Newark in the ’50s and ’60s was a gritty, working-class place where baseball was a big deal.

That city gave him a taste of tough, competitive baseball. Growing up there, he learned to play hard and compete.

His family backed his athletic dreams from the start. That support, plus Newark’s environment, helped him develop as a lefty hitter and righty thrower.

High School Baseball Achievements

At Essex Catholic High School, Molinaro played outfield and really sharpened his skills. The school’s program gave him a chance to show off for scouts.

He impressed enough to get the attention of major league teams. Even as a high schooler, he showed the hitting and defense that would define his pro days.

That coaching and competition at Essex Catholic set him up for the jump to pro ball. He left high school as a real MLB prospect.

1968 MLB Draft and Signing

The Detroit Tigers picked Molinaro in the second round of the 1968 June Amateur Draft. He went straight from Essex Catholic to pro ball, skipping college.

Draft Details:

• Team: Detroit Tigers
• Round: 2nd round
• Year: 1968
• Draft Type: June Amateur Draft

Molinaro signed with Detroit just 10 days after the draft, on June 7, 1968. That quick deal showed both his eagerness to get started and the Tigers’ belief in his talent.

Signing that early kicked off what would turn into an 18-year pro career. Getting picked in the second round said a lot about how scouts viewed his potential.

Major League Performance and Statistics

Bob Molinaro finished with a .264 batting average over 401 major league games from 1975 to 1983. He racked up 212 hits and 14 home runs.

He had his best year in 1980 with the White Sox, putting up a 1.0 WAR and a .752 OPS.

Batting Average and Offensive Metrics

Molinaro’s career batting average of .264 shows he could make contact. In 1980, he hit .291 for Chicago in 119 games, which was easily his best season.

He showed good plate discipline with a career .324 on-base percentage. That skill helped him, especially during his White Sox years.

Molinaro’s .375 slugging percentage points to some power, but nothing crazy. In 1980, he slugged .404, his high-water mark.

His .699 OPS over his career was solid for a role player back then. In 1980, he peaked at .752 OPS, showing he could contribute when given a shot.

Home Runs, Runs, and Hits Accumulation

Molinaro piled up 212 hits in 803 at-bats. He got 100 hits in 1980, his best offensive year.

He scored 106 runs in his career, with 48 coming in 1980. His speed played a part—he swiped 46 bases overall.

He hit 14 home runs in the majors. The most he ever had in a season was six, back in 1978 with Chicago.

Molinaro also notched 25 doubles and 11 triples. Those triples showed off his speed and knack for finding the gaps.

Plate Appearances, OPS, rOBA, and WAR

He logged 893 plate appearances during his MLB career, with 384 of those coming in 1980. Chicago gave him the most playing time.

His career .699 OPS was just a hair below league average, but he made the most of his chances. In 1981, he posted a .782 OPS in only 47 games.

His .327 rOBA showed he had some offensive value for his era. In 1981, he upped that to .393, proving he could come through in big spots.

He ended up with a career WAR of 0.9. In 1980 alone, he reached 1.0 WAR, showing his worth as a role player and pinch-hitter.

Defensive Contributions and Total Zone

We don’t have a ton of Total Zone stats for Molinaro’s era, but his ability to play all over the outfield made him valuable. He spent most of his time in right and center.

He also filled in as a designated hitter, especially with the White Sox. That versatility kept him on rosters.

His fielding numbers say he was steady, not flashy. Teams liked his reliability and smarts more than any highlight-reel defense.

Molinaro’s defensive work paired well with his hitting, making him a solid utility guy who could help out in a pinch.

Season-by-Season Highlights: 1975–1983

Bob Molinaro’s MLB career stretched across nine seasons and six teams. He shined the most with the White Sox from 1977 to 1981.

His journey started with the Tigers and wrapped up with quick stops on a few National League clubs before he finished up in 1983.

Standout Years with the Chicago White Sox

The White Sox became Molinaro’s main home in the big leagues. Chicago picked him up off waivers from Detroit in September 1977.

He broke through in 1978, playing his first full MLB season. That was a big step—he finally became a regular on a major league roster.

Molinaro came back to the White Sox for two more full seasons in 1980 and 1981. Those years gave him the most stability and let him show what he could do as an outfielder.

During his Chicago run, Molinaro worked as both a pinch hitter and outfielder. His left-handed bat was useful against righties, and the team leaned on him for matchup advantages.

Notable Stints with the Detroit Tigers

Molinaro’s big league ride started and ended with the Tigers. He debuted on September 18, 1975, at 25, after a long minor league wait.

His first real highlight came just two days later, September 20, 1975, in a 5-1 win over Boston at Tiger Stadium. He picked up his first three hits, including a triple off Luis Tiant and an RBI single to knock Tiant out.

After a quiet 1975, he played just one game for Detroit in 1977 before Chicago grabbed him. He returned to the Tigers in September 1983 when they signed him as a free agent.

That last stint in Detroit lasted only eight games, but it brought his career full circle. His final MLB game came on October 2, 1983, closing the book where it all began.

Key Moments with Orioles, Cubs, and Phillies

Molinaro had some brief but memorable stints with three National League teams. In 1979, he played just eight games for the Baltimore Orioles and spent most of that year in the minors with the Iowa Oaks.

He landed with the Chicago Cubs in 1982 through a pretty tangled trade. On March 29, 1982, the White Sox sent Molinaro to the Cubs to complete an earlier deal from August 1981. He became the “player to be named later” in that exchange for Lynn McGlothen.

Molinaro played 65 games for the Cubs during the 1982 season. Then, on September 2, the Philadelphia Phillies bought his contract.

League rules made this move more complicated than it should’ve been. The Phillies had planned to get him as part of an earlier trade, but the Commissioner’s Office canceled that plan.

In Philadelphia, Molinaro played 19 games in 1982. He came back for 19 more in 1983 before the Phillies released him on June 6.

1983: Final MLB Season and Stats

The 1983 season closed out Molinaro’s major league career. He started the year with the Phillies but got released on June 6 after 19 games.

After that, Molinaro went back to the minors with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. Honestly, this sort of back-and-forth between majors and minors seemed to define his career.

He got one last MLB shot in September when the Detroit Tigers signed him as a free agent. Molinaro played eight more games for Detroit, so he ended up with 27 big league appearances in 1983.

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .264
• Home Runs: 14
• RBI: 90
• Games Played: 401

Molinaro’s last MLB game was on October 2, 1983. That wrapped up an 18-year professional baseball run that started way back in 1968.

Minor League Journey and Transition to Retirement

Bob Molinaro’s pro baseball days stretched far beyond his eight seasons in the majors. He played 18 seasons total, from 1968 to 1985.

He moved through various minor league systems and eventually found his way into coaching. That really showed how committed he was to the sport.

Progress Through Tigers’ Farm System

The Detroit Tigers picked Molinaro in the second round of the 1968 MLB draft and got his pro career started.

He played for the GCL Tigers that year and hit .324 in 55 games, which is a solid start by any measure.

Molinaro spent a few more years working his way up the Tigers’ farm system. In 1975, he broke through with the Evansville Triplets, earning American Association All-Star honors.

That season, he hit .287, knocked 13 homers, and stole 26 bases. Detroit called him up to the majors in September 1975, and he hit .263 in six games.

He kept splitting time between Detroit and Evansville through 1977. His minor league success kept opening the door for big league chances.

Minor League Stints Post-MLB

After his last MLB game in 1983, Molinaro tried to make a comeback in 1985. He played 111 games with the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings in the Orioles organization.

He batted .250 with 12 home runs that year. That marked the end of his long playing career.

Molinaro also looked for other ways to keep playing. In 1989, he joined the Gold Coast Suns in the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He hit .298 with 5 home runs, 36 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.

The next year, he played 22 games for the Fort Myers Sun Sox in the same league. He batted .339 before the league folded. Those years gave him a last shot at competitive baseball.

Shift Into Coaching and Management Roles

After retiring as a player, Molinaro jumped right into managing. He started in 1986 with the Hagerstown Suns in the Carolina League and led them to a 91-48 record with a first-place finish.

He managed several minor league teams through 1991. He worked with the Canton-Akron Indians, Colorado Springs Sky Sox, and Charlotte Rangers, gaining experience with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers organizations.

Charlie Manuel replaced Molinaro during the 1990 season with Colorado Springs after a 37-34 start. Even after that, he kept managing through 1991 with Charlotte.

He wrapped up his five-year managerial run with a lot of experience across different levels of the minors.

Legacy, Recognition, and Off-Field Life

Bob Molinaro’s eight-year major league career didn’t make huge headlines, but it definitely left a mark, especially for fans of journeyman players. His work as a minor league manager and his spot in baseball reference materials keep his name in the sport’s records.

Reputation Among Peers and Fans

Bob Molinaro built a reputation as a reliable utility outfielder who could fill in wherever needed. He played for five different major league teams, which says a lot about his steady presence in the clubhouse.

Teammates respected his professional approach with the Tigers, White Sox, Orioles, Phillies, and Cubs. His .264 career batting average shows he could make solid contact.

Phillies fans still remember his short time with the team during those competitive years in 1982 and 1983. Even though his role was small, he contributed to a roster packed with veterans.

Molinaro’s reputation went beyond stats. People in the game noticed his work ethic and his willingness to do whatever the team needed. That attitude probably helped him stick around the majors for eight years.

Awards and Honors

Robert Joseph Molinaro never grabbed any major individual awards during his career. His achievements showed up more in team success and just sticking around for so long.

Probably his biggest accomplishment was just maintaining a major league career from 1975 to 1983. That’s no small feat for someone who spent so much time in the minors.

The Tigers organization took note of his growth, too. He went from the Gulf Coast League in 1968 all the way to his major league debut in 1975.

He also played winter ball with the Leones del Caracas in Venezuela, which gave him a bit of international recognition.

Life After Baseball, Net Worth, and Public Presence

After retiring as a player in 1985, Molinaro moved into baseball management. He managed four different minor league teams from 1986 to 1991.

He took managerial jobs with the Hagerstown Suns (1986-1987), Canton-Akron Indians (1989), Colorado Springs Sky Sox (1990), and Port Charlotte Rangers (1991).

Net worth information for Molinaro isn’t public, but his 18-year career probably provided some financial stability. Still, minor league salaries back in the ’70s and ’80s were nothing like they are today.

Since leaving baseball, Molinaro has kept a pretty low profile. He hasn’t really shown up in the media or on social media in recent years.

Bob Molinaro in Baseball Reference and Almanacs

Baseball Reference shows off Molinaro’s career stats. He hit .264, knocked 14 home runs, and drove in 90 RBIs over 401 major league games.

Retrosheet breaks down his performance game by game. You can even find details about his first three hits against the Boston Red Sox on September 20, 1975 at Tiger Stadium.

Baseball Almanac highlights his hitting logs, especially from the 1983 season. That year, he played in 27 games with a few different teams.

Researchers and baseball historians can dig into Molinaro’s career thanks to these sources. His stats sit right there in those big databases that track every major league player’s numbers.

You’ll also find his complete minor league record. He worked his way through seven leagues and played for 13 teams over his 18-year professional career.