Mark Littell – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mark Alan Littell made a name for himself during his nine-year run in Major League Baseball before he retired in 1982 at just 29. Born in Missouri, he pitched for both the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals, becoming a reliable relief pitcher with a 3.32 career ERA and 56 saves between 1976 and 1981.

Chronic bone spurs in his right elbow ended Littell’s career suddenly in the middle of the 1982 season, forcing him into early retirement. Even with a shortened career, he left his mark on baseball history—especially for giving up Chris Chambliss’s walk-off homer that finished the 1976 American League Championship Series.

Fans called him “Country” and “Ramrod.” Littell experienced both highs and heartbreak in the majors. His story, from small-town Missouri to Yankee Stadium’s spotlight and then to some pretty creative post-baseball ventures, really shows how he battled adversity on and off the field.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Mark Alan Littell was born January 17, 1953, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He grew up in Gideon, a tiny Bootheel town. His road to pro baseball was shaped by his family’s situation and the rural Missouri baseball scene of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Family Background

Littell’s early baseball days were shaped by his father’s military service and injuries from war. His dad got wounded in the Korean War—a gunshot to his right arm and shrapnel from an explosive. That injury made it almost impossible for him to play catch with Mark.

“His dad played catch with him only once,” according to Missouri Sports Hall of Fame records. With no classic father-son baseball moments, Littell had to get creative to develop his pitching.

He practiced by throwing clods of dirt at his brother. “Most of the time, I would throw clods at my brother and, once he got the hang of catching, I started getting closer to the zone,” Littell remembered. This odd approach helped him build the arm strength that would eventually take him to the big leagues.

High School and Local Baseball in Missouri

Littell graduated from Gideon High School in 1971. Early on, he faced setbacks—he got cut from a travel ball team in his hometown. But instead of quitting, that rejection just made him more determined.

“I didn’t make the travel ball team so I worked a little bit harder,” Littell said. “So when I made the team the next year, everybody knew I had a good arm.”

American Legion Baseball became a big deal for Littell’s growth and exposure. The competition was way tougher than high school baseball, since it combined talent from several schools.

“It was Legion ball that made you,” Littell said. “You’re in much better competition. It’s all eight to 10 high schools combined.” That level of play helped him get noticed by pro scouts.

The Kansas City Royals picked Littell in the 12th round of the 1971 MLB June Amateur Draft. He managed this despite having limited coaching in rural Missouri at the time.

Cape Girardeau Roots

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was his birthplace and the spot where his baseball story began. It’s in southeastern Missouri, right by the Mississippi River, and it gave him a solid foundation.

He later moved to Gideon, even smaller and deeper in Missouri’s Bootheel. That rural life meant fewer baseball resources and not much coaching compared to bigger towns.

“It was hard back then to find a coach that could teach much about pitching,” Littell admitted. So, his climb to the pros feels even more impressive.

The Bootheel’s farming lifestyle and tight-knit community shaped Littell’s work ethic and grit. That’s how he earned the nickname “Country” in the majors, a nod to his Missouri roots.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Mark Littell pitched in Major League Baseball from 1973 to 1982. He mainly worked as a relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. Over nine years, he put up a 3.32 ERA and 56 saves, but elbow injuries ended things too soon.

MLB Debut and Early Seasons

Littell broke into the majors on June 14, 1973, with the Kansas City Royals at just 20. The Royals had picked him in the 12th round of the 1971 draft, and he started out as a pitcher.

He spent most of his rookie year bouncing between the big leagues and Triple-A Omaha. His work in the minors was so good, he earned American Association pitcher of the year honors in 1973.

After spending all of 1974 in the minors, Littell came back to Kansas City in 1975. That’s when he started shifting from starter to relief pitcher, a role that would define his career.

Kansas City Royals Tenure

Littell had his best years with the Kansas City Royals from 1975 to 1977. Manager Whitey Herzog named him the team’s closer in May 1976, and it really paid off.

In 1976, Littell put up a 2.08 ERA with 16 saves, helping the Royals win their first American League West division title. He allowed just one home run all regular season, so Chris Chambliss’s walk-off in the ALCS stung that much more.

He kept it up in 1977 with 12 saves and even made five starts. The Royals grabbed another division title but lost to the Yankees again in the playoffs.

St. Louis Cardinals Tenure

The St. Louis Cardinals traded for Littell in December 1977, sending Al Hrabosky to Kansas City. Littell’s early days in St. Louis looked promising—he saved 13 games in 1979 and kept a 2.53 ERA over his first two seasons.

But elbow problems started catching up with him. Bone spurs meant he needed surgery before both the 1980 and 1981 seasons, so he started each year on the disabled list.

Littell’s career wrapped up in June 1982 when the Cardinals designated him for assignment. Even though he was still with the organization during their World Series run, his pitching days were done at 29 because of his elbow.

Kansas City Royals: 1973–1977

Littell’s early time with Kansas City showed his growth from a young prospect to the team’s main closer. His peak came during the Royals’ championship runs in 1976 and 1977, though those years brought both big moments and tough losses.

Rising to Closer Role

Littell debuted in the majors on June 14, 1973, with the Royals as a starter. He spent most of that season in Omaha, where his performance earned him the American Association’s pitcher of the year.

After a full year in the minors in 1974, Littell returned to Kansas City in 1975. His role wasn’t set in stone until May 1976 when Whitey Herzog made a big call.

Herzog tapped Littell as the closer, seeing his potential in relief. That move changed Littell’s career and the way the Royals used their bullpen.

The switch worked right away. Littell racked up 16 saves in 1976 with a fantastic 2.08 ERA. He was so dominant he gave up just one home run that whole regular season.

1976 American League Championship Series

The 1976 ALCS was both the high point and the heartbreaker of Littell’s career. The Royals battled the Yankees in a tight series that went all five games.

Herzog leaned on Littell for clutch moments, since he’d been one of the league’s best closers all season.

Game 5, Yankee Stadium, October 14, 1976. The score was tied 6-6 in the bottom of the ninth when Littell took the mound.

Chris Chambliss led off for the Yankees. Littell threw a pitch, and Chambliss crushed it over the right field wall for a walk-off home run.

That moment ended the Royals’ title hopes and haunted Littell for years. It was especially painful given how few home runs he’d allowed all season.

Memorable Games and Achievements

Littell’s 1976 season was the peak of his Royals career. His 16 saves led the team and helped them clinch their first American League West title.

In 1977, Littell faced new challenges. He notched 12 saves and made five starts, showing off his flexibility as a pitcher.

That year, he struck out 106 in 104⅔ innings with a 3.61 ERA. His ability to handle multiple roles made him valuable to Herzog’s staff.

The Royals repeated as division champs in 1977, but the Yankees knocked them out again in the ALCS. Littell pitched in two games that series.

After the 1977 season, the Royals traded Littell and Buck Martinez to the St. Louis Cardinals for Al Hrabosky on December 8, 1977.

St. Louis Cardinals: 1978–1982 and Retirement

Littell joined the Cardinals in December 1977 when they traded Al Hrabosky to Kansas City. He started strong as a reliable reliever, but bone spurs and recurring elbow trouble cut his career short in the middle of the 1982 championship season.

Trade to the Cardinals

The Cardinals picked up Littell and catcher Buck Martinez from Kansas City on December 8, 1977, swapping them for fan-favorite closer Al Hrabosky. That trade marked a big change for both teams.

Littell brought his proven closer experience to St. Louis. The Royals had counted on him, especially during their playoff runs.

The Cardinals saw Littell as a key bullpen piece. His experience in pressure situations made him a great fit for a team looking to shore up its relief pitching.

Key Highlights and Notable Appearances

Littell’s best years as a Cardinal came in 1979 and early in his St. Louis stint. He logged 13 saves in 1979, making himself a valuable part of the bullpen.

His first two years in St. Louis showed off his skill, as he posted a 2.53 ERA. He really looked like the reliever the Cardinals needed.

Notable moment: On August 10, 1981, Pete Rose got his 3,631st career hit off Littell, making Rose the National League’s all-time hits leader. That’s a bit of baseball history right there.

After 1979, Littell struggled with arm issues. Bone spurs in his elbow led to several surgeries, so he had to start both the 1980 and 1981 seasons on the disabled list.

Retirement in 1982 and Legacy

The Cardinals designated Littell for assignment in June 1982, even as the team chased a championship. He took an assignment to the Louisville Bats, their Triple-A club.

In July 1982, another elbow injury put Littell back on the disabled list. The bone spurs just wouldn’t let up, and he couldn’t pitch the way he wanted.

Career Statistics:

• Win-Loss Record: 32-31
• ERA: 3.32
• Strikeouts: 466
• Saves: 56

He retired after the 1982 season at 29, his career stopped short by persistent elbow problems. The Cardinals won the World Series that year, but Littell was no longer on the roster.

Littell’s legacy lives on through his impact on two franchises and his reputation as a steady closer during the competitive late ‘70s.

Signature Moments and Historic Events

Mark Littell’s career had its share of defining moments in Major League Baseball. The biggest? His role in the 1976 American League Championship Series. But he also made his mark with steady saves and some memorable strikeouts against baseball legends.

Chris Chambliss Walk-Off Home Run Incident

Mark Littell’s most unforgettable moment happened on October 14, 1976, during Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. The Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees were tied 6-6 in the ninth inning, and Littell got the call to the mound, hoping to keep his team’s World Series dreams alive.

Manager Whitey Herzog felt so confident, he told the Royals to pack for Cincinnati before the game. The Reds were already waiting for their next opponent.

George Brett had just smashed a three-run homer in the eighth to tie things up. Yankees fans reacted by hurling batteries, bottles, and whatever else they could find onto the field.

Chris Chambliss came up in the bottom of the ninth. Littell fired a fastball that caught a bit too much of the zone, and Chambliss drilled it for a walk-off home run, sending the Yankees to the World Series.

Littell took the loss hard. He later admitted he hid in the shower before facing reporters. “I won and saved a lot of important games in my career, but I guess I’ll always be remembered for that one pitch,” Littell reflected years later.

Other Noteworthy MLB Moments

Even with the Chambliss home run hanging over him, Littell put together some pretty memorable games. He picked up the win for the St. Louis Cardinals when Lou Brock notched his 3,000th hit—a huge moment in baseball.

Facing Hank Aaron for the first time, Littell struck out the home run legend on three straight pitches. He went slider, fastball, then another fastball. That’s gutsy.

“I always enjoyed pitching against the big power hitters because I owned a few of them,” Littell once said. The numbers backed him up—he held Mike Schmidt to a .133 average in 15 at-bats.

He also got the better of Hall of Famers like Rod Carew and Carlton Fisk. Littell really did step up when the competition was toughest.

Impact on Team Success

For two seasons, Littell served as Kansas City’s primary closer, notching 56 saves between 1976 and 1981. His career ERA of 3.32 showed he was pretty darn reliable over nine years.

The Royals leaned on Littell in the late innings during their mid-1970s playoff runs. He shut down some tough lineups, helping Kansas City make it to the American League Championship Series.

Kansas City traded Littell to St. Louis with Buck Martinez for Al Hrabosky in 1978. He kept contributing with the Cardinals, bringing veteran leadership and steady relief pitching.

Unfortunately, bone spurs in his elbow ended his career midway through 1982 when he was just 29. Even with the early exit, Littell made a big impact on both franchises during his decade in the game.

Life After Baseball and Personal Pursuits

After retiring in 1982, Mark Littell didn’t just fade away. He took on new roles as a coach, author, and even an inventor. He spent years mentoring young players, writing, and inventing protective sports gear.

Coaching and Mentoring

Littell stayed close to baseball as a coach at all sorts of levels after his playing days. He worked as a minor league pitching coach for several organizations, sharing what he’d learned with up-and-coming players.

His coaching philosophy drew from his own setbacks. Littell had once been cut from a travel team as a kid, but he fought his way to the big leagues.

He gave back to youth baseball, too. Littell worked with players at all levels, helping them develop their skills and love for the game.

He always emphasized fundamentals and mental toughness. Having been a closer in high-pressure situations, he had some real-world advice for young pitchers.

Author and Speaker

After baseball, Littell wrote and spoke about his experiences in the game. He shared stories from his time with the Royals and Cardinals, giving people a peek behind the curtain.

He talked a lot about overcoming adversity and the value of perseverance. Getting cut early in his career just made him work harder.

Littell wrote about the mental side of pitching and what it takes to compete at the highest level. His stories felt honest and relatable, which made them stick.

People connected with his talks because he told it like it was. He linked his baseball journey to bigger lessons about grit and determination.

Inventing the Nutty Buddy

Littell didn’t stop at coaching and writing—he also invented the Nutty Buddy protective cup. This gear aimed to make sports safer, especially for young and amateur athletes.

He came up with the idea after years of seeing (and probably feeling) sports injuries. Littell saw a need for better protection and decided to do something about it.

His Nutty Buddy design offered more comfort and safety than old-school athletic cups. Players and coaches started to notice, and the product caught on.

Inventing the Nutty Buddy kept Littell involved in sports long after he stopped playing. It showed how athletes can keep making a difference, even off the field.

Achievements, Honors, and Influence

Mark Littell carved out a reputation as a dependable relief pitcher over nine seasons, racking up 56 saves and a 3.32 ERA. He helped two Royals teams win their division and later got a nod from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Career Statistics and Records

Littell wrapped up his MLB career with a 32-31 record and a 3.32 ERA. He struck out 466 batters in those nine seasons.

Career Highlights:

• 56 career saves (1976-1981)
• 16 saves in 1976, leading the Royals
• 2.08 ERA in 1976 during the Royals’ division title run
• 466 career strikeouts

His best year was 1976, when Whitey Herzog made him the closer. Littell posted a 2.08 ERA and allowed just one home run the whole regular season.

In 1978 with St. Louis, he struck out hitters at a career-best rate—11 per nine innings. That’s some serious swing-and-miss stuff.

Recognition and Reputation

The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inducted Littell in 2016. They honored his work as both a player and coach, celebrating his journey from a Missouri farm to the majors.

People called him “Country” and “Ramrod.” Those nicknames fit his rural roots and his pitching style.

After baseball, he wrote three books: “On the 8th day, God Made Baseball,” “What’s Up Ramrod,” and “Country Boy: Conveniently Wild.” He shared stories from his time on the mound and in the dugout.

He also invented the “Nutty Buddy” athletic cup. Littell even put it to the test on YouTube by taking a pitch to the cup—can’t say he wasn’t committed.

Relationship with Teammates

Littell played key roles on some strong teams. He helped the Royals win division titles in 1976 and 1977, closing out games during those playoff runs.

Manager Whitey Herzog trusted Littell as his closer in Kansas City and later managed him again in St. Louis. That says a lot about the respect Littell earned.

He was part of the 1982 Cardinals World Series team. Although injuries forced him to retire midseason, he stayed connected to the club’s championship run.

His wife Marsha co-authored a magazine called “The Waiting Room” with Maryanne Simmons, wife of Cardinals catcher Ted Simmons. The magazine explored what it was like to be married to professional athletes.

Net Worth and Legacy

By the time he retired in 1982, Mark Littell had built up an estimated net worth of $5 million from his baseball career. But his legacy reached far beyond just money, touching community involvement and shaping the role of relief pitchers during a changing era in the sport.

Career Earnings and Investments

Littell’s estimated $5 million net worth came from his nine seasons in the majors. Most of his income came from contracts with the Royals and Cardinals between 1973 and 1982.

His best earning years were with the Cardinals from 1978 to 1982. When he posted a 2.53 ERA those first two seasons in St. Louis, he probably earned higher salaries—at least until arm injuries slowed him down.

Winning the 1982 World Series with the Cardinals brought bonuses and more recognition. That kind of success usually leads to better deals and endorsement chances.

After hanging up his glove, Littell coached in the minors, which brought in extra income and kept him close to the game he loved.

Philanthropy and Community Impact

Littell never forgot his Missouri roots. Born in Cape Girardeau and a Gideon High School grad, he stayed connected to his home state.

He worked with youth baseball programs, helping young players grow. His experience as a player and coach made him a great mentor.

Littell supported local baseball leagues and high school programs, always giving back. His American Legion days inspired his commitment to amateur baseball.

He gave to the community in other ways too, though most of his charity work stayed private. His family, including son Zachary Stuart Littell, kept him involved in local activities.

Enduring Influence in Baseball

Littell put up a 3.32 career ERA and racked up 56 saves between 1976 and 1981. He really became a reliable relief pitcher right as baseball started leaning into specialized bullpen roles.

He helped shape what the closer position means in modern baseball.

Fans still talk about some of his unforgettable moments, like the time he gave up Pete Rose’s 3,631st hit on August 10, 1981. That pitch tied Littell directly to one of the sport’s most iconic records.

People called him “Country” and “Ramrod,” nicknames that matched his Missouri roots and the way he attacked hitters. Those names stuck and became part of baseball’s quirky folklore.

Littell battled bone spurs, and that injury ended his career when he was just 29. His story made people pay more attention to the toll pitching takes on the arm.