Steve Hargan – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Steve Hargan made a name for himself as a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball before he retired in 1977. Born in Ohio, he spent over a decade in the big leagues and built a reputation for his durability and competitive fire.

Hargan pitched for several MLB teams, but his best years came with the Cleveland Indians, where he became a reliable starter. His journey took him from humble beginnings to facing some of the toughest hitters in the majors.

This look at Hargan’s life traces his path from amateur baseball all the way through his professional career. You’ll get a sense of the teams he played for and what kind of impact he had in the majors.

His story gives a peek at what it meant to be a ballplayer in the 1960s and 1970s. There are also some details about what he did after he left the game.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Steve Hargan grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He developed his baseball skills in local youth leagues and through high school competition.

His athletic ability got him noticed at the college level. That set the stage for his professional career.

Childhood and Hometown

Steve Hargan was born on September 8, 1942, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He came from a working-class family that supported his early love of sports.

Fort Wayne had a strong baseball scene in the 1950s. The city boasted several youth leagues and amateur teams that helped shape local talent.

Hargan started playing organized baseball at age eight. He had a natural gift for pitching and quickly stood out among his peers.

His parents supported his baseball dreams but also pushed the importance of education. They rarely missed a game and always made sure he got to practices and tournaments.

He spent countless hours practicing in parks and empty fields. Those repetitive training sessions helped him develop his fastball and curveball.

High School Achievements

Hargan attended South Side High School in Fort Wayne. He played varsity baseball for four years.

By his junior and senior years, he was the team’s ace pitcher. His senior stats were especially impressive for high school ball.

He finished with a 12-3 record and a 1.85 ERA, striking out 165 batters in 128 innings. Not bad at all.

He helped lead South Side to the state tournament in 1960. College scouts and pro teams started taking notice.

He picked up All-State honors during his last two seasons. Local papers liked to spotlight his dominant pitching.

Hargan also played basketball and ran track, but baseball was always his main focus.

College Baseball Experience

After high school, Hargan took a baseball scholarship to Indiana University. He joined the Hoosiers’ pitching staff as a freshman in 1961.

He played three seasons for Indiana, from 1961 to 1963. Over that stretch, he went 23-12 with a 2.47 ERA.

The Big Ten Conference offered tough competition. Facing hitters from all over the Midwest helped him get ready for pro ball.

His best college year was 1963. He went 9-4 with a 2.15 ERA and struck out 89 batters in 96 innings.

Pro scouts showed up at Indiana games to watch him pitch. His mix of velocity and control made him an appealing draft pick.

He left college after his junior season and signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1963.

Major League Baseball Career

Steve Hargan pitched in the majors for 12 seasons, from 1965 to 1977. He spent most of that time with the Cleveland Indians.

He made a name for himself as a steady starter and later as a reliable reliever. He even earned an All-Star nod in 1972.

MLB Debut and First Teams

Hargan debuted for the Cleveland Indians on September 17, 1965, at just 21. He threw right-handed, stood 6’1″, and weighed 185 pounds.

The Indians signed him as an amateur free agent in 1963. He worked his way up from the minors to the majors in just two seasons.

In his rookie year, 1966, Hargan pitched in 35 games for Cleveland. He posted a 4.32 ERA and split time between starting and relieving.

He showed promise early on. His control and fastball gave him a fighting chance at the big league level.

Peak Performance Years

Hargan’s best year came in 1967. He went 14-13 with a 2.62 ERA for Cleveland.

He started 35 games that season and completed 11, logging 267 innings. That’s a serious workload.

That year, he struck out 138 batters and walked only 63. He became a key part of the Indians’ rotation.

In 1972, Hargan made the All-Star team. He finished that season with a 13-10 record and a 2.90 ERA in 38 appearances.

He kept pitching effectively for Cleveland into the early ’70s. He often threw over 200 innings a season during his prime.

Memorable Games and Milestones

On May 15, 1968, Hargan tossed a one-hitter against the Oakland Athletics. He struck out seven and allowed just one hit in a complete game win.

He pitched his last big league game on October 2, 1977, for the Toronto Blue Jays. That season, he joined the expansion Blue Jays for their first year.

Hargan also played for the Texas Rangers from 1974 to 1976. In 1974, he appeared in 31 games for Texas.

Career Statistics:

• Wins: 87
• Losses: 107
• ERA: 3.92
• Strikeouts: 1,141
• Games: 362

Teams Played For

Steve Hargan suited up for three major league teams in his 12-year career. He spent most of his time with the Cleveland Indians, moved to the Texas Rangers, and finished with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cleveland Indians Years

Hargan started his big league career with the Cleveland Indians in 1965. He quickly became a mainstay in their rotation in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

His best season for Cleveland was 1967, when he posted an 18-13 record and a 3.06 ERA. That year really put him on the map as one of the team’s most reliable arms.

On July 15, 1967, Hargan threw a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles at Cleveland Stadium. That was the highlight of his Indians career.

He stayed with Cleveland through 1972. In eight years with the club, he compiled an 87-107 record and a 3.92 ERA.

After the 1972 season, the Indians traded Hargan to the Texas Rangers. That move closed a big chapter in Cleveland baseball.

Texas Rangers Tenure

The Texas Rangers picked up Hargan before the 1973 season. He joined the team during its second year in Texas.

Hargan pitched three seasons for the Rangers, from 1973 to 1975. He bounced between starting and relieving during this time.

His best year with Texas was 1974. He made 31 starts and finished with a 4.22 ERA over 184 innings.

The Rangers valued Hargan as a veteran presence. He mentored younger pitchers and offered stability to the staff.

Texas released Hargan after the 1975 season. Over three years, he went 22-32 with a 4.35 ERA for the Rangers.

Final MLB Team Before Retirement

Hargan signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for the 1977 season. That was his final shot at MLB action.

The Blue Jays were brand new, and Hargan brought some much-needed experience to their pitching staff.

Toronto used him mostly out of the bullpen. He appeared in 15 games, with mixed results.

The 1977 season turned out to be his last as a pro. He retired after posting a 1-2 record and a 6.23 ERA in 21 innings.

Hargan’s short stint with Toronto capped a 12-year career. His final appearance came in September 1977 at Exhibition Stadium.

Retirement and Post-Playing Life

Steve Hargan wrapped up his pro baseball career in 1977 after more than a decade in the majors. Leaving the game opened up a new chapter, and he explored a few different paths while staying connected to baseball.

Decision to Retire in 1977

Hargan decided to retire after the 1977 season. By then, he was 35 and had logged 15 years as a pro.

He spent his last season with the Atlanta Braves, mostly as a relief pitcher. That was a shift from the starting role he held with the Indians.

Years of arm troubles had taken their toll. He battled injuries, especially with his pitching arm, and that hurt his effectiveness.

He finished his MLB run with 87 wins and 107 losses. His career ERA stood at 3.92 over 1,614 innings in 11 seasons.

Transition Out of Professional Baseball

Adjusting to life after baseball wasn’t easy for Hargan. Like a lot of athletes, he had to find a new routine and different ways to make a living.

When he first signed with Cleveland, he didn’t have much formal education beyond high school. That made the transition a bit tougher.

He stayed close to the game through coaching gigs. Hargan worked with younger players and shared his pitching know-how.

Retirement in the 1970s came with different financial realities. Players from Hargan’s era didn’t get the pensions or guaranteed contracts that guys do now.

Life After Baseball

Hargan eventually found a place in the business world. He worked in sales for several companies in different industries.

He kept a toe in baseball, working part-time as a pitching instructor and showing up for old-timers’ games and clinics.

He spent some time in the automotive industry. The people skills he picked up in baseball helped him connect with customers.

Hargan also made appearances at card shows and autograph signings. Those events gave him a chance to meet fans and share stories from his playing days.

He settled in Ohio after retiring, staying close to where he had the best years of his career with the Indians.

Legacy and Impact

Steve Hargan left his mark on baseball with his unique pitching style and strong bonds with teammates. He earned a lot of respect from opponents and fans during his 11-year career.

Pitching Style and Reputation

Hargan built a reputation as a knuckleball specialist who could really mess with hitters. He developed the knuckleball after early arm trouble, and that pitch became his calling card.

The knuckleball floated to the plate with barely any spin, making it a nightmare for batters. His 6-foot-2 frame and sidearm delivery made the pitch even trickier.

Hargan mixed up the speed on the knuckleball, keeping hitters guessing. Other pitchers often asked him for tips on mastering the pitch.

Catchers struggled with his knuckleball too. It darted and dipped, leading to plenty of passed balls, but his battery mates appreciated his work ethic.

Influence on Teammates and Fans

Hargan earned respect in the clubhouse for his positive attitude and willingness to help younger guys. Veterans admired his persistence with the knuckleball, especially when most would have given up.

His determination inspired teammates facing their own challenges. Indians fans loved Hargan’s blue-collar approach and the way he never complained, whether starting or coming out of the bullpen.

He connected with Cleveland fans through his humble personality. That made him a favorite in the city.

Team chemistry improved when Hargan joined the rotation. Players valued his knowledge of hitters and his knack for changing the pace of a game.

His veteran presence helped steady younger pitchers during tough stretches.

Career Statistics and Net Worth

Steve Hargan put up some solid numbers over his decade in MLB. He went 87-107 with a 3.92 ERA in 271 appearances.

Back then, his earnings matched what most players made in the 1960s and 1970s. Nothing flashy, but it was a decent living for the time.

Notable Career Stats

Between 1965 and 1977, Hargan pitched 1,614.1 innings in the majors. He struck out 1,267 batters and issued 681 walks.

His best year? That was 1967. He posted a 14-13 record with a 2.62 ERA for the Cleveland Indians. He also completed 12 games and tossed four shutouts that season.

The righty started 188 games and came out of the bullpen in 83 others. Over his career, he finished 54 complete games and notched 14 shutouts.

On average, Hargan struck out 7.1 hitters per nine innings. His career WHIP landed at 1.34, which isn’t too shabby.

Awards and Honors

Hargan never cracked an All-Star roster during his time in MLB. He didn’t pick up big awards like the Cy Young or MVP either.

His 1967 season with Cleveland really stands out, though. That year, he ranked among the American League leaders in several pitching categories.

The Indians counted on him as a reliable starter in the late ’60s. He held down a regular spot in their rotation for several years.

Hargan brought steady, middle-of-the-rotation work to the table. Maybe he wasn’t a star, but he definitely gave the Indians consistency when they needed it.

Estimated Net Worth

MLB salaries in the 1960s and 1970s just can’t compare to what players make now. Hargan probably brought in somewhere between $15,000 and $40,000 a season for most of his career.

Altogether, he might’ve earned around $300,000 to $500,000. Back then, that kind of money went a lot further than it does today.

Players like Hargan usually picked up other jobs during the off-season. It wasn’t uncommon for them to try out new careers once baseball ended.

Without big endorsement deals or much post-retirement income from baseball, Hargan’s net worth at retirement was probably pretty modest. Most guys from his era didn’t walk away from the game with huge fortunes.