John Briggs – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

John Briggs wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1975, finishing off a journey that started in the gritty city of Paterson, New Jersey. The left-handed outfielder played his final game on September 28, 1975, going 1-for-3 with a run scored as the Minnesota Twins lost to the Chicago White Sox.

His last at-bat? A double in the seventh inning, right before the manager pulled him for a pinch-hitter.

Briggs put together a respectable .253 career batting average with 139 home runs and 507 RBIs in 1,366 games, playing for three teams from 1964 to 1975. He started off with the Philadelphia Phillies for eight seasons, then moved on to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he finally got steady playing time, and ended his run in Minnesota.

This multi-sport athlete from Eastside High School didn’t exactly burst onto the scene, but he grew into a reliable contributor. Milwaukee even put him on their all-decade team for the 1970s.

His story? It’s about scrapping for playing time, finding his groove in new cities, and eventually leaving baseball for a career in law enforcement back home.

Early Life and Path to the Major Leagues

John Edward Briggs was born March 10, 1944, in Paterson, New Jersey, into a big working-class family. His athletic skills showed up early at Eastside High School, where he stood out in several sports and eventually caught the eyes of big-league scouts.

Family Background and Education

John grew up as the seventh of ten kids born to Jessie and Nettie Briggs. The family lived in Paterson, a city nicknamed “Silk City” for its bustling silk mills.

Paterson became America’s first industrial city, drawing working-class families with factory jobs. During World War II, Wright Aeronautics cranked out aircraft engines there.

Briggs’ dad, a huge baseball fan, cheered on his son’s sports dreams. Sadly, he died in 1963, never getting to see Johnny play pro ball.

After finishing Eastside High School in 1961, Briggs took classes at Seton Hall University’s Paterson campus for a while. But there’s no record of him playing baseball for Seton Hall.

High School Sports Career

At Eastside High, Briggs made a name for himself as a standout in three sports: baseball, football, and basketball. He earned All-State honors in all three.

He stood 6-foot-1 and weighed about 190 pounds, a solid build for a high schooler. People mostly remember him for launching long home runs on the baseball field.

His achievements left a mark—Eastside High eventually inducted him into their Sports Hall of Fame. That says a lot about how much he meant to the school.

Signing with the Philadelphia Phillies

On September 12, 1962, Briggs signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for an $8,000 bonus. Phillies scout Jocko Collins showed up at the Briggs home just before the Mets scouts could make their offer.

Briggs later admitted he kind of wished he’d heard what the Mets wanted to offer. “I never found out the kind of offer the Mets had in mind for me,” he said in 2011. “I sure would’ve liked to have known, because I know the Mets’ scout, Pete Gebrian, liked me a heck of a lot.”

Collins’ timing really made the difference for the Phillies.

Minor League Experience

The Phillies sent Briggs to their Bakersfield affiliate in the Class A California League for the 1963 season. That turned out to be his only year in the minors.

He made quite an impression at Bakersfield. Briggs led the team with 234 total bases and slugged .500. He also belted 21 home runs, a number he’d match twice in the majors.

On defense, Briggs racked up 16 assists in the outfield but also had ten errors. Still, his bat was strong enough to earn him a spot on the Phillies’ 1964 major league roster.

His breakout season at Bakersfield showed he was ready for the big leagues at just 20 years old.

Major League Career Highlights

John Briggs played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1964 to 1975. He built a reputation as a steady outfielder and sometimes first baseman.

He had some memorable moments, like a rare six-hit game in 1973. His steady offense even got him some MVP votes during his Milwaukee days.

Philadelphia Phillies Years

Briggs kicked off his big-league career with the Phillies in 1964 at just 20. In his first two seasons, he mostly pinch-hit or played part-time in the outfield, making his debut on April 17, 1964.

He notched his first major league hit in his 11th game—a pinch single against the San Francisco Giants. On June 14, 1964, Briggs started against the Mets and went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs while playing left field.

He hit his first home run on June 21, 1964, leading off a doubleheader nightcap at Shea Stadium. Frank Lary gave up the homer, but everyone remembers Jim Bunning’s perfect game earlier that day.

By 1966, Briggs had become a more regular player, putting up career-best numbers with a .282 batting average and .490 slugging percentage. He kept working as a fourth outfielder and part-time first baseman through 1970.

A couple of games stand out: he hit multiple home runs on July 14, 1968, and July 11, 1969. The Phillies traded him to Milwaukee on April 22, 1971, for Pete Koegel and Ray Peters.

Milwaukee Brewers Tenure

Getting traded to Milwaukee really changed things for Briggs. As a left fielder and sometimes first baseman, he finally got to play every day and made the most of it.

In 1971, Briggs smacked 21 home runs with a .378 on-base percentage and .467 slugging average. He split time between first base and left field, showing off his flexibility.

His best season came in 1973. Briggs scored 78 runs, walked 87 times, and stole 15 bases. He led the American League in range factor for left fielders and even picked up some MVP votes.

August 4, 1973, was a career highlight. Briggs started in left and batted leadoff against the Indians, picking up six hits in a nine-inning game. Only 67 players since 1901 have done that.

In 1974, he drove in a career-high 73 runs and had 55 extra-base hits, which ranked fifth in the league. That May, he slugged .614, hit 9 homers, and strung together a 16-game hitting streak.

Minnesota Twins Final Season

On June 14, 1975, the Brewers traded Briggs to the Twins for outfielder Bobby Darwin. At the time, Briggs was batting .297, even though he’d missed about a month with an injury.

His last season wasn’t long, but he held his own. His batting average dipped to .246, but he still managed a career-high .388 on-base percentage, proving he could get on base.

Briggs made his final major league appearance on September 28, 1975, in the Twins’ season finale against the White Sox. He went 1-for-3 with a run scored, doubling in the seventh for his last at-bat.

The manager replaced him with a pinch-hitter in the eighth. Briggs earned $69,000 that year, the most he ever made in a season.

In February 1976, he asked for his release from the Twins so he could try his luck in Japanese baseball. That officially ended his 12-year big league career.

Performance and Key Statistics

John Briggs put together a solid 12-year run, hitting .253 with 139 home runs and 507 RBIs in 1,366 games. His best years statistically came with Milwaukee, where he posted an OPS+ of 141 in both 1971 and 1972.

Batting Average and On-Base Metrics

Briggs finished his career with a .253 batting average. His on-base percentage of .355 stood out, showing he could draw a walk.

His best batting average came in 1975 with Milwaukee, hitting .297 in limited action. He also hit .282 in 1966 with Philadelphia.

During his Phillies years, Briggs struggled with consistency at the plate. From 1964 to 1970, his batting average bounced between .232 and .282.

After joining Milwaukee in 1971, his on-base skills really improved. He drew 663 walks in his career, helping him to that .355 OBP.

Home Runs and RBI

Briggs belted 139 home runs and drove in 507 runs over his big-league career. His power numbers peaked during his Milwaukee years from 1971 to 1975.

His top home run season came in 1971 when he hit 21, splitting time between Philadelphia and Milwaukee. He matched that total in 1972 with the Brewers.

Briggs drove in a career-best 73 runs in 1974 with Milwaukee. In 1972, he drove in 65, and in 1971, he had 62 RBIs.

He delivered double-digit home runs in seven different seasons, showing off his steady power.

Runs and Hits

Briggs scored 601 runs and picked up 1,041 hits across his career. He scored a career-high 78 runs in 1973.

In 1974, he collected 140 hits, his best single-season total. The 1973 season saw him notch 120 hits while playing 142 games.

He stayed pretty durable during his Milwaukee stretch, playing 154 games in 1974 and 142 in 1973.

Briggs’ hit totals climbed when he finally got regular playing time. After bouncing around in Philly, he became a full-timer with the Brewers.

OPS and WAR Analysis

Briggs finished with a career OPS of .771 and an OPS+ of 121, which means he hit better than the league average. His best OPS season was 1975 with Milwaukee, at .879.

His career WAR of 24.0 shows solid value over his 12 seasons. In 1971, he hit his peak with a 3.7 WAR.

Briggs topped an OPS+ of 140 in three seasons (1966, 1971, 1972), proving he could really perform above average.

His OPS numbers stayed strong during his Milwaukee years. He posted an OPS above .760 in four out of five seasons with the Brewers.

Defensive Positions and Playing Style

John Briggs brought some real versatility to the field, covering multiple outfield positions during his 12-year career and even jumping over to first base when needed. His left-handed throws and solid defensive fundamentals made him a dependable choice for managers on three different teams.

Primary Roles: Left Fielder and First Baseman

Briggs mainly played left field for the Phillies from 1964 to 1971. His natural lefty arm worked well in left, letting him fire strong throws to second and third.

He also filled in at center and right field when the team needed it. Being able to cover all three outfield spots made him a handy roster piece.

First base became a bigger part of his game, especially later on with the Brewers and Twins. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he had the reach you want at first.

Switching to first base helped him stick around as he got older. Teams liked having a guy who could move between the outfield and infield when lineups changed.

Defensive Metrics and Range Factor

Back in Briggs’ era, specific defensive stats just weren’t as detailed as what we’ve got now. People mostly relied on range factor and fielding percentage in the 1960s and 1970s.

He played over 100 games every year from 1967 through 1975, which really says something about his defensive reliability. Managers clearly trusted him, keeping him in the lineup at different positions.

Briggs threw left-handed, which gave him some strategic advantages in certain defensive alignments. His arm strength worked fine for the outfield, though, honestly, it wasn’t anything special by big league standards.

He handled first base well, and that flexibility boosted his defensive value. Because of his versatility, he stuck around on three different teams during his career.

Significant Seasons and Career Milestones

John Briggs spent 12 seasons in the majors, and a few of those years really stood out. He showed off his power and reliability, especially in 1973 with Milwaukee when he even got some MVP votes. That six-hit game? That one definitely secured his spot in baseball history.

Notable Games and Career Highlights

Briggs pulled off some of his best performances in clutch situations and during big games. He got his first major league hit as a pinch-hitter against the San Francisco Giants in the 11th inning during his rookie year in 1964.

On August 4, 1973, Briggs hit the peak of his career with a six-hit game against the Cleveland Indians. He started as the leadoff hitter and racked up four singles plus two doubles in just nine innings. Only 67 big leaguers since 1901 have managed six or more hits in a nine-inning game, so that’s pretty remarkable.

Multiple home run games became a bit of a trademark for Briggs. He knocked out two home runs in a game seven different times. Some of his best included a two-homer, five-RBI game against the Red Sox on July 17, 1971, and a six-RBI performance off Nolan Ryan on July 14, 1972.

His May 1974 hot streak stands out as his most dominant stretch. He slugged .614, hit 9 home runs, and drove in 20 runs, all while running up a 16-game hitting streak.

Awards and Recognitions

Briggs never took home a major individual award, but his 1973 season did earn him some MVP votes in the American League. That year, he set career highs in runs scored (78) and walks (87), and he even stole 15 bases.

He led the American League in range factor for left fielders in 1973, which means he made more plays per game than anyone else at his position. That stat highlights his knack for covering ground and getting to the ball.

Even though he played only 4½ years in Milwaukee, Briggs landed on the Brewers’ all-decade team for the 1970s as their left fielder. That says a lot about his impact during the team’s early days.

Back in high school, Briggs made All-State in three sports—baseball, football, and basketball—at Paterson’s Eastside High School. Later, they inducted him into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame.

1975: Final Season and Retirement

Briggs started his final season with some promise, but it ended up being his last in the majors. The Minnesota Twins picked him up from Milwaukee on June 14, 1975, trading outfielder Bobby Darwin for him.

At the time, Briggs was batting .297 even though he’d missed almost a month due to injury. His season average slipped to .246 by the end, but he still posted a career-best .388 on-base percentage, showing his plate discipline never really faded.

His final game came on September 28, 1975, in Minnesota’s last game of the season against the Chicago White Sox. Briggs went 1-for-3, scored a run, and doubled in the seventh for his last major league at-bat. They lifted him for a pinch-hitter in the eighth.

He earned $69,000 in 1975, which was the most he ever made in a season. In February 1976, he asked the Twins to release him so he could pursue a contract in Japan, ending his big league career at just 31.

Legacy and Life After Baseball

John Briggs made a mark on three major league teams over 12 seasons, getting noticed for his steady performance and professionalism. After he retired, he moved into law enforcement and got deeply involved in community service back in Paterson, New Jersey.

Impact on the Teams He Played For

Briggs brought value to every team he played for. With the Philadelphia Phillies, he grew from a promising rookie to a dependable outfielder over seven seasons. He hit .251 with Philly and posted a solid .349 on-base percentage, which shows he knew how to get on base.

The Milwaukee Brewers got the best version of Briggs after trading for him in 1971. He became an everyday player and had his most productive years there. He hit 21 home runs in both 1971 and 1972, proving he was a steady power threat.

He made the Brewers’ all-decade team for the 1970s, even though he was only with them for 4½ seasons. That honor really reflects how much he meant to the club in their early American League days.

His short stint with the Minnesota Twins in 1975 closed out his career. He hit .246 that year, but his .388 on-base percentage stayed strong right through his last game on September 28, 1975.

Reputation Among Peers

Briggs earned a lot of respect around baseball for his work ethic and dedication. Manager Gene Mauch once pointed out how Briggs “goes out and works before a game” and plays “seven or eight innings of outfield in batting practice.”

His most unforgettable game came on August 4, 1973, when he racked up six hits in six at-bats against Cleveland. That put him in a pretty exclusive club—only 67 major leaguers since 1901 have done it in a nine-inning game.

He singled in the first, fourth, sixth, and ninth innings, and doubled in the second and eighth. Briggs led off that day and scored multiple runs in Milwaukee’s 9-4 win.

His 1973 season earned him MVP consideration in the American League, thanks to career highs in runs scored (78) and walks (87).

Post-Retirement Activities

After he retired from baseball, Briggs spent more than 25 years serving his community in law enforcement and corrections. He climbed the ranks and finished his career as a lieutenant in 2008.

People in his hometown of Paterson, New Jersey, noticed his dedication. In September 2008, the city renamed the Little League field where he first played baseball to “John Briggs Athletic Field” to honor him.

For Briggs, that moment felt like coming full circle. He’d grown up in Paterson’s working-class neighborhoods, so seeing his name on that field meant a lot.

At Paterson Eastside High School, Briggs holds a rare spot. Only he and Larry Doby have made it into the school’s Hall of Fame as baseball players.

That recognition highlights his talent in more than just baseball. Back in high school, he made All-State in baseball, football, and basketball—pretty impressive, right?