Richie Scheinblum – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Richard Alan Scheinblum built a solid eight-year career in Major League Baseball, playing for six different teams from 1965 to 1974. As a switch-hitting outfielder from New York, he made his mark during a time of big changes in baseball, carving out a spot as a steady player who could help on both offense and defense.

He bounced around the majors, starting with the Cleveland Indians, then moving to the Washington Senators, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, California Angels, and finally the St. Louis Cardinals.

Scheinblum hit his peak in 1972, batting .300 for the Kansas City Royals and earning his only All-Star nod. That year really stood out for him. He’d just come off a monster season in Triple-A, winning the American Association MVP in 1971 with a .388 average—a number that still sits as a Triple-A record.

But there’s more to Scheinblum’s story than just the majors. He grew up as a multi-sport athlete, played pro ball in Japan, and was one of the few Jewish players in the big leagues during his time. His stats, playing style, and the way he carried himself on and off the field show a guy who squeezed just about everything he could from his nearly decade-long career.

Early Life and Background

Richard Alan Scheinblum was born November 5, 1942, in New York City. He spent his early years in the Bronx before his family moved to New Jersey.

He showed athletic ability from a young age and played several sports. Scheinblum earned varsity recognition in high school, then went on to Long Island University for college.

Family and Childhood in New York

Scheinblum came into the world on November 5, 1942, in New York City. He lived in the Bronx with his father and stepmother during his early years.

Later, the family moved to Englewood, New Jersey, where Richie kept growing as an athlete. In the Bronx, he played soccer, baseball, and basketball, keeping himself busy with sports.

His switch-hitting skills started to develop in Little League in Englewood. He played for Janet Murk, a former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player who’d gone to Dwight Morrow High School.

Murk, also called Janet Jacobs, had been banned from the boys’ varsity team at her school. Her guidance helped Richie learn to bat from both sides.

High School and Multi-Sport Achievements

Richie attended Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood. He played soccer, baseball, and basketball all through his high school years.

He earned varsity letters in all three sports. That kind of athletic background helped shape his coordination and overall skills.

The school had some real talent back then. His classmates included actor Peter Coyote and songwriter Freddie Perrin.

He kept working on his switch-hitting during high school. Those years at Dwight Morrow set him up well for college sports.

College Years at Long Island University

Scheinblum went to Long Island University’s C.W. Post campus. He studied Business Administration and played as an outfielder for the baseball team.

He stood out in college baseball, batting .395 over his college career. That kind of hitting caught the eyes of pro scouts.

Sometimes, he left the baseball field during games to compete in track events nearby. It’s a good example of how competitive and versatile he was.

After graduating in 1964, the Cleveland Indians signed him. His switch-hitting and strong batting average made him a hot prospect.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Richie Scheinblum played nine seasons in Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1974, showing up for six different teams in both the American League and National League. He really hit his stride in 1972 with the Kansas City Royals, getting All-Star honors and batting .300.

MLB Debut with Cleveland Indians

Scheinblum debuted in the majors on September 1, 1965, with the Cleveland Indians at age 22. The Indians didn’t give him much playing time at first, and he had some rough stretches at the plate.

In 1967, he batted .318 in a short stint with Cleveland. But things didn’t go as well in the next couple of years—he hit just .218 in 1968 and .186 in 1969, getting only a handful of at-bats.

Cleveland kept him around through 1969, but he spent a lot of time in the minors trying to improve. His ability to switch-hit and play different outfield spots kept teams interested, even when he wasn’t hitting well.

Key Teams and Transitions

After Cleveland, Scheinblum played for the Washington Senators in 1971. Then he landed with the Kansas City Royals in 1972, finally getting regular playing time.

Kansas City was a good fit, even if it didn’t last long. The Cincinnati Reds traded for him in December 1972, sending Hal McRae and Wayne Simpson the other way.

He split his 1973 season between two teams. The Reds started him off slow, but after a trade to the California Angels, he picked things up, batting .328 with a .418 on-base percentage. He wrapped up his career with short stints for the Royals and St. Louis Cardinals in 1974.

Highlights and Career Milestones

Scheinblum’s big moment was the 1972 season with Kansas City. He made the American League All-Star team and hit .300, ranking sixth in the league, with a .383 on-base percentage.

That August, he was named the Royals’ Player of the Month. After the Munich massacre in September, Scheinblum wore a black armband to honor the Israeli athletes, saying he did it “not only because they were Jewish athletes, but because they were human beings.”

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .263
• Home Runs: 13
• RBIs: 127
• Games Played: 462

He played his last MLB game on September 21, 1974, with the St. Louis Cardinals. That wrapped up his nine-year major league run.

Standout 1972 Season and All-Star Recognition

Scheinblum’s best year came in 1972 with the Kansas City Royals. He batted .300 and made his only All-Star team. Most of that season, he led the American League in batting average before falling off a bit late.

Breakout Performance with Kansas City Royals

That 1972 season with Kansas City was his high point in professional baseball. As the starting right fielder, he set career highs in just about everything.

His .300 batting average made him the only Jewish switch-hitter to hit that mark in a full major league season. Considering his earlier fights for playing time, that’s pretty impressive.

Key 1972 Statistics:

• Batting Average: .300
• Runs: 60
• RBI: 66
• Hits: 135
• Doubles: 21
• Triples: 4
• Home Runs: 8
• On-base Percentage: .383

For years, he’d gotten sporadic chances with other teams. Finally playing every day, he showed what he could do. He often said that getting consistent at-bats was key to his hitting.

Selection to the American League All-Star Team

The All-Star selection in 1972 capped off Scheinblum’s career. He led both leagues in hitting at the break and finally got noticed among the American League’s best.

“I was leading both leagues in hitting at the All-Star break,” Scheinblum said. “Like anything in sports, when you’re doing well, your confidence is at a high. Sometimes, the ball looks like a balloon.”

He made the All-Star team at age 29. After years of bouncing around with the Indians and Senators, the nod meant a lot.

That hot start to 1972 couldn’t have come at a better time for All-Star voting. Managers and fans took notice when it mattered.

League Rankings and Competitive Context

Scheinblum’s .300 average ranked sixth in the American League in 1972. His .383 on-base percentage was fifth in the AL, showing he got on base a lot.

He led the league in batting most of the year, but cooled off in the last couple weeks. “The last two weeks, I dropped about 20 points,” he said. “That wasn’t fun.”

He played during a pretty competitive time for hitters in the American League. Doing what he did for a Royals team still finding its way made his year even more notable.

He batted third in the lineup, with John Mayberry behind him and Lou Piniella hitting fifth. “I do know the secret to hitting: It’s who’s hitting behind you,” Scheinblum quipped later.

Career Statistics and Playing Style

Richie Scheinblum finished his MLB run with a .263 average, 320 hits, and 13 home runs in 462 games over eight seasons. His switch-hitting and ability to play all over the outfield made him a handy utility player for six teams.

Batting Achievements and Key Metrics

Scheinblum’s numbers show a guy who knew how to get on base, even if he wasn’t a power hitter. Over eight seasons, he posted a 1.5 WAR, which isn’t eye-popping but shows he contributed.

His best year was 1972 with Kansas City: .300 average, 135 hits, 66 RBIs, and an All-Star spot. That was his offensive peak.

Career totals:

• 320 hits in 1,397 plate appearances
• 127 RBIs and 131 runs scored
• .343 on-base percentage—not bad at all

He never really hit for power—just 13 home runs in eight years, so less than two per season. His .352 slugging percentage shows he didn’t get a ton of extra-base hits.

Fielding and Positional Versatility

Scheinblum played all three outfield spots during his career. He moved between right, center, and left field for different teams.

He got regular time at each position, and that flexibility helped him stick around as a bench guy or spot starter.

Later in his career, teams also used him as a designated hitter and pinch hitter. That versatility kept him in the league a bit longer.

Baseball-Reference lists him mostly as an outfielder, but he also pinch ran sometimes. At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, he had the build for outfield work.

Strengths as a Switch Hitter

Scheinblum hit from both sides of the plate throughout his pro career. That gave his teams options against all kinds of pitchers.

His splits show he could make contact righty or lefty. That skill helped him stay on rosters for years.

Switch-hitters weren’t all that common in the 1960s and 1970s. It made him stand out from other outfielders fighting for playing time.

He once joked about Cleveland: “The only good thing about playing in Cleveland is you don’t have to make road trips there.” That’s classic Richie.

International Experience and Later Playing Years

Scheinblum’s baseball journey didn’t stop with MLB. He played in Japan’s pro leagues and had winter ball stints, showing he was willing to chase opportunities wherever he could find them.

Tenure with Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan

Scheinblum joined the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan’s professional baseball system. This move kicked off a whole new chapter in his career as he adjusted to a different style of play and a culture that probably felt worlds apart from what he knew.

He had to tweak both his playing style and his daily routine to fit into Japanese baseball. Scheinblum took the challenge head-on, eager to keep his professional career alive in a league that’s famous for its discipline.

During his time with Hiroshima, he proved he could still perform at a high level, even in international competition. The experience gave him a peek into different baseball philosophies and training methods—definitely not something every player gets.

Scheinblum made a pretty memorable call when he picked his uniform number: 55. He asked for it specifically because, in Japanese, the pronunciation sounded like “Go Jew Go,” which was a clever nod to his Jewish heritage and gave his time abroad a personal touch.

Minor League and Offseason Play

Throughout his career, Scheinblum played in winter ball leagues. He spent offseasons in places like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.

Winter ball meant more playing time and a little extra money for guys trying to make the most of the offseason. Most players in those leagues picked up extra experience while padding their bank accounts a bit.

In 1967, after a strong AAA season, Scheinblum headed to Nicaragua for winter ball. That stint turned out to be challenging and eventful, to say the least.

The winter leagues gave players a place to work on specific skills and stay sharp during the months when MLB action paused.

Transition Toward Retirement in 1974

By 1974, Scheinblum found himself in the pinch-hitter role for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals brought him in late that season, hoping he could help them chase a division title.

His switch-hitting made him useful in certain game situations. Teams always seemed to appreciate experienced, versatile players like Scheinblum who could come through with clutch hits.

The 1974 season turned out to be his last in the majors. That final run with the Cardinals capped off a decade at the top level of professional baseball.

Scheinblum played for six different MLB teams by the time he finished. His journey from young prospect to seasoned veteran really showed the ups and downs of pro baseball in the ’60s and ’70s.

Legacy, Personal Life, and Impact

Richie Scheinblum’s legacy goes way beyond his stats. He became an important figure among Jewish baseball players and earned respect in his community. After retiring, he stayed close with fellow Jewish athletes and kept his ties to baseball alive through different tributes and remembrances.

Recognition Among Jewish Baseball Players

Scheinblum carved out a special spot among Jewish ballplayers of his time, building real friendships with guys who shared his background. Back then, only five Jewish players were in Major League Baseball, which made their bond unique.

Key Jewish Baseball Contemporaries:

• Art Shamsky
• Mike Epstein
• Steve Stone
• Ron Blomberg
• Ken Holtzman

He stayed close with several of these players over the years. He and Mike Epstein even roomed together on two teams, and he kept in touch with Ron Blomberg—they’d call each other every other month, even decades after hanging up their cleats.

His pride in his heritage showed both on and off the field. In 1972, after the Munich Olympics tragedy, Scheinblum wore a black armband during games. He said he wanted to be “singled out as someone who really cared” about what happened.

Post-Retirement Life and Community Work

After baseball, Scheinblum settled near Tampa, Florida, and worked as a salesman for a promotional products company. The way he shifted from baseball to business really showed his adaptability and work ethic.

He stayed involved with the game, showing up at alumni events and old-timers games. These gatherings gave him a chance to reconnect with former teammates and swap stories from the old days.

Family stayed at the center of his life after retirement. In 1976 or 1977, he and his four siblings appeared on Family Feud, winning $5,000 for their family team.

He never lost his sense of humor about how baseball changed. Looking at modern salaries, he joked that if he made what today’s players do, he’d “ask for my money after every pitch.”

Influence on Future Generations

Scheinblum’s baseball journey inspired future players, especially those who faced their own challenges. His story hit home for kids who overcame physical limitations—he stood just 4’6″ at age 12 but still managed to hit eight of 21 home runs in the Englewood Little League.

He developed his switch-hitting under coach Janet Murk in Little League. Murk, who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, really shaped how Scheinblum hit from both sides.

Notable teammates who influenced or were influenced by Scheinblum:

• Lou Piniella (played together for five years)
• Johnny Bench
• Pete Rose
• Frank Robinson
• Nolan Ryan

He built positive relationships with teammates throughout his career, which says a lot about his character and professionalism.

Honors and Tributes After Passing

Richie Scheinblum passed away peacefully on May 10, 2021, after a long illness. Honestly, his death felt like the end of an era for Jewish baseball players from the 1960s and 1970s.

The Kansas City Royals, where Scheinblum really shined in 1972, shared their sadness at losing a member of their family. That season, he hit .300 and made the All-Star Game, which was definitely the high point of his major league career.

Baseball organizations and websites focused on the sport’s history posted obituaries and tributes to honor his impact on the game. They talked about his on-field achievements, but they also remembered him as a great teammate and a genuinely good person.

Back in 1971, he won the American Association MVP award by hitting .388 with 25 home runs for the Denver Bears. People still recognize this as one of the most impressive minor league seasons out there.

That achievement still shows up in minor league record books, even now.