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

Steve Arlin carved out a spot in baseball history as the sport’s most famous dentist-turned-pitcher. He pitched in the Majors from 1969 to 1974, mostly for the struggling San Diego Padres, and wrapped up his final season with the Cleveland Indians.

What really set Arlin apart? He somehow balanced two demanding careers, spending baseball’s off-seasons in dental school while still competing at the highest level of pro sports.

Arlin retired from baseball after the 1974 season to focus on his dental practice. In a weird twist, he led the National League in losses twice, but that was mostly because he played for one of baseball’s worst teams.

His grandfather, Harold Arlin, made broadcasting history as the world’s first salaried baseball announcer. Back in 1921, Harold called the first radio broadcast of a Major League game. That family connection adds another layer to Steve’s story.

Steve Arlin’s story takes you from his days as a College World Series champ at Ohio State to the big leagues, through rough seasons with the Padres, and finally to a successful dental career. His journey offers a peek into the challenges players faced on expansion teams.

It also shows the value of having a backup plan, and how one guy managed to do well in two totally different fields during an era when that was basically unheard of in Major League Baseball.

Early Life and College Baseball Achievements

Steve Arlin’s path from a small Ohio town to baseball stardom started with a family legacy in broadcasting. He ended up leading Ohio State University to its only College World Series title in 1966.

His college days were packed with record-breaking performances that made him one of the most dominant pitchers in college baseball history.

Family Background and Upbringing

Stephen Ralph Arlin was born September 25, 1945, in Seattle, Washington, to Ralph Wampler and Darlene (Mahns) Arlin. His family had a unique connection to baseball broadcasting thanks to his grandfather, Harold Wampler Arlin.

Harold Arlin became the first salaried baseball announcer for KDKA in Pittsburgh. On August 5, 1921, he called the first-ever radio broadcast of a baseball game, featuring the Phillies and the Pirates at Forbes Field.

By the time Steve started elementary school, the Arlins had moved from the Pacific Northwest to Lima, Ohio. That put them about 170 miles west of Cleveland, where Steve’s dad worked as an electrical engineer.

Steve grew up in Lima and went to Shawnee High School. He starred in both basketball and baseball during those years.

During the summers, he played American Legion baseball, which gave him even more chances to develop his skills.

Shawnee High School and Early Baseball Talent

At Shawnee High School in Lima, Ohio, Steve Arlin stood out as an athlete in multiple sports. He excelled on both the basketball court and the baseball diamond, showing off the kind of athleticism that would help him later.

Scouts noticed his baseball talents during high school. His pitching ability and competitive spirit made him a hot prospect for college programs.

He kept sharpening his pitching mechanics and game sense during summer American Legion baseball. That extra playing time really paid off.

The skills he built at Shawnee earned him a baseball scholarship to Ohio State University. That chance turned out to be the launchpad for his legendary college career.

Ohio State University and College World Series Success

Steve Arlin took his baseball scholarship to Ohio State and quickly became one of the most dominant pitchers in college baseball. As a two-time All-American, he led the Buckeyes to back-to-back College World Series appearances in 1965 and 1966.

In his sophomore year, 1965, Arlin starred in the College World Series. He struck out 20 batters in a complete-game, 15-inning, 1-0 shutout against Washington State—a series record.

The Buckeyes lost to Arizona State in that year’s championship, but Arlin made the all-tournament team. He racked up 31 strikeouts in College World Series play that year.

In 1966, Arlin led Ohio State to its first and only College World Series championship. He pitched in five of the team’s six games and twice beat the top-ranked University of Southern California.

His championship performance was something else: 28 strikeouts in 20⅔ innings, giving up just two runs and five hits. That earned him Most Outstanding Player honors for the tournament.

Awards and Honors at Ohio State

Steve Arlin’s college achievements brought him a pile of awards and recognition that lasted decades after he left campus. In 1965, he led the NCAA with 165 strikeouts in 141 innings and tied for the lead in wins with 13.

His incredible 1965 season earned him the National College Pitcher of the Year award. Over two varsity seasons, he set Ohio State records for victories (24-3) and strikeouts (294), though others have since broken those marks.

The recognition kept coming:

• Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame (1976)
• College Baseball Hall of Fame (2008)
• Omaha College World Series Hall of Fame (2014)

In 2004, Arlin became the first Ohio State baseball player to have his number 22 retired by the university. His College World Series ERA of 0.96 over 47 innings in 1965-1966 still stood as the all-time record as of 2019.

Transition to Professional Baseball

Steve Arlin’s leap from college star to pro baseball began when the Philadelphia Phillies drafted him in 1966. His career path was anything but typical—he juggled dental school with minor league ball before landing with the San Diego Padres in the expansion draft.

MLB Draft and Signing with Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies picked Steve Arlin with the 13th overall pick in the secondary phase of the June 1966 amateur draft. The Detroit Tigers had drafted him in the 23rd round the year before, but he turned them down to return to Ohio State.

The Phillies gave Arlin a reported $105,000 signing bonus—at the time, the biggest in franchise history. Scout Tony Lucadello, who had watched Arlin since high school, signed him.

Arlin inked his contract on June 22, 1966, right at his parents’ house in Lima, Ohio. That huge bonus showed just how much the Phillies expected from the former Buckeye ace who’d just led his team to a College World Series title.

Minor League Development

Arlin’s time in the Phillies’ farm system wasn’t easy, mostly because he kept up with dental school at Ohio State. He started pro ball with the Bakersfield Bears in Class-A in 1966 and struck out 116 batters in 110 innings.

His dual commitments caused some friction with the Phillies. Arlin missed most of spring training each year to attend dental school, only reporting to minor league ball in mid-June. Coaches in the organization questioned his commitment to baseball.

Arlin’s minor league stats showed the struggle:

• 1967-1968: 5-15 record in 161 innings
• 100 walks during that stretch
• Moved from Reading (Double-A) to Triple-A San Diego

The Phillies tried to change Arlin’s pitching mechanics, especially under pitching coach Al Widmar. “They turned my whole motion around,” Arlin said. “They made me turn my butt toward the plate more. When I finished, I’d fall off to first base instead of always finishing in good defensive position.”

Expansion Draft and Move to San Diego Padres

The Phillies finally gave up on Arlin on October 14, 1968, when the new San Diego Padres picked him with the 57th pick in the expansion draft. That move gave Arlin a fresh start with a team willing to work with his situation.

Padres GM Eddie Leishman stayed optimistic about Arlin, saying, “There’s no telling how good Arlin might be if he gets a full spring training behind him.” But the Padres faced the same dental school challenges as Philly.

Manager Preston Gomez wasn’t sure what to make of the 23-year-old pitcher at first. When Arlin finally showed up in mid-June 1969, Gomez joked, “Arlin doesn’t look like a ball player. I thought he was some kid Eddie had sent down to pitch batting practice.”

San Diego gave Arlin a shot to prove himself at the big league level with an expansion team that needed arms.

Major League Career Highlights

Steve Arlin pitched in the Majors from 1969-1974, delivering some impressive performances even though his teams struggled. He spent most of his career with the Padres, showing flashes of dominance, and finished up with the Cleveland Indians.

San Diego Padres Tenure and Notable Games

Arlin made his MLB debut on June 17, 1969, against the Dodgers. It was a rough start—he allowed runs to the first three batters—but he soon became a key part of the Padres’ rotation.

He broke through on September 23, 1970, tossing a seven-hit shutout against the Braves for his first big league win. Pitching coach Roger Craig saw the potential, saying, “He has a major-league arm. There’s no reason why he can’t be a big winner.”

Arlin’s best stretch came in 1972. He put together a 19⅓-scoreless-inning streak early that season. Over eight starts from late June through August, he allowed just 33 hits in 71 innings and threw three two-hitters and one one-hitter.

One of his most memorable games was July 25, 1971—a three-hit shutout against the Pirates. With two outs in the ninth, Arlin made Willie Stargell foul off seven straight pitches before walking him, then struck out Roberto Clemente to lock down the win.

Pitching Performance and Statistical Overview

Arlin’s stats tell the story of both his talent and the tough teams he pitched for. He finished with a 34-67 record, 463 strikeouts, and a 4.33 ERA over 788 innings.

His best years were 1971 and 1972, when he ate up innings for the Padres. In 1971, he pitched 227⅔ innings with a 3.48 ERA and led the team with four shutouts. Even so, he led the National League with 19 losses—13 of those came when the Padres scored two runs or less.

In 1972, Arlin posted a 2.80 ERA at mid-season and had an 8-11 record. His performance was good enough for All-Star consideration, but he didn’t make the team. Eleven of his 34 career wins were shutouts, showing how dominant he could be on a good day.

Arlin struggled with walks throughout his career, a problem that started in the minors. Still, his fastball and curveball combo produced plenty of strikeouts when he was on.

Trade to Cleveland Indians and Final MLB Season

In June 1974, the Padres traded Arlin to the Cleveland Indians for two players to be named later. The Indians later sent pitchers Brent Strom and Terry Ley to San Diego to complete the deal.

Arlin’s time with Cleveland was the last chapter of his pro baseball career. He played in 27 games during the 1974 season, splitting time between the Padres and Indians.

The trade gave Arlin a new start after years with the struggling Padres. Unfortunately, shoulder problems that started in 1973 kept bothering him.

After the 1974 season, Arlin decided to retire from baseball. He’d already finished dental school in 1970, so he was ready to focus on his dental practice. His rare status as both a major league pitcher and a practicing dentist made him a favorite with sports writers, who loved to mention his dual career.

Statistical Legacy and Career Analysis

Steve Arlin’s six years in the Majors produced a mixed bag of stats—some promise, some struggles. He finished with a 34-67 win-loss record and a 4.33 ERA, a reflection of a pitcher who fought through tough circumstances and still managed to shine at times.

Year-by-Year MLB Statistics

Arlin started his career quietly in 1969 with the San Diego Padres, putting up a rough 9.28 ERA in limited innings. Things changed in 1971—he really broke out as a workhorse starter, tossing 227.2 innings, posting a 3.48 ERA, and even throwing four shutouts.

In 1972, Arlin hit his statistical high point. He pitched 250 innings, notched a 3.60 ERA, and struck out 159 batters. Even with all those innings, he managed a 1.356 WHIP and showed off his durability with 12 complete games.

The next year, 1973, things fell apart for Arlin. His ERA shot up to 5.10, and he gave up 26 home runs in 180 innings. The league’s offense was up that year, which probably didn’t help.

By 1974, Arlin was nearing the end. He split the season between San Diego and Cleveland, struggling to a 6.19 ERA and a 1.885 WHIP. With the Cleveland Indians, he only lasted 43.2 innings, posting a 6.60 ERA before he retired.

Pitching Metrics and Rankings

Looking at Arlin’s numbers, you see a pitcher who could throw a lot of innings but never quite found consistency. He racked up 463 career strikeouts, which came out to 5.3 per nine innings—pretty low for a starter in that era.

His 4.33 career ERA didn’t stack up well against other National League starters in the early ’70s. That 1.477 WHIP? It shows he struggled to keep runners off base. Walks were a problem too, with 373 free passes inflating his numbers.

Arlin’s WAR over six seasons ended up at just 0.4, which is honestly not great. His issues with earned runs and a lack of defensive help really dragged down his value. Still, he managed 11 career shutouts, so when he was on, he could really take over a game.

His best years—1971 and 1972—lined up with his heaviest workloads. San Diego leaned on him a lot during those early franchise years, and he gave them plenty of innings.

Team Context and Role

The San Diego Padres counted on Arlin to anchor their rotation from 1969 to 1974, right when they were still figuring things out as an expansion team. They needed young arms to eat innings, and Arlin stepped up.

He went from being a spot starter to a real workhorse. Over six seasons, he logged 745 innings pitched, which was a big chunk of the team’s total. The Padres’ weak offense didn’t do him any favors, and that hurt his win-loss record even when he pitched well.

When he joined the Cleveland Indians in 1974, his career was winding down. The switch to the American League was tough, and his control issues got worse. Cleveland mostly used him at the back of their rotation.

Both teams were rebuilding their pitching staffs during those years. Arlin’s ability to chew up innings gave San Diego’s young rotation some much-needed stability, even if his stats didn’t always shine.

Retirement, Dentistry Career, and Life After Baseball

After his big league days ended in 1974, Steve Arlin jumped into dentistry and actually built a successful practice. He always kept strong ties to baseball, and people recognized him with various honors. Honestly, his post-baseball life really showed the value of his dual career planning from his playing days.

Decision to Retire in 1974

Steve Arlin wrapped up his baseball career halfway through the 1974 season, after the San Diego Padres traded him to the Cleveland Indians. By then, he had already earned his dental degree from Ohio State University in 1970.

He finished his six-year Major League run with a 34-67 record, 463 strikeouts, and a 4.33 ERA over 788 innings. Eleven of those 34 wins were shutouts, so when he was healthy, he could really dominate.

Arlin’s decision to retire made sense—he’d prepared for life after baseball, unlike a lot of players who struggle with that transition. He had a unique contract that let him go to dental school during spring training, and that turned out to be a smart move.

Achievements as a Dentist

After baseball, Dr. Steve Arlin built a successful dental practice. He’d already gotten his dental degree from Ohio State in 1970, which made him one of the most educated guys in the game.

His dental practice thrived after he left the mound. Arlin approached dentistry with the same discipline he showed as a student-athlete. The focus that made him a standout pitcher at Ohio State definitely helped him in his new career.

He planned his transition carefully, so the move from baseball to dentistry wasn’t as rough as it could’ve been. Sportswriters liked to joke about his dual career, with headlines like “Dr. Arlin Pastes Pirates in the Teeth” popping up in the papers. That mix of skills made him a memorable figure in both fields.

Community Involvement and Legacy

Steve Arlin’s legacy goes way beyond his stats. In 2004, Ohio State University retired his number, making him the only baseball player in school history to get that honor. They wanted to recognize his role in the 1966 College World Series championship team.

He got another big honor in 2008 with induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. During college, he led Ohio State to back-to-back College World Series appearances and set school records for wins and strikeouts.

Arlin stayed close to the San Diego area after his playing days—he’d spent most of his MLB career there. He passed away in 2016 at age 70. People remember him as both a pro athlete and a healthcare provider. His life really shows how athletes can prepare for what’s next, even while competing at the top level.

Accolades, Honors, and Influence

Steve Arlin earned plenty of recognition during and after his playing days, including hall of fame inductions and having his college number retired. His impact on college baseball and his pro career left a mark on Ohio State University and the sport, and his family kept the baseball tradition going.

Hall of Fame Inductions and Number Retirement

Arlin got some major posthumous honors for his baseball achievements. He made it into the College Baseball Hall of Fame, which put him among the best college players ever.

Ohio State University retired his jersey number 22 in 2004, making him the first and only baseball player in school history with that distinction. That move celebrated his standout two-year run with the Buckeyes.

In 2008, he joined the College World Series Hall of Fame. His 0.96 ERA over 47 College World Series innings in 1965-1966 is still the all-time record for CWS play as of 2019.

The Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame brought Arlin in back in 1978, honoring his contributions to Buckeye baseball and his part in the school’s only Division I baseball championship.

Impact on College Baseball and MLB

Arlin’s time at Ohio State University put him among the program’s all-time great pitchers. He went 24-3 over two seasons, good for an .889 winning percentage.

His 1966 season was especially impressive—he went 11-1 and picked up College World Series MVP honors while leading Ohio State to its only Division I title.

During his college career, Arlin struck out 294 batters and earned All-American honors twice. He also picked up two All-Big Ten selections.

In Major League Baseball, Arlin pitched six seasons from 1969 to 1974 with the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians. He won 34 games, threw 11 shutouts, struck out 463 batters, and finished with a 4.33 ERA across 788 innings.

Family Legacy in Baseball

Arlin kept the family tradition alive in baseball broadcasting and athletics. Back in 1921, his grandfather, Harold Arlin, made baseball history when he called the first Major League Baseball game ever broadcast on radio.

That kind of family connection gives Steve Arlin’s playing career a different kind of weight, doesn’t it? The Arlin name stands out for big firsts in both baseball broadcasting and college sports.

After he retired from professional baseball in 1974, Arlin switched gears and went into dentistry. He’d already started dental school while he was still playing, which says a lot about how much he valued education and wanted something more than just sports.