Dick Woodson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dick Woodson’s baseball career was short, but wow, it was packed with historic moments and some pretty memorable achievements. The 6-foot-5 righty pitched five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1974, spending time with both the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees.

He went from being accidentally discovered while playing college basketball to pitching in the big leagues. That’s not the kind of journey you hear about every day.

Woodson made baseball history in 1974 when he became the first player to go through the newly created arbitration process. He won his case against the Minnesota Twins, setting a precedent that changed player-management relations for decades. This moment came during his final—and honestly, his best—season. He finished 1974 with a 14-14 record, a 2.72 ERA, and started 36 games for Minnesota.

A rotator cuff injury cut his career short, but Woodson’s impact reached far beyond his numbers. His story, from an unlikely start to changing contract negotiations, really gives you a window into a pivotal era when baseball was shifting on and off the field.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Dick Woodson’s path to professional baseball started in Iowa, where he was born on March 30, 1945. He didn’t focus on baseball as a kid—basketball was his primary sport, which makes his later career in baseball kind of amazing.

Childhood and Background

Richard Lee Woodson was born in Oelwein, Iowa, a small town tucked away in the northeast part of the state. Growing up in rural Iowa in the 1940s and ‘50s, Woodson honed his athletic skills in a community where sports were a big deal.

His height stood out early. By adulthood, Woodson hit 6-foot-5 and weighed 207 pounds. That size made him a natural for basketball.

His family, especially his dad, encouraged his athletic pursuits from the start. Later, his father played a big part in helping Woodson shift from basketball to baseball when scouts began to take notice.

Education and Early Baseball Influence

Woodson headed to college on a basketball scholarship, and at first, he kept his focus on the court. But college ended up being the place where his life took a turn toward baseball.

During college, Woodson clashed with his basketball coach. That disagreement made him think about transferring, and that’s what opened the door to baseball.

The transition to baseball was pretty much accidental. He decided to try out for the college baseball team, even though he’d never played high school baseball. The coaches told him pitching was the only spot available.

His first time pitching happened only because the regular pitcher got sick during a doubleheader. Woodson was the only guy left on the bench, so the coaches threw him on the mound, even though he had zero experience.

High School and Amateur Achievements

In high school, Woodson played only basketball. He didn’t touch baseball, making his later MLB career even more unusual.

His basketball skills were good enough for a college scholarship. That athletic background gave him the drive and conditioning he’d need in pro baseball.

The big moment in his amateur career came during that college game where he had to pitch. Even though he lost 3-2 on three unearned runs, he struck out future big leaguer Jerry Davanon four times.

That performance grabbed the attention of Dick Wiencek, the Minnesota Twins’ western regional scout. Wiencek talked to Woodson and his dad after the game, asking if he’d ever thought about going pro in baseball. That conversation changed everything for Woodson, leading to his signing with the Twins as an amateur free agent before the 1965 season.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Dick Woodson pitched five seasons in Major League Baseball, mostly with the Minnesota Twins from 1969 to 1974. He debuted with promise, developed as a starter, and then had to retire early because of an arm injury.

MLB Debut and Initial Seasons

Woodson made his MLB debut on April 8, 1969, with the Minnesota Twins at age 24. Manager Billy Martin brought him up, even though team owner Calvin Griffith objected.

He showed flashes of potential early, appearing in both the 1969 and 1970 American League Championship Series against the Orioles. But consistent playing time was tough to come by.

After pitching for the Twins in 1969 and 1970, the team sent him back to the minors. He came back to Minnesota in 1972, this time under new manager Frank Quilici, who had more faith in him.

Woodson’s progress was slow but steady. His height and right-handed delivery helped him stand out when he finally got regular starts.

Notable Seasons and Team Roles

Woodson’s best season came in 1974. He started 36 games, pitched over 250 innings, and finished with a 14-14 record, 2.72 ERA, and 1.16 WHIP.

That year, he proved he could be a reliable starter. Quilici’s belief in him paid off.

Key 1974 Stats:

• Starts: 36
• Innings: 251+
• Record: 14-14
• ERA: 2.72

Before the 1974 season, Woodson became the first MLB player to go through the new arbitration process. He won his case against the Twins.

Calvin Griffith refused to pay the arbitration salary, so he traded Woodson to the Yankees in May 1974 instead of paying up.

Retirement After 1974 Season

A rotator cuff injury ended Woodson’s career during the 1974 season. Back then, injuries like that pretty much spelled the end.

His last game was July 8, 1974, for the Yankees against the Texas Rangers. He got the win in relief, which is a nice way to go out.

The injury stopped him just as he’d established himself as a legit starter. He finished with a five-year record of 34 wins and 32 losses in 137 games, all with the Twins and Yankees.

Minnesota Twins Years

Dick Woodson spent most of his major league career with the Minnesota Twins from 1969-1970 and 1972-1974. He became a steady starter, overcoming early challenges and making key contributions during playoff runs.

Joining the Twins Organization

Woodson’s road to the Twins started with that surprise discovery in college. He’d never pitched before, but ended up on the mound in a doubleheader when the regular pitcher got sick.

The Scouting Discovery
Twins scout Dick Wiencek came to watch shortstop Jerry Davanon that day. Even though Woodson lost 3-2 on unearned runs, he struck out Davanon four times, and that really caught Wiencek’s eye.

Wiencek talked to Woodson and his dad after the game. He offered a modest contract—$500 guaranteed and bonuses for reaching AA, AAA, and the majors. The bonuses depended on staying 90 days at each level.

Early Career Development
Woodson signed as an amateur free agent before the 1965 season. He worked his way through the Twins’ minor league system for four years. Eventually, manager Billy Martin brought him up in 1969, even though owner Calvin Griffith wasn’t thrilled.

Key Performances and Highlights

Woodson’s top season came in 1974. He became a workhorse, starting 36 games and pitching over 251 innings, with a 14-14 record, 2.72 ERA, and 1.16 WHIP.

Playoff Contributions
He pitched in the 1969 and 1970 American League Championship Series against the Orioles. Those playoff appearances were big moments for him.

Statistical Overview

In 1973, he threw four complete games and two shutouts while making $18,500. That season set him up as a reliable member of the rotation.

Relationship with Coaches and Teammates

Three different Twins managers shaped Woodson’s career, each in their own way.

Billy Martin’s Influence
Martin gave Woodson his big break. “Billy and I butted heads a lot, he was a fiery person and I was a little fiery myself,” Woodson said. Still, they respected each other, and any arguments ended with a beer after the game.

Frank Quilici’s Support
When Quilici took over from Bill Rigney in 1972, things got better for Woodson. Quilici trusted him, letting him pitch through tough spots instead of pulling him early. That support led to Woodson’s best seasons in 1972 and 1974.

Challenging Dynamics
Woodson didn’t get along with Bill Rigney. He openly said Rigney was his least favorite manager, and that those personality clashes hurt his playing time and performance.

Pitching Style and Performance Analysis

Dick Woodson’s MLB career, though brief, showed a pitcher who relied on control and durability more than raw speed. His 1974 stats highlight both his strengths and the challenges he faced at the top level.

Pitch Repertoire and Approach

Woodson pitched like a classic right-hander who valued location over power. At 6-5 and 205 pounds, he had the build teams wanted in a starter back then.

He focused on getting through innings efficiently instead of racking up strikeouts. In 1974, he pitched 55 innings across 13 games and kept his control in check.

He went right after hitters in the strike zone. Walking just 16 batters in 55 innings showed he had decent command, especially during his last season.

Statistical Highlights and Records

Woodson’s 1974 home and road stats tell an interesting story:

Home (5 games):

• ERA: 5.56
• Innings: 22.2
• Hits allowed: 27
• Home runs: 6

Road (8 games):

• ERA: 4.77
• Innings: 32.1
• Hits allowed: 37
• Home runs: 5

He pitched better on the road. Away from home, he gave up fewer runs per inning.

His last MLB appearance was July 8, 1974, against Texas. He went 5.2 innings, allowed 5 hits and 3 walks, and picked up the win.

Strengths and Challenges on the Mound

Woodson’s main strength was his ability to eat innings. In 1974, he averaged over 4 innings per outing in 13 appearances, which is valuable for any rotation.

His control was decent, but hitters found ways to make contact. He gave up 64 hits in 55 innings, so batters weren’t exactly fooled.

Home runs were a problem. He surrendered 11 in 55 innings in 1974, which made staying effective tough.

Still, his durability was a plus. Even when he struggled to prevent runs, Woodson kept taking the ball and pitching deep when his team needed him.

Transition, Trades, and Final Season

Dick Woodson’s career took a dramatic turn after he won baseball’s first salary arbitration case in February 1974. That victory really strained his relationship with the Minnesota Twins and led to trades that shaped his final months in professional baseball.

Trade to New York Yankees

The arbitration win created a lot of tension between Woodson and Twins owner Calvin Griffin. Just a month into the 1974 season, Minnesota sent the right-handed pitcher to the New York Yankees.

On May 4, 1974, the Yankees acquired Woodson in exchange for Mike Pazik and some cash.

At the time, Woodson had started four games for Minnesota. He had a 1-1 record and a 4.33 ERA in those early appearances.

The move looked like a fresh start for the 29-year-old pitcher, but honestly, it also signaled the beginning of the end for his major league career.

1974 Season Performance Breakdown

Woodson’s 1974 season really split in two after the trade. His performance dropped off sharply once he joined the Yankees.

Minnesota Twins (April-May 1974):

• Record: 1-1
• ERA: 4.33
• Starts: 4

New York Yankees (May-July 1974):

• ERA: 5.79
• Struggled with control and effectiveness
• Final MLB appearance: July 8, 1974

Pitching for the Yankees turned out to be rough for Woodson. He couldn’t match his earlier success with Minnesota. That higher ERA showed the trouble he had adjusting to the American League East.

Woodson played his last major league game on July 8, 1974, with the Yankees. The struggles just kept piling up during his short time in New York.

Circumstances Surrounding Retirement

After that tough 1974 season, Woodson faced another trade. The Yankees shipped him to the Atlanta Braves on April 10, 1975, for Dave Cheadle.

Atlanta assigned Woodson to their Triple-A affiliate instead of the big league roster.

He didn’t pitch well in the minors. Woodson finished with a 7.02 ERA in Triple-A during the 1974 season.

Those struggles at the highest minor league level basically ended his hopes for a comeback.

Woodson decided to retire when the 1974 season wrapped up. At just 29, he chose to step away from pro baseball instead of grinding it out in the minors.

He left the game five years after his major league debut in 1969. His final stats included a unique place in baseball history as the first player to win salary arbitration.

Life After Baseball and Legacy

After baseball, Dick Woodson moved into a career in sales and business development. He made a real impact in his community through volunteering and stayed connected to the sport that started it all for him.

Post-Retirement Activities

Woodson entered the sales world after leaving baseball, and he found a lot of success there. Turns out, sales fit his interests and skills pretty well.

For the last twelve years of his working life, Woodson teamed up with another businessman to start a specialized company. They focused on site planning using AUTOCAD software for companies with big facilities.

The business shifted when Woodson noticed more companies needed asset tracking technology. He worked with a programmer to develop his own bar-coding software and gave presentations to help businesses use these systems.

Key Business Ventures:

• Sales career spanning several decades
• AUTOCAD site planning services
• Custom bar-coding software development
• Asset tracking and monitoring solutions

Woodson retired at age 60 and settled in Menifee, California. He spent his time golfing and volunteering.

He got involved in a reading tutoring program at a local elementary school, working with kids who struggled to read.

Woodson’s approach to tutoring came from his own experience as a slow learner. He built up a personal library of over 1,000 books and tried to make reading fun for students.

Impact on Baseball Community

Woodson left a lasting mark on baseball by becoming the first player to use salary arbitration in 1974. Marvin Miller, the players’ union leader, picked Woodson for this historic case.

Players and team owners argued over fair pay, which led to the arbitration process. Woodson asked for $30,000, while the Twins offered $23,000. The arbitrator sided with Woodson.

That decision set a precedent and changed how baseball handled player salaries. The arbitration system became a key tool for players to get fair market value.

Historical Significance:

• First successful salary arbitration case (February 11, 1974)
• Set a precedent for future player negotiations
• Helped shift player-owner relationships
• Helped create the modern arbitration system

Calvin Griffith didn’t take the arbitration ruling well. Trading Woodson to the Yankees showed just how much some owners resisted the new system.

Recognition and Lasting Influence

Woodson’s arbitration victory really changed the direction of labor relations in professional baseball. He took a risk and challenged the old compensation system, opening the door for players down the line to get better pay.

After Woodson’s case, teams and players started using arbitration all the time. If a player has enough service time, they can now settle salary arguments through this process.

Sure, his career stats don’t put him in the same league as the game’s legends. Still, his influence off the field stuck around much longer.

In 1972, Woodson’s best season, he threw more than 250 innings for the Twins. That’s a workload you don’t see much anymore.

After baseball, Woodson found success in business and community service. He showed that former players can really make a difference after their sports careers end.

He spent time tutoring elementary students, which says a lot about his dedication to education and helping kids who struggle with learning.

The arbitration system he helped create still shapes how baseball handles negotiations today. Players who go through salary arbitration now are really standing on the foundation Woodson built back in 1974.