Bobby Knoop – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bobby Knoop built a remarkable nine-year career in Major League Baseball as one of the era’s best defensive second basemen. He was born in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1938, but really made his mark as a cornerstone for the Los Angeles/California Angels during the 1960s.

Knoop finished his playing days with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals. He officially retired from professional baseball in 1972 after spending his last two seasons as a veteran presence with the Royals.

His retirement closed the chapter on a career defined by exceptional fielding, three Gold Glove Awards, and a reputation as one of the American League’s top defensive specialists at second base. Sure, his .236 career batting average might not jump off the page, but Knoop’s impact went way beyond offensive stats.

His defensive skills, leadership, and later work as a coach and instructor influenced baseball for over fifty years. So, 1972 just marked the end of his playing days, not his involvement in the sport.

Early Life and Amateur Beginnings

Robert Frank Knoop was born October 18, 1938. He sharpened his baseball skills at Montebello High School in California.

His journey from amateur to pro baseball began when the Milwaukee Braves spotted his talent and signed him in 1956.

Family Background and Birthplace

Robert Frank Knoop entered the world on October 18, 1938. He grew up in Southern California during the 1940s and 1950s.

The future Angels second baseman stood 6’1″ and threw right-handed. His full name? Robert Frank Knoop, though everyone just called him Bobby.

Knoop’s family encouraged his early love of baseball. Living in California meant he could play and practice all year round.

People pronounced his last name “kuh-NOP,” and sportswriters definitely made sure fans knew it.

Montebello High School Baseball Career

Bobby Knoop attended Montebello High School in California. The school gave him his baseball foundation during those teenage years.

At Montebello, Knoop played second base and flashed the defensive skills that would later make him a big-league standout.

He developed an acrobatic fielding style that earned him the nickname “Nureyev of second base.” Montebello’s program helped him refine his technique.

Scouts noticed Knoop’s performance at Montebello. His defensive instincts and abilities stood out among local players.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Milwaukee Braves signed Bobby Knoop in 1956 right after high school. That move kicked off his professional journey.

Knoop spent a few years in the minors, working on both his defense and his bat. He put in the time to round out his game.

The Los Angeles Angels picked up Knoop in the 1963 Rule 5 draft, bringing him to the team where he’d make his biggest mark.

Because of Rule 5 draft rules, the Angels had to keep Knoop on their big league roster for the entire 1964 season. That gave him a shot to prove himself and eventually become a key part of the Angels’ infield.

MLB Career Overview

Bobby Knoop made his name as one of baseball’s best defensive second basemen during his nine-year MLB career from 1964 to 1972. He played 1,153 games for three teams, picked up three Gold Glove awards, and made an All-Star team, all while dazzling fans with his glove work.

Debut with Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels grabbed Knoop in the Rule 5 draft in December 1963 from the Braves’ system. By rule, they had to keep him on the major league roster for the entire 1964 season.

Knoop debuted in the big leagues on April 13, 1964, with the Angels. He played every game as a rookie, quickly justifying the team’s faith in him.

Manager Bill Rigney said Knoop’s defense matched any second baseman in the American League, even Yankees star Bobby Richardson. The Angels already knew about Knoop’s talents since he’d played for their Triple-A affiliate, the Hawaii Islanders, in 1963.

His deep positioning and range at second base got their attention, and his strong arm and acrobatic style earned him the nickname “Nureyev” from sportswriters.

Key Years with California Angels

Knoop held down second base for the Angels for five and a half years, sticking with the team as they became the California Angels in 1965. He won the club’s MVP award four times, a record only Garret Anderson and Mike Trout have matched.

His best offensive year came in 1966, when he hit 17 home runs, drove in 72 runs, scored 54 times, and notched 11 triples. That year, he also led all American League second basemen in fielding percentage at .981 and won his first Gold Glove.

Knoop started at second base for the AL in the 1966 All-Star Game. He teamed up with shortstop Jim Fregosi, his roommate and closest friend, to form a stellar defensive duo.

In 1967, both Knoop and Fregosi won Gold Gloves. Knoop picked up three straight Gold Gloves from 1966 to 1968, cementing his spot as the league’s premier defensive second baseman.

Trade to Chicago White Sox

The California Angels traded Knoop to the Chicago White Sox in mid-1969 for Sandy Alomar Sr. and Bob Priddy. That deal ended his most successful run in the majors.

Knoop played parts of two seasons with the White Sox from 1969 to 1970. His offensive numbers stayed about the same, and he kept focusing on his defense.

Despite changing teams, Knoop kept his reputation as one of the league’s top defensive second basemen. The trade was a big shift for him after spending his whole big league career with the Angels, but he brought the same defensive energy to Chicago.

Final Seasons with Kansas City Royals

The White Sox traded Knoop to the Kansas City Royals in March 1971 for cash and a player to be named later. He reunited with Paul Schaal, a former Angels teammate, who played third base for the Royals.

Knoop played his last two seasons with the Royals from 1971 to 1972, mostly backing up regular second baseman Cookie Rojas. His playing time dropped off as he took on more of a reserve role.

He made his final MLB appearance on September 20, 1972. The Royals released him on October 5, 1972, closing out his nine-year playing career.

Knoop finished with a .236 average, 56 home runs, and 331 RBIs in 1,153 games. Still, his defensive legacy stands out as his biggest mark on the sport.

Defensive Excellence and Fielding Legacy

Bobby Knoop made his name as one of the 1960s’ best defensive second basemen thanks to his range, acrobatics, and three straight Gold Gloves. His partnership with shortstop Jim Fregosi gave the Angels one of the league’s best double play combos in their early years.

Distinctive Fielding Skills

Knoop’s defensive prowess really centered on his range and acrobatic moves. At 6’1″, he had the size and reach to cover a lot of ground at second base.

He focused on quick reflexes and smooth transitions. Knoop had a knack for making tough plays look routine, especially on balls up the middle or near the first base line.

Key Defensive Strengths:

• Great range at second base
• Quick pivots on double plays
• Strong, accurate throwing arm
• Steady hands on grounders

The Angels saw Knoop’s defensive value right away. He played all 162 games as a rookie in 1964, instantly becoming a defensive anchor for the young team.

Knoop ranks second all-time among Angels second basemen in putouts and double plays, even though he played fewer innings than some. That stat just shows how consistent he was on defense during his six years with the club.

Gold Glove Award Achievements

Knoop picked up three straight Gold Glove Awards from 1966 to 1968, earning recognition as the American League’s top defensive second baseman. Those years marked the peak of his defensive excellence.

He got his first Gold Glove in 1966, just his third year in the majors. That award showed how quickly he’d developed into an elite fielder.

His 1967 and 1968 Gold Gloves confirmed his reputation as a top defender. Winning three in a row put him among the best second basemen of his generation.

Gold Glove awards meant a lot back then, especially with so many good American League second basemen in the 1960s. Knoop’s wins came during a time when teams really valued defense.

Double Play Partnership with Jim Fregosi

The Knoop-Fregosi double play duo was one of the league’s best from 1964 through 1969. Their partnership spanned Knoop’s entire Angels career.

Fregosi played shortstop and meshed perfectly with Knoop’s defensive style. They developed a chemistry that let them turn double plays with impressive timing and precision.

Partnership Highlights:

• Six seasons together (1964-1969)
• Often called the best double play combo in the league at their peak
• Pulled off some spectacular defensive plays
• Provided stability for the Angels’ pitching staff

Their run ended in May 1969 when the Angels traded Knoop to the White Sox for Sandy Alomar. That trade broke up what many saw as the Angels’ best middle infield pairing.

The Knoop-Fregosi era set the tone for the Angels franchise. Their defense helped define the team’s early identity and gave the club a reliable core during its early years.

Offensive Performance and Statistics

Bobby Knoop’s nine-year MLB career from 1964-1972 reflected the offensive limits that many defensive specialists faced back then. His career batting average was .236, with 56 home runs and 331 RBIs in 1,153 games—not huge numbers, but enough to contribute as a middle infielder.

Batting Averages and Key Stats

Knoop’s career batting average of .236 was below the league norm for his era. His best year at the plate came in 1965 when he hit .269 for the Angels.

That season, he also posted his highest on-base percentage, .313. Knoop struggled with strikeouts, racking up 833 while drawing 305 walks over his career.

His plate discipline got a bit better later on, but he never turned into a consistent contact hitter. Knoop collected 856 hits in his career, along with 129 doubles and 29 triples.

His 11 triples in 1966 were a career high. He grounded into 91 double plays during his career.

Home Runs and Power Numbers

Home runs weren’t a huge part of Knoop’s game, but he did hit 56 in his career. His best power season was 1966, when he hit 17 homers for the Angels.

That year, he also had his highest slugging percentage at .386 and drove in a career-best 72 runs. It was easily his most productive offensive season.

After 1968, his power dropped off. In his last four seasons, he hit just 13 home runs total.

Run Production: RBI and Runs Scored

Knoop drove in 331 runs during his career. His 1966 season again stands out, thanks to 72 RBIs and his home run surge.

He scored 337 runs overall, peaking at 54 in 1966. Even with a low batting average, he managed to get on base enough to score a decent number of runs.

His rOBA (offensive winning percentage) averaged .294, which was below average. Knoop’s OPS+ of 83 shows he performed 17% below league average offensively during his playing days.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

Bobby Knoop grabbed three Gold Glove Awards over his career. The Angels named him their MVP four times during the team’s early days.

People really noticed his defensive excellence at second base. He stood out as one of the best fielders of his era.

All-Star Selections

Bobby Knoop picked up All-Star recognition during his run with the California Angels. His exceptional defense at second earned him that spot.

That All-Star nod really cemented his reputation as one of the American League’s top defensive second basemen. He teamed up with shortstop Jim Fregosi, and a lot of folks considered them the best double-play combo in the league during the mid-1960s.

MVP Voting Results

Knoop took home the California Angels’ team MVP award four times in the franchise’s first decade. He earned those honors between 1964 and 1969, all while wearing an Angels uniform.

Those MVP awards showed just how much the team valued him, not just for his bat, but for his defense and leadership, too. He played a huge part in shaping the Angels during those early years.

He never really got much attention in league-wide MVP voting. Still, his steady performance helped the Angels become a competitive team right out of the gate.

Other Honors

Bobby Knoop won three Gold Glove Awards thanks to his defense at second base. He pulled this off in 1966, 1967, and 1968, making him the first Angels second baseman to grab the honor.

During those seasons, Knoop led American League second basemen in games played and double plays turned. He usually ranked among the top two in putouts, assists, and total chances.

His stats during those Gold Glove years were just plain impressive. Knoop’s range and steady hands made him a difference-maker at second base.

Those Gold Gloves really stand out as the highlight of his career. They pretty much solidified his place as one of the best defensive second basemen in Angels history.

Post-Retirement Contributions

After wrapping up his playing days in 1972, Bobby Knoop jumped into coaching and mentoring, spending decades shaping talent across several teams. Teams leaned on his infield expertise to sharpen their defensive fundamentals.

Coaching Career in MLB

Knoop kicked off his coaching career with the Chicago White Sox in 1977 and 1978. He brought his defensive know-how to a new crop of players right away.

He joined the Angels coaching staff from 1979 to 1996, spending nearly twenty years helping the team’s infielders. He worked with a ton of American League players, zeroing in on defensive positioning and the basics.

Later, he took his coaching chops to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2000. That gig gave him a look at different team cultures and let him keep shaping major league talent.

Mentorship and Infield Coaching

Knoop’s Gold Glove background made him a natural mentor for young infielders. He really understood double-play timing and defensive positioning, and players learned a lot from him.

In 2008, the Colorado Rockies brought him on as a professional scout. Then in 2009, he became a senior advisor for player development, where he sized up talent and helped drive big decisions.

He got back on the field in 2013 when the Los Angeles Angels hired him as an infield instructor. With decades of experience, he helped players fine-tune their defensive skills.

Legacy within the Angels Organization

Knoop’s bond with the Angels stretched over five decades, starting as a player in 1964 and running through his retirement in 2019. His loyalty to the franchise earned him a lot of respect.

He wore a lot of hats—minor league coach, major league coach, scout, and advisor—from 1979 to 1996. That flexibility showed he really understood the ins and outs of baseball operations.

The Angels kept him involved in player development right up until his later years. After 53 years in pro baseball, he retired at 80, making his tenure one of the longest in Angels history.

Personal Life and Legacy

Bobby Knoop’s influence on baseball didn’t stop when he hung up his cleats in 1972. He poured over fifty years into the game and became a respected figure in the Angels family.

Life after Baseball

Robert Frank Knoop kept baseball close even after retiring as a player. He rejoined the Angels in 1979 and worked in several roles for seventeen years.

Knoop served as a minor league coach, major league coach, scout, and advisor through 1996. He had a knack for developing young talent, and the team really valued that.

The former second baseman kept working in baseball until 2019. He finally retired at 80, closing out an incredible 53-year run in the sport.

Knoop’s passion for teaching and developing players never faded. He played a big part in shaping the Angels during their early days and long after.

Recognition in Baseball History

Bobby Knoop really stood out as one of the Angels’ first star players. He grabbed the club’s MVP award four times in the team’s first decade, which is honestly pretty impressive.

During his time with the Angels from 1964 to 1969, Knoop made an All-Star team. He kept showing up with solid performances, and that helped shape the franchise’s early vibe.

Knoop played 1,153 games over his nine-year MLB career. He suited up for three teams: the Los Angeles/California Angels, Chicago White Sox, and Kansas City Royals.

The Angels showed their appreciation by putting him in their Hall of Fame. His long-term commitment to the organization made him a favorite among fans and teammates.