Woody Woodward – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

William Frederick “Woody” Woodward left Major League Baseball at just 29, wrapping up a career that lasted nearly a decade in the big leagues. The shortstop and second baseman played his final season in 1971 with the Cincinnati Reds, ending a journey that started with the Milwaukee Braves in 1963.

Woodward retired from professional baseball after the 1971 season. He decided to leave the game while still young, since players back then didn’t make much money and he realized he could earn more outside of baseball.

Woodward’s career took him from the Florida State University diamond all the way to the World Series stage with Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine. He played for both the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds, where he anchored the middle infield with steady defense.

He never hit for a high average—just .236 for his career, and only one home run—but his teammates and coaches respected him for his reliability and the way he helped his clubs reach the postseason.

The story behind Woodward’s retirement says a lot about baseball’s economics in the early 1970s. Players faced tough choices back then, and Woody’s decision to step away from the game he loved marked the start of a new chapter that eventually brought him back to baseball in other roles.

From his early days at Florida State to his last season with the Reds, Woodward’s career gives us a unique look into an era when players often had to choose between their passion and financial security.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball Career

William Frederick “Woody” Woodward’s road to professional baseball started in Miami, Florida, where he was born on September 23, 1942.

He developed his skills through high school and college baseball at Florida State University, quickly becoming one of the most promising infielders of his generation.

Family Background in Miami, Florida

Woody was born as the only child of Will and Ingevorg Woodward in Miami. His father worked in the hotel and restaurant business and had also played semipro baseball.

The family didn’t stay in Miami for long after Woody’s birth. They moved to the Augusta, Georgia area when he was very young.

He spent his early childhood there, away from his birthplace. In 1956, when Woody turned 14, the Woodwards moved back to the Miami area.

That return to South Florida turned out to be important for his baseball development during high school. His father’s background in semipro baseball probably nudged Woody toward the sport early on.

The family’s steady income from the hotel and restaurant industry gave Woody a stable base to pursue athletics.

High School Achievements at Coral Gables

Woodward attended Coral Gables Senior High School and stood out as a two-sport athlete. He played both baseball and basketball for the Cavaliers.

His biggest high school achievement came in 1960 when he led the Cavaliers to the Class 2A state baseball championship. That title was the top prize in Florida high school baseball.

The state championship really showed off Woodward’s leadership and competitive drive. His play during that run caught the attention of college scouts all over the country.

His success at Coral Gables made him one of the top high school players in South Florida. The combination of skill and team success turned him into a highly recruited prospect.

College Baseball at Florida State University

Woodward picked Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he played for coach Danny Litwhiler. Litwhiler, a former major league outfielder, became a major influence on Woody’s career.

Their connection actually started before Woody enrolled at FSU. He had gone to a clinic at the university led by Litwhiler, which sparked his interest in both playing and eventually coaching baseball.

During his sophomore season, Woodward led the team with a .365 average and set a school record for assists by a shortstop. The Seminoles finished third in the College World Series that year, putting the program on the national map.

His junior year was even better. Woodward raised his average to .380 and added 7 home runs and 35 RBIs. He led the team in triples, home runs, RBIs, and walks.

Notable Amateur Honors

Woodward’s college performance earned him third-team All-American honors as a junior. That put him among the nation’s best college players.

He made the College World Series all-tournament team, showing up big on the sport’s biggest amateur stage. Florida State upset Western Michigan in the first round, then lost to Arizona State and eventual champ Southern California.

During the summer between college seasons, Woodward played for the Pierre Cowboys in the semipro Basin League in South Dakota. The team won the pennant, and he was unanimously picked as the league’s all-star shortstop.

His $60,000 signing bonus with the Milwaukee Braves after his junior year set a record for a Miami-area prospect at the time. That bonus capped his amateur career and underlined his pro potential.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Years

Woody Woodward went from college standout to pro in 1963, when scout Zack Taylor signed him to a $60,000 bonus contract with the Milwaukee Braves.

His major league debut came just a few months later, starting off a nine-year MLB career that would take him through both Milwaukee and Atlanta.

Signing and Minor League Progression

The Milwaukee Braves signed Woodward after his junior year at Florida State in 1963. That $60,000 bonus was the highest ever paid to a Miami-area prospect at the time.

Woodward started his pro career at Triple-A Denver, playing 89 games and hitting .247 with 7 home runs. His best game came on June 27, when the parent club Milwaukee Braves visited Mile High Stadium.

Against his future teammates, Woodward picked up four hits—including a homer—and drove in five runs. The Denver Bears won 16-1, and Woody’s performance definitely caught Braves management’s eye.

He earned a late-season call-up to the majors after that strong Triple-A showing. The promotion came after less than a full season in the minors, which showed just how much the organization believed in him.

MLB Debut with Milwaukee Braves

Woodward made his MLB debut on September 9, 1963, entering as a defensive replacement with the Milwaukee Braves up 9-2 in the ninth inning. He was only 20 years old when he first took the field in the majors.

His first defensive play was pretty memorable. “The Reds had a man on second, and Gene Freese hit a shot up the middle,” Woodward remembered. “I raced over, got a glove on the ball, and made a backhand flip to (Frank) Bolling at second for the game-ending out.”

The 1964 season became Woodward’s first full year in the majors. He played in 77 games but struggled at the plate, hitting just .209 while backing up veteran infielders.

Frank Bolling played a big role in Woody’s development during that time. The veteran second baseman taught him to play multiple infield spots and roomed with him for three years from 1964-66.

Transition to Atlanta Braves

When the franchise moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, Woodward enjoyed his best season as an Atlanta Brave. He played in 144 games and set career highs with a .264 average, 120 hits, and 43 RBIs.

Manager Bobby Bragan praised Woodward’s value to the team’s defense. “There is no doubt about it. Woody is the backbone of our defense,” Bragan said. “When we win, we win with Woody in the lineup.”

Woodward’s versatility mattered as he split time between second base (69 starts) and shortstop (67 starts) that year. The Atlanta Braves finished 85-77, good for fifth in the National League.

His biggest offensive day came on June 10 with a triple and two singles in an 8-2 win over Pittsburgh. He also had his only four-hit game with the Braves on July 3, though pitcher Tony Cloninger’s two grand slams in a 17-3 win over San Francisco kind of stole the show.

Cincinnati Reds Tenure and Career Highlights

Woodward’s trade to Cincinnati in 1968 brought about his most productive years in pro baseball. He became a key defensive player for the Reds as they rose to prominence, eventually helping them reach the 1970 World Series.

Trade to Cincinnati Reds

On June 10, 1968, the Atlanta Braves traded Woodward to the Cincinnati Reds as part of a six-player deal. The trade sent Woodward, pitcher Tony Cloninger, and pitcher Clay Carroll to Cincinnati.

The Braves got infielder Bob Johnson and pitchers Ted Davidson and Milt Pappas in return. At the time, Woodward was struggling in Atlanta, hitting just .167 in 12 games under new manager Lum Harris.

The change of scenery helped Woodward’s career. He hit .244 for the rest of the 1968 season with Cincinnati, a clear improvement over his Atlanta numbers.

That offseason, the Reds showed their faith in Woodward by trading away All-Star shortstop Leo Cardenas. This move opened the door for Woody to compete for the starting shortstop job.

Role as Shortstop and Second Baseman

Woodward established himself as a steady defensive player at both shortstop and second base during his time in Cincinnati. His best season came in 1969, when he hit .261 and helped keep the Reds in the Western Division race.

He faced competition from young players like Darrel Chaney at first. But Woodward’s reliable glove and veteran presence earned him playing time when it counted most.

The 1970 season was pivotal for both Woodward and the Reds. Manager Sparky Anderson put him into the starting lineup on June 6 after Dave Concepcion struggled defensively.

Woodward played in 89 of the final 109 games, starting 71 times at shortstop. His batting average of .226 wasn’t flashy, but his defensive steadiness was crucial to the Big Red Machine‘s success.

A memorable moment came on July 10, 1970, when Woodward hit his only career home run. The two-run shot off Atlanta’s Ron Reed came in his 1,761st official at-bat, and his teammates teased him about finally showing some power.

1970 World Series Participation

Woodward played a big role in Cincinnati’s run to the 1970 World Series. He started all three games in the National League Championship Series against Pittsburgh as the Reds swept the Pirates.

His steady defense at shortstop brought stability while Concepcion sat on the bench. That experience really mattered in the high-pressure playoff atmosphere.

In the World Series against Baltimore, Woodward started the first two games at shortstop. He went hitless in four at-bats but did notch his only World Series hit as a pinch-hitter in Game Three.

His last Series appearance came as a defensive replacement in Game Four. The Reds lost to the Orioles in five games, but Woodward’s efforts helped the franchise reach its first World Series since 1961.

That 1970 season was the high point of Woodward’s career, mixing personal achievement with team success as part of the rising Big Red Machine.

Performance and Legacy as a Player

Woody Woodward didn’t put up big offensive numbers during his nine-year career, but people respected him for his defensive consistency and clutch moments. His lone career home run became a fun highlight, showing he was more of a contact hitter than a power guy.

Career Batting Average and Fielding

Woodward finished with a .236 batting average over 880 major league games from 1963 to 1971. He collected 517 hits, playing mostly at shortstop and second base.

His best offensive season came in 1966 with the Atlanta Braves, when he hit .264 with 120 hits and 43 RBIs in 144 games.

As a utility infielder, Woodward showed excellent defensive skills throughout his career. In 1967, he led all National League second basemen with a .982 fielding percentage.

He could handle multiple positions, starting games at shortstop, second base, third base, and even first base. Manager Bobby Bragan summed it up: “Woody is the backbone of our defense. You can’t really put your finger on it, but when we win, we win with Woody in the lineup.”

Notable Game Moments

Woodward made his major league debut on September 9, 1963, and his defensive skills stood out right away. He came in as a late-inning replacement and ended the game with a slick backhand flip to second base.

In the 1969 season with Cincinnati, Woodward put together his longest hitting streak—10 games in a row. That stretch helped keep the Reds in the race for the Western Division title.

His best single game happened on June 10, 1966, when he picked up a triple and two singles in an 8-2 win over Pittsburgh. Earlier that year, he managed a four-hit game on July 3 against San Francisco.

Woodward played in both the 1970 National League Championship Series and the World Series with Cincinnati. He started all three games in the NLCS sweep of Pittsburgh and picked up his only World Series hit as a pinch-hitter in Game Three.

One Career Home Run Achievement

Woodward hit his only major league home run on July 10, 1970, in the first game of a doubleheader against Atlanta. That two-run shot came off pitcher Ron Reed, finally happening in his 1,761st official at-bat.

His teammates couldn’t help but joke about the moment. Wayne Granger did the math and said, “We figured out that if he keeps hitting home runs at this pace, it will only take him 4,198 years to catch Babe Ruth.”

Even the other team noticed how rare it was. As Woodward rounded third, Braves third baseman Clete Boyer asked, “What’s going on here?” Woodward just shrugged and said, “I don’t know.”

That home run was Woodward’s only extra-base hit for power out of 2,423 career plate appearances. It really underscored how he focused on making contact and getting on base, not hitting for power.

Statistical Contributions

Woodward’s numbers show how much he contributed as a defensive specialist and situational player. He scored 208 runs and drove in 148 RBIs while keeping up steady production in limited offensive chances.

He got better with plate discipline over the years. In September 1969, he reached base safely in 20 straight games and hit .293 during that stretch.

Career Statistical Summary:

• Games Played: 880
• Hits: 517
• Batting Average: .236
• Home Runs: 1
• RBIs: 148
• Runs Scored: 208

Woodward brought more to the team than just stats. His veteran presence and reliable defense added value that box scores just can’t capture, especially during Cincinnati’s 1970 championship run.

Retirement and Unique Incidents in 1971

Woody Woodward finished his big league career in 1971 after nine seasons. But his last year ended with one of the strangest moments in baseball—a flour sack dropped from an airplane almost killed him at Dodger Stadium.

Final Season in MLB

Woodward wrapped up his playing days with the Cincinnati Reds in 1971 at just 28 years old. He played in 136 games that season as an infielder, picking up 66 hits in 273 at-bats for a .242 average.

His major league career ran from 1963 to 1971, and he played for only two teams. Woodward started with the Milwaukee Braves in 1963, then stuck with them as they moved to Atlanta.

The Reds traded for him in 1968, and he spent his last four years there. In total, he played 880 games, collected 517 hits, finished with a .236 career average, hit just one home run, and drove in 148 runs.

He never put up big offensive numbers, but he always delivered steady defense at shortstop and second base.

Flour Sack Incident at Dodger Stadium

On September 4, 1971, Woodward lived through the weirdest moment of his career during a game against the Dodgers. While he was playing shortstop, a 10-pound sack of flour dropped from an airplane and nearly hit him.

It happened in the fifth inning. Woodward moved closer to second to cover a possible pickoff, and suddenly a single-engine plane flew overhead and dropped the flour sack. It exploded right between second and third base—exactly where Woodward had been standing just moments before.

The impact kicked up a huge eight-foot cloud of white dust and sounded, according to pitcher Jim McGlothlin, “like a mortar shell going off.” Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills told Woodward, “If that hits you, it’s all over.”

As if that wasn’t enough, someone tossed a live rooster from the bleachers onto the field at the same time. The grounds crew needed about ten minutes to clear both the bird and the flour mess.

Afterward, Woodward tried to laugh it off: “There’s not too many things I haven’t seen now. I’ll tell you this, I don’t drink much beer but I’m gonna have me a couple tonight.”

Post-Playing Reflections

Woodward’s near miss at Dodger Stadium stuck with him long after he retired. People kept talking about it for years—teammates and managers included.

Cincinnati manager Sparky Anderson remembered the event in 1980, saying it was the strangest thing he’d ever seen in baseball. He recalled the huge white cloud and said if the sack had hit Woodward, “It would have driven him right down in the ground like a fencepost.”

That flour bombing really overshadowed the end of Woodward’s career and became one of the most inexplicable things to ever happen on a baseball field. No one ever figured out who the pilot was, and the FAA’s investigation went nowhere.

After retiring, Woodward moved into coaching and front office work, but that September 4, 1971 incident always remained a wild part of his baseball story.

Post-Playing Career and Honors

After calling it quits as a player in 1971, Woody Woodward jumped into coaching and front office roles that would shape his legacy in baseball. His path took him from the Florida State University baseball program to executive jobs with several MLB teams, and he eventually landed as general manager of the Seattle Mariners.

Coaching at Florida State University

He spent a short time as a TV commentator for the Reds before heading back to his alma mater in 1975. Woodward became head coach at Florida State University and stayed there through 1978.

During those four years, his teams saw real success. The Seminoles made three NCAA tournament appearances while he was in charge.

He also led the program to one College World Series bid. That run showed he could teach and mentor just as well as he could play. His MLB experience gave his players a unique perspective.

Executive Roles in MLB

Woodward started his front office career as an assistant GM with the Reds and Yankees. In October 1986, he got promoted to general manager of the Yankees, but only stayed through the 1987 season before resigning.

The Phillies hired him as GM in October 1987, although he lasted just until June 1988. Team president Bill Giles said “philosophical differences” led to Woodward’s dismissal after only six months.

He found his biggest executive success with the Seattle Mariners, starting in July 1988. Woodward served as general manager until he retired at the end of 1999. The Mariners made the playoffs in both 1995 and 1997 with him at the helm.

He drafted future stars like Alex Rodriguez, Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe, Bret Boone, and Raúl Ibañez. Maybe his most famous move came in 1989, when he traded for pitcher Randy Johnson from the Expos.

Hall of Fame Induction and Other Achievements

Woodward received recognition for his work at Florida State University. In 1981, he joined the Florida State University Athletic Hall of Fame. That honor celebrated both his playing days with the Seminoles and his coaching success.

The induction highlighted his impact on the baseball program. As a player, he led FSU at the plate in 1962 with a .365 average. Coming back as head coach only deepened his connection to the school.

That honor put him among the university’s most respected athletic figures.

Legacy in Baseball Management

Woodward left a mark on baseball that went way beyond his stats on the field. You could see his eye for talent in the smart draft picks and trades he made while he was with Seattle.

He brought in Randy Johnson, which, honestly, changed a lot for the franchise.

When he stepped down as general manager in 1999, he didn’t just walk away from the game. The Seattle Mariners brought him back in January 2009 as a part-time scout.

That gave him a way to keep sharing what he knew about spotting good players.

Woodward really pulled off the shift from player to executive. He had a knack for finding and developing talent, and that’s probably what people will remember most about him.