Carroll Sembera – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Carroll Sembera might not be a big name in baseball history, but his story really captures what so many players experienced during baseball’s golden years. This right-handed reliever from Shiner, Texas, managed to play five seasons in Major League Baseball, pitching for the Houston Astros and Montreal Expos before he finally hung up his cleats in 1970.

Between 1965 and 1970, Sembera put together a 3-11 record with a 4.70 ERA and notched 94 strikeouts in 99 games. On opening day 1969, he grabbed the first save in Montreal Expos franchise history, which is a pretty cool piece of trivia.

He started out playing high school ball in Texas and made his professional debut at 24. Sembera’s journey from a small-town athlete to a big-league pitcher, and later a scout, gives a glimpse into how baseball worked in the 1960s and 1970s.

Early Life and Background

Carroll William Sembera was born July 26, 1941, in Shiner, Texas. He also passed away there in 2005.

He showed athletic talent in high school, which led to a college scholarship and eventually a shot at pro baseball.

Family and Hometown

Sembera grew up in Shiner, a small Texas town that stayed important to him throughout his life. He spent his early years surrounded by a close-knit community.

Shiner’s values shaped Sembera’s approach to baseball and life. That small-town grounding stuck with him even after he went pro.

He kept strong connections to his hometown and eventually moved back after his playing and scouting days were over.

Baseball stayed in the family too—Sembera became the grandfather of Tanner Sembera, so the game kept running through their lives.

Growing up in Shiner gave him a perspective that helped during his time in professional baseball.

High School Baseball Career

Sembera attended Shiner High School and made his first real splash on the baseball diamond there. College scouts noticed his pitching during those years.

He earned a scholarship thanks to his performance at Shiner High. The skills he picked up in high school set him up for the next level.

Sembera learned the basics of pitching and how to compete while he was still a teenager. Those lessons proved pretty useful as he moved up.

His high school gave him a platform to show off his natural talent. The coaching and competition in Shiner helped him get ready for college ball.

Trinity University Experience

After high school, Sembera accepted a scholarship to Trinity University. That move let him keep developing his baseball skills at the college level.

Trinity gave him both an education and a chance to train with better facilities. The college years helped him bridge the gap from high school to the pros.

He refined his pitching and learned more about the game at Trinity. The coaches there helped him grow into a player worth a look from the pros.

Facing tougher competition and getting better training prepared Sembera for pro baseball. That time at Trinity proved crucial.

Trinity’s baseball program helped mold him into the pitcher who would debut with the Houston Astros in 1965.

Major League Baseball Career

Carroll Sembera pitched in the majors for five seasons between 1965 and 1970. He ended up with a 3-11 record and a 4.70 ERA in 99 games, working mostly as a reliever and picking up six saves.

Houston Astros Years

Sembera broke into the big leagues with the Houston Astros on September 28, 1965, at 24. He only pitched in two games that first year, including one start, and posted a 3.68 ERA over 7.1 innings.

He got his first full taste of the majors in 1966. Sembera worked out of the bullpen in 24 games, earning his first win and save, and finished with a 3.00 ERA over 33 innings.

In 1967, he saw his busiest season, appearing in 45 games. He pitched 59.2 innings and finished 15 games, though his ERA jumped to 4.83. That was the year he got the most work in the majors.

During his time with Houston, Sembera put up a 3-9 record and a 4.14 ERA. He struck out 73 batters in 100 innings and picked up four saves.

Montreal Expos Tenure

The Montreal Expos picked Sembera in the Rule 5 draft from Houston on December 2, 1968. That move brought him to the Expos for their very first season.

He pitched in 23 games for Montreal in 1969, finishing with a 3.55 ERA over 33 innings. Sembera picked up two saves and finished 11 games, giving the Expos some stability out of the bullpen.

His final season in 1970 was rough. He pitched just five times, covering 6.2 innings, and his ERA ballooned to 18.90. The Expos traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bill Dillman on May 5, 1970, but that basically wrapped up his big-league days.

He finished up with Montreal going 0-2 and a 6.13 ERA in 28 games over two seasons.

Role as a Pitcher

Sembera spent nearly his whole career as a reliever, starting just once in 99 games. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed only 155 pounds, which earned him the nickname “Pencil.”

He focused on getting batters out in short relief spots. Sembera struck out 94 hitters and walked 73, which was pretty decent control for a reliever back then.

He finished 41 games in his five-year career and racked up six saves, though saves weren’t as big a deal in those days as they are now.

Significant Games and Milestones

Sembera made his MLB debut on September 28, 1965, though the opponent isn’t specified here. He picked up his first career win in 1966 with Houston.

He set his career high with 45 appearances in 1967, proving he could handle a heavy bullpen workload. That season’s 59.2 innings were his peak in the bigs.

His last MLB appearance came on April 26, 1970, with Montreal. After that rough final season, his big-league career ended at 28.

After retiring, Sembera stayed in the game as a scout for the Major League Scouting Bureau and the Seattle Mariners for eleven years.

Career Achievements and Records

Carroll Sembera struck out 94 batters over his five-year major league career, posting competitive ERAs with both the Astros and Expos. His biggest claim to fame? He notched the first save in Montreal Expos history back in 1969.

Strikeouts and Key Statistics

Sembera racked up 94 strikeouts in the majors from 1965 to 1970. He pitched out of the bullpen in 99 games over five seasons.

He stood 6 feet tall, weighed 155 pounds, and batted and threw right-handed.

Even in high school at Shiner, Sembera’s strikeout ability stood out—he once fanned 24 in a seven-inning game, which is just wild. That kind of performance helped him get a scholarship to Trinity University.

He made his major league debut with the Astros on September 28, 1965, at age 24. His final game came on April 26, 1970.

ERA and Performance Analysis

In 1966, Sembera put up a 3.00 ERA with the Astros, which was among the lowest on the team. That year showed he could be an effective reliever.

His best season statistically came in 1969 with the Expos. He posted a 3.55 ERA, while the team’s overall ERA was 4.33.

That means he outpitched the team average by almost a full run. Sembera’s steady relief work helped settle the Expos’ bullpen in their first year.

His ability to outperform the team average made him a reliable relief option. He stayed effective in multiple seasons, which isn’t always easy for relievers.

Historic First Save with Montreal Expos

Sembera’s biggest milestone came in 1969 when he recorded the first save in Montreal Expos franchise history. That was during the club’s inaugural season.

The save became a historic moment for the new franchise. The Expos were just starting to build their identity and record books.

Sembera’s first save is now forever part of the Expos’ story. That achievement links his name to the franchise’s early days.

He pulled off that milestone during what many would call his strongest season, with a 3.55 ERA to back up his value in the bullpen.

Retirement and Later Life

Carroll Sembera played his last major league game on April 26, 1970, wrapping up a five-season career from 1965 to 1970. After baseball, he shifted into scouting, spending eleven years looking for talent for major league teams.

Transition from Playing Career

Sembera’s career on the field ended during the 1970 season with the Expos. His last game was April 26, 1970, closing out a run that started with his debut on September 28, 1965.

The right-handed pitcher finished with 94 strikeouts in 99 games over five seasons. His best year was 1967, when he set career highs in:

• 45 games pitched
• 59.2 innings pitched
• 15 games finished

He earned a spot in baseball history by grabbing the first save in Montreal Expos franchise history in 1969.

That transition from player to retiree ended his on-field days with the Astros and Expos.

Scouting and Post-Baseball Contributions

After playing, Sembera stayed involved in baseball through scouting. He spent eleven years evaluating talent for big league organizations.

He worked with the Major League Scouting Bureau, which coordinates scouting for multiple teams to find amateur players.

Sembera also scouted for the Seattle Mariners. His experience as a former major league pitcher gave him a good eye for spotting future pros.

He used his baseball knowledge to help find the next generation of players. The role drew on everything he learned during his five seasons in the majors.

Sembera’s impact on baseball definitely went beyond just his playing days, thanks to his work in scouting and player development.

Legacy and Impact

Carroll Sembera made his mark on baseball with his contributions to two franchises during a pretty interesting era in MLB history. His years as a scout after retiring helped shape future players too.

Influence on Teams

Sembera really shaped the early days of both the Houston Astros and Montreal Expos. He joined the Astros when the team was still figuring out who they wanted to be in the National League.

His most significant team contribution happened with the Montreal Expos in 1969. Sembera notched the first save in franchise history during their very first season.

That milestone made him part of Expos history for good. You can’t really overstate how special that must’ve felt.

During his stint with Houston from 1965 to 1967, Sembera gave the team some steady relief pitching. In 1966, he put up a 3.00 ERA, which stood out as one of the lowest on the team.

He set career highs in 1967, pitching in 45 games and throwing 59.2 innings. The guy just kept showing up.

With Montreal, Sembera’s 3.55 ERA in 1969 looked pretty solid on a club with a 4.33 team ERA. His steady arm helped the expansion Expos build their pitching core.

Recognition and Remembrance in Baseball

Sembera made a lasting impact on baseball development after his playing days ended. From 1982 to 1993, he scouted for the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau for 11 years.

The Seattle Mariners brought him on as their Midwest Scouting Coordinator and National Cross Checker, and he stuck with them for another 11 years. People called him “Pencil” because he had a sharp eye for talent and always seemed to be taking notes.

He stayed devoted to baseball right up until the end. On June 15, 2005, he traveled to Round Rock, Texas, to catch a game—the same day he passed away.

Jean-Simon DesRocher included Sembera in the 2009 novel La canicule des pauvres. The book cast him as a minor character during the 1968-69 offseason, tying his Expos experience to Canadian literature in a pretty neat way.

Personal Life and Net Worth

Carroll Sembera kept close ties to his Texas roots all his life. After his playing career wrapped up, he transitioned to scouting. He didn’t make the kind of money today’s players do—his finances reflected the modest paychecks of 1960s ballplayers.

Family and Private Endeavors

Carroll Sembera was born and died in Shiner, Texas, the same small town where he grew up. That says a lot about how much he valued his hometown.

He lived from July 26, 1941, to June 15, 2005, spending 64 years in the close-knit community where he first learned to play baseball.

Sembera went to Shiner High School and made his first mark on the diamond there. His talent landed him a scholarship to Trinity University, which set him up for a shot at pro ball.

Family Legacy:

• Grandfather of Tanner Sembera
• Always stayed connected to his Texas roots
• Born and died in Shiner, Texas

After he retired from playing in 1970, Sembera stuck around the sport as a scout. He worked with the Major League Scouting Bureau and spent eleven years with the Seattle Mariners.

That move let him stay in the game he loved while building a new career after his days on the mound.

Estimated Net Worth at Retirement

Carroll Sembera retired with finances that really mirrored the modest pay structure of Major League Baseball in the 1960s.

Back then, players earned way less than today’s athletes. Most guys needed to find other ways to make money once their baseball careers wrapped up.

Career Earnings Factors:

• He played five seasons (1965-1967, 1969-1970).
• Relief pitchers usually got paid less than starters.
• The league didn’t offer free agency during his time.

After retiring, Sembera worked as a scout and kept a steady paycheck for more than ten years.

His jobs with the Major League Scouting Bureau and Seattle Mariners gave him a boost alongside his baseball pension and any savings he managed.

Nobody’s published exact net worth numbers for Sembera, which isn’t surprising. Players from his era usually built up only modest wealth, especially compared to the guys who came later.