Don Lock – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Don Lock made a name for himself in baseball during his eight-year major league career from 1962 to 1969. This Kansas farm kid became a professional outfielder and left his mark with three teams: the Washington Senators, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Red Sox. He finally hung up his cleats at the end of the 1969 season.

Lock’s career really stood out for his power at the plate and his sharp defensive play in center field. Still, he had his battles with consistency at bat, like a lot of sluggers from that era. His path from a Wichita State University basketball scholarship to a professional baseball career shows off the kind of all-around athleticism you saw more often back then.

Lock’s story has some great moments, including a dramatic home run in his very first major league game. He also took on a leadership role with the struggling Washington Senators in the mid-1960s.

He developed in the New York Yankees farm system before wrapping up his career with the Boston Red Sox. Lock’s journey really captures both the ups and downs of playing pro baseball in the 1960s.

After retiring, Lock managed in the minors and earned a spot in the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame. Clearly, he left a mark on the sport that went beyond his playing days.

Early Life and Amateur Athletic Career

Don Wilson Lock grew up on a Kansas farm and became a two-sport star at Wichita State University. He got noticed in several sports during high school and college, and his versatility eventually caught the eye of major league scouts.

Childhood in Kansas

Don Wilson Lock was born on July 27, 1936, in Wichita, Kansas, to John and Agnes Lock. He was their only child.

The Lock family ran a farm in Valley Township, Kingman County. That rural life gave Don a work ethic that stuck with him all through his athletic career.

The area where Don grew up was pretty sparsely populated—Valley Township had just 102 residents in the 2010 census, and Kingman County had fewer than 8,000 people.

Don went to Kingman public schools as a kid. The small-town setting let him try out all sorts of activities and helped him build the athletic skills that would later make him a standout.

High School Sports and Achievements

At Kingman High School, Don Lock played three big sports: basketball, football, and track. His athletic versatility really started to show during those years.

Lock earned letters in both basketball and football, proving he could handle more than one sport. That background helped him develop the athleticism he’d need for pro baseball.

In 1951, Don played American Legion baseball, which was his first taste of organized ball. He also played two seasons of semipro baseball for the Boeing Bo-Jets in 1954 and 1957.

The semipro games gave Lock tougher competition and helped him sharpen his baseball skills. That experience turned out to be key as he worked toward a pro career.

Wichita State University and Collegiate Athletics

Don Lock went to Wichita State University on a basketball scholarship, recruited by coach Ralph Miller. He finished his degree in physical education by taking classes in the offseason.

Lock got a letter in basketball at Wichita State. In 1955, he started as a guard for Miller’s Shockers in the first game ever played in the roundhouse—what’s now Koch Arena—against Phog Allen’s Kansas Jayhawks.

Playing for Wichita State gave Lock a real taste of college-level competition. His time with Coach Miller helped him develop his competitive edge and leadership on the court.

Lock didn’t give up baseball while at Wichita State. He played both sports, and his performances started turning heads among professional scouts. Eventually, the New York Yankees signed him in March 1958, during his senior year.

Minor League Development and New York Yankees Signing

Don Wilson Lock started his pro baseball journey in 1958 when Yankees scout Tom Greenwade signed him out of Wichita State. Lock spent four years working on his game in the Yankees’ minor league system, showing flashes of power but still trying to hit more consistently.

Signing With the Yankees Organization

Tom Greenwade—the same guy who signed Mickey Mantle—brought Lock on board in March 1958, right as Lock was finishing up at Wichita State. The Yankees gave Lock a $12,500 signing bonus to join as an amateur free agent.

Lock had come to Wichita State on a basketball scholarship from Ralph Miller. He managed to letter in basketball and finish his physical education degree during the offseasons.

That signing happened during a pretty hectic week for Lock. He married Delores Kay Anthony on March 14, 1958, just days before joining the Yankees.

Lock became only the fourth player from Wichita State to sign a pro baseball contract. At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, he had the size and athleticism the Yankees liked in their prospects.

Performance in the Minor Leagues

Lock kicked off his pro career with the Class C Fargo-Moorhead Twins in the Northern League in 1958. He played 121 games and hit .257, with 13 home runs and 78 RBIs.

He really broke out in 1959 with the Class B Greensboro Yankees, hitting .283 with 30 home runs and 122 RBIs in 133 games.

Lock led the Carolina League in homers, RBIs, and runs scored that year. Oddly, he didn’t make the All-Star team, even with those numbers.

Parade Magazine did put Lock on their minor league All-Star team in 1959, giving him some national attention for his power.

In 1960, Lock played mostly for Single-A Binghamton, where he batted .262 with 35 home runs and 117 RBIs. Yankees evaluators definitely noticed his power.

Key Minor League Milestones

Lock’s 1960 season at Binghamton was his best in the minors. He led the Eastern League with 35 home runs and 117 RBIs.

The Yankees moved Lock up to Triple-A Richmond in 1961. He set a club record with 29 home runs, but his average dropped to .236.

In 1962, Lock struggled at Richmond, hitting just .194 in 73 games. That slump made him available when the Yankees needed to make a trade.

Minor League Career Totals:

• Games: 724
• Batting Average: .250
• Home Runs: 135
• RBIs: 470

Lock’s minor league years showed he had real power, but his batting average was up and down. The Yankees eventually traded him to Washington in July 1962, ending his four-year run in their system.

Major League Debut and Washington Senators Impact

Don Lock’s move to Washington changed the game for him. He went from a struggling minor leaguer to a major league home run threat. His debut against the Chicago White Sox turned out to be one of the most unforgettable first games in baseball.

Trade to the Washington Senators

The New York Yankees traded Don Lock to the Washington Senators on July 11, 1962, for veteran first baseman Dale Long. The Yankees needed help for their pennant race and decided to let go of the promising but inconsistent outfielder.

Lock had been hitting just .194 with Richmond in Triple-A. His minor league career had plenty of power, but he couldn’t always find consistency at the plate.

Senators General Manager Ed Doherty saw something in the 25-year-old outfielder. “The Yankees didn’t want to give up Lock, but they were in a hurry to win the pennant and needed Long for pinch-hitting,” Doherty said.

The trade finally gave Lock a shot at the majors. He’d been one of the last players cut from the Yankees’ big league roster that spring.

First MLB Game and Home Run Against Juan Pizarro

Lock made his big league debut on July 17, 1962, in a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. His first game turned into one of the most dramatic debuts you’ll ever hear about.

The opener stayed scoreless through six innings. Lock led off the seventh against White Sox pitcher Juan Pizarro. Down 0-2, Lock got hold of a pitch and sent it to left-center for a home run.

That solo shot turned out to be the only run in a 1-0 win. Dave Stenhouse threw a shutout for Washington, but Lock’s debut homer was the difference.

Lock came in as a defensive sub in the second game and struck out in his only at-bat. Still, he’d already made his presence felt in the American League.

Notable Performances and Team Contributions

Lock finished his rookie year with strong numbers for the Washington Senators. He played 71 games, drove in 37 runs, and hit 12 home runs in just half a season.

Fans and teammates quickly noticed his defense. Lock played center field with great range and a strong arm, making some highlight-reel catches during his time in Washington.

The 1963 and 1964 seasons were Lock’s best with the Senators. He led the team in home runs and RBIs both years, with 27 and 28 homers respectively.

Lock earned a reputation for clutch hitting while in Washington. In 1963, he won three extra-inning games with key hits, including a 13th-inning grand slam on May 8 and a 14th-inning solo homer on May 12.

His glove didn’t go unnoticed either. Lock led AL center fielders in putouts, assists, and double plays in 1963, then topped all outfielders in assists in 1964.

Statistical Achievements and Playing Style

Don Lock’s eight-year career gave him some pretty impressive power stats, even though his batting average was modest. His defensive skills made him a valuable center fielder, and his best seasons really showed off both his offense and his glove.

Home Run Power and Offensive Statistics

Lock’s offense was all about power. He finished his career with 122 home runs and 373 runs batted in over 921 games.

His best years were 1963 and 1964 with the Senators. Lock hit 27 home runs in ’63 and 28 in ’64, driving in 82 and 80 runs in those seasons.

Lock’s power came with a price—he was streaky. His career batting average was .238. He struck out a lot, finishing second in the American League in strikeouts in both 1963 and 1964.

Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 202 pounds, Lock had the build to generate real power from the right side.

Fielding Excellence as an Outfielder

Lock’s defense made him a standout in center field. In 1963, he led all AL center fielders in putouts, assists, and double plays turned.

His range and arm strength let him cover a lot of ground. Opposing runners had to think twice about taking an extra base on him.

In 1964, Lock led all AL outfielders in assists, showing off his strong arm again.

He moved from left field to center field early in his time with Washington. By 1963, he had taken over as the Senators’ regular center fielder, replacing Jimmy Piersall.

Comparison With League Contemporaries

Lock played in an era full of powerful center fielders in the American League. Sure, he didn’t reach the superstar level of someone like Mickey Mantle, but his production was solid for the time.

Those 27 and 28 home run seasons put him among the better power hitters in the mid-1960s. Not many guys could match his combo of defense and power.

His high strikeout totals fit the trend of the 1960s, as power hitters started to accept more strikeouts in exchange for long balls.

Lock’s career spanned the last years of the original Washington Senators franchise. He brought some stability and production to a team that really needed it.

Later MLB Career: Red Sox and Phillies Years

Lock wrapped up his professional baseball career with stints on the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox from 1967 to 1969. He spent two seasons as a platoon player with the Phillies, then finished his major league run with a short stay in Boston.

Season With the Philadelphia Phillies

On November 30, 1966, the Washington Senators traded Lock to the Philadelphia Phillies for left-handed relief pitcher Darold Knowles and some cash. Phillies manager Gene Mauch wanted Lock mostly for his defense in center field.

“I understand no outfielder in the American League could go back on a ball better than Lock,” Mauch said. He figured Lock’s skills fit perfectly with the deep center field at Connie Mack Stadium.

Lock’s 1967 season with Philadelphia was, well, a little all over the place. He started out hot, batting .300 through June.

His best day happened on June 25 in a doubleheader against St. Louis. Lock went 6-for-8, homered in both games, and drove in six runs.

After the All-Star break, though, things got rough. Lock’s bat cooled off, and he hit under .200 in the second half.

He finished the year with a .252 average, 14 home runs, and 51 RBIs.

The 1968 season didn’t do him any favors. Lock played only 99 games and just couldn’t get things going at the plate.

By the end of June, he was batting under .200 and hadn’t hit a single home run. He wrapped up the year hitting .210, with eight home runs and 34 RBIs.

Time With the Boston Red Sox

On May 5, 1969, Lock joined the Boston Red Sox when Philadelphia traded him for Bill Schlesinger. The Phillies brought up Larry Hisle, so Lock didn’t fit into their plans anymore.

He barely got any playing time in April, managing just four at-bats before the trade.

The Red Sox sent Lock to their minor league system at first. He didn’t see much action with Boston’s big league club that season.

This was a big change for Lock. He’d been a regular starter with the Senators, but now he was mostly on the sidelines.

Lock’s time with the Red Sox turned out to be the end of his pro baseball career. At 32, he had to fight for playing time in a crowded outfield.

The team used him here and there, but he never matched his best years in Washington.

Transition Toward Retirement

Lock’s 1969 season with the Red Sox pretty much closed the book on his major league days. After eight seasons in pro baseball, he retired following that campaign.

He left behind a .238 career batting average, 122 home runs, and 373 RBIs over 921 games.

As he moved from regular starter to bench player, Lock experienced the same decline that catches up with most players. His strikeout troubles, always a problem, got worse as his power faded.

Even as his bat cooled off, Lock’s defense stayed sharp. That glove of his probably kept him in the majors longer than his hitting did.

Post-Retirement Baseball Involvement and Legacy

After he finished playing in 1969, Don Lock stayed connected to baseball. He managed in the minors and earned recognition for his Kansas athletics contributions.

Lock kept working in player development and picked up several honors for his baseball achievements.

Minor League Management Roles

Lock jumped right into managing after his major league career ended. He led several minor league teams in the Boston Red Sox organization.

He managed the Winston-Salem Red Sox and the Pawtucket Red Sox. These jobs let him share his major league experience with young players coming up.

Lock also took the helm of the Wilson Pennants, expanding his influence in minor league baseball. His time as a manager showed how much he cared about helping the next generation of players.

Going from centerfielder to manager really showed Lock’s deep understanding of the game. Playing for three major league teams gave him insights he could pass on to kids chasing their own big league dreams.

Honors and Lasting Recognition

Lock earned plenty of recognition back home in Kansas for his baseball achievements. In 1974, just five years after he retired, the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame inducted him.

That early honor said a lot about his impact. Lock’s 122 home runs and stellar defense as a centerfielder left their mark on Kansas baseball history.

In 2017, Lock received a posthumous induction into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. This award recognized his accomplishments in more than just baseball, including his basketball days at Wichita State University.

The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame celebrated Lock’s complete athletic legacy. His story became part of Kansas’s rich sports tradition, and it still inspires young athletes across the state.

Personal Life and Final Years

After his baseball career ended, Lock went back to his Kansas roots. He kept close ties to his hometown of Kingman and the Wichita area where he was born.

Lock died on October 8, 2017, at age 81 in Wichita, Kansas. His family buried him at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Kingman, bringing him back to the community that shaped his early athletic life.

Just months before his Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction, Lock passed away. That timing made the honor feel especially significant, almost like a final nod to everything he’d done for Kansas sports.

Lock’s legacy isn’t just about stats or awards. His dramatic major league debut on July 17, 1962, still stands out as a memorable moment in baseball history, one that really defined his career.