Bob Buhl – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bob Buhl built a remarkable 15-year career in Major League Baseball before he finally hung up his cleats in 1967. He left behind a legacy as one of the most intimidating pitchers of his era.

The hard-throwing right-hander from Saginaw, Michigan, spent most of his career with the Milwaukee Braves. He formed part of the legendary “Big Three” pitching rotation alongside Warren Spahn and Lew Burdette.

Buhl officially retired from professional baseball on May 16, 1967, after the Philadelphia Phillies released him. He ended his career with a 166-132 record and a 3.55 ERA across 2,587 innings.

People knew Buhl for his fierce competitiveness and his willingness to pitch inside. He played a key role in the Milwaukee Braves’ golden years in the 1950s.

His journey from a small-town Michigan teenager to a World Series champion really shows the grit and determination that defined his playing style.

Buhl played for three different franchises and earned multiple All-Star selections. Still, his role in Milwaukee’s 1957 World Series championship truly cemented his place in baseball history.

From his humble beginnings in Depression-era Michigan to his final season in Philadelphia, Buhl’s story mirrors the changing landscape of professional baseball in the mid-20th century.

His retirement marked the end of an era for a player who witnessed and contributed to some of the most memorable moments in National League history. He saw the Braves move from Boston to Milwaukee and helped lead their championship run.

Early Life And Path To The Majors

Robert Ray Buhl was born on August 12, 1928, in Saginaw, Michigan. He developed into a standout three-sport athlete at Saginaw High School.

After signing with the Chicago White Sox organization in 1947, he became a free agent. He eventually worked his way through the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Braves in 1953.

Family Background And Childhood In Saginaw

Bob Buhl was born to Raymond and Irene Buhl in Saginaw, Michigan, during the late 1920s. He was their only child and grew up in a hard-working family of modest means during the Depression era.

The family faced tough times during Bob’s teenage years. His father Raymond died when Bob was a senior in high school, which created real financial difficulties at home.

This tragedy forced young Buhl to take on adult responsibilities early. He had to find work from 2:30 to 10:00 each day to help support his family.

The job forced Bob to drop some of his schoolwork. He had to return the following semester in fall 1946 to finally complete his high school education.

Despite these hardships, Bob kept his focus on athletics. He started playing sandlot baseball during his junior high school years and showed a natural talent for the sport.

High School Athletics And Early Baseball Experiences

At Saginaw High School, Buhl excelled as a three-sport athlete. He played baseball, basketball, and football, showing off his athletic ability all around.

On the baseball team from 1942 to 1946, Buhl pitched and played first base. His strong arm and competitive nature made him stand out for the school.

He also played as a lineman on the football team, which definitely helped build his physical toughness and competitive edge.

Even with all his athletic success, Buhl doubted that professional scouts ever attended his games. He felt like the baseball establishment overlooked him during his high school career.

In summer 1946, he attended a Chicago White Sox tryout camp held in Saginaw. He pitched just one inning but impressed the scouts enough to earn a contract offer.

The White Sox had to wait until his graduation to officially sign him due to major league rules. After finishing his classes in fall 1946, Buhl signed his first professional contract in early 1947.

Minor League Journey Before MLB Debut

Buhl started his professional career with the Madisonville Miners in the Class D Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League in 1947. At just 18, he dominated the league with 19 wins and a 3.00 ERA across 216 innings.

“I was cocky,” Buhl later admitted about his early professional days. But his control problems were obvious—he walked 126 batters that season.

A contract dispute made Buhl a free agent after his first season. He appealed to Commissioner Happy Chandler, claiming the White Sox had signed him illegally while he was still in high school.

Fourteen teams chased the free agent pitcher, and he finally signed with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. They gave him an $800-a-month Triple-A contract and even a new car as a bonus.

He moved through the minors with stops in Saginaw (1948), Hartford (1949), and Dallas (1950). Each level came with new challenges and learning opportunities.

Military service interrupted his career from 1951-1952. He served as an Army paratrooper at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and pitched for base teams under the alias “Lieutenant Brown.”

After he returned from military service, manager Charlie Grimm pushed for Buhl’s promotion to the major leagues. “The guy had everything but control,” Grimm said, “He throws as hard as any pitcher I ever saw.”

Major League Career Overview

Bob Buhl played 15 years in the MLB from 1953 to 1967, putting together a 166-132 record with a 3.55 ERA in 457 games. He joined the Milwaukee Braves after his military service temporarily interrupted his career.

He eventually became a key part of the franchise’s famous “Big Three” pitching rotation.

Debut And Early Years With The Milwaukee Braves

Buhl made his major league debut on April 17, 1953, at age 24 against the Cincinnati Reds. He lasted just 2⅓ innings in relief and took the loss after allowing 3 earned runs.

His next outing was much better. Buhl threw a two-hitter against the New York Giants, though he walked six and hit another batter, showing the control issues that would stick with him early on.

He exceeded expectations as a rookie despite his wildness. Buhl appeared in 30 games with 18 starts, posting a 13-8 record and 2.97 ERA. His ERA ranked third-best in the National League.

Notable 1953 achievements:

• Three shutouts, including a two-hitter against Pittsburgh
• 14-inning complete game victory over the Chicago Cubs (2-1)
• He was much more effective as a starter (2.78 ERA) than as a reliever (3.98 ERA)

The Milwaukee Braves finished 92-62 in second place, setting the stage for their championship years.

Military Service Interruption And Return

Buhl’s career was interrupted by two years of military service from 1951-1952. He served as an Army paratrooper stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, during the Korean War era.

During his service, Buhl married Joyce Miles of Saginaw in October 1951. He kept his baseball skills sharp by pitching for his base team and local semipro teams under the name “Lieutenant Brown.”

“I earned more money playing weekend baseball than I did in the Army,” Buhl later joked about his time in service.

Manager Charlie Grimm, who had worked with Buhl in the minors, became the Boston Braves skipper in mid-1952. Grimm’s familiarity with Buhl’s abilities helped him secure a roster spot for 1953.

“The guy had everything but control,” Grimm said. “He throws as hard as any pitcher I ever saw.” That kind of endorsement definitely helped Buhl’s chances on the team that relocated to Milwaukee.

Development As A Starting Pitcher

After struggling in 1954 with a 2-7 record and 4.00 ERA, Buhl’s future as a starter looked a bit shaky. The 1955 season started rough too, with losses in three of his first four decisions, so they pulled him from the rotation in May.

A June 2 start against Brooklyn changed things. Even though he took the loss, Buhl struck out nine and allowed only five hits over seven innings, earning another shot in the rotation.

Buhl answered with four complete-game wins in five outings. After two July losses, he won eight of his next nine decisions, finishing 13-11 with a 3.21 ERA—third-best in the NL.

His intimidating presence became his trademark. With bushy black eyebrows and a crewcut, Buhl stared down batters and worked quickly on the mound. “I was mean on the mound,” he said, remembering his competitive style.

Pitching coach Bucky Walters helped Buhl develop a slider that worked well with his strong fastball. “It looked like a fastball but would break real quick down and away from a right-handed hitter,” Buhl explained.

Peak Years And Career Achievements

Bob Buhl hit his prime in the mid-1950s through early 1960s, establishing himself as one of the National League’s most reliable pitchers. His best seasons came with the Milwaukee Braves from 1955 to 1959, when he won 18 games twice and earned All-Star recognition.

Breakout Seasons And Consistency On The Mound

Buhl’s big breakthrough came in 1955 after a disappointing 1954. He bounced back with a 13-11 record and a 3.21 ERA, which ranked third in the National League.

The 1956 season marked his emergence as an elite pitcher. Buhl posted an 18-8 record with a 3.32 ERA and started turning heads. He earned the nickname “Dodger Killer” after beating Brooklyn in six straight starts that year.

His best year was 1957 when he went 18-8 with a 2.74 ERA. Buhl led the National League in winning percentage at .720 and completed 14 of his 31 starts. That kind of performance helped the Braves grab their first pennant in Milwaukee.

Buhl kept up his consistency through 1959, anchoring the “Big Three” rotation with Warren Spahn and Lew Burdette. This trio won 56 games together during the 1957 championship season.

All-Star Selections And MVP Consideration

Buhl earned two All-Star selections during his career, showing he ranked among the National League’s top pitchers. His consistent performance in the mid-1950s established him as one of the game’s most reliable starters.

He received MVP votes twice, in 1956 and 1957, during his peak seasons with Milwaukee.

The 1956 season brought his first MVP consideration after his 18-win campaign. His reputation as the Dodger Killer made him a big figure in the National League pennant races back then.

His 1957 MVP votes came during Milwaukee’s World Series championship season. Buhl’s league-best .720 winning percentage and 2.74 ERA made him indispensable to the Braves’ success.

Key Pitching Stats: Wins, ERA, Complete Games

Buhl’s career stats show his durability and effectiveness over 15 seasons. He finished with 166 wins and 132 losses, posting a solid 3.55 ERA across 457 games.

His peak seasons produced some impressive numbers:

• 1956: 18-8, 3.32 ERA, 13 complete games
• 1957: 18-8, 2.74 ERA, 14 complete games
• 1959: 15-9, 2.86 ERA, 10 complete games

Buhl completed 111 games during his career and threw 20 shutouts. He pitched over 200 innings seven times, which says a lot about the workload starters handled in that era.

His control issues led to 1,000+ career walks, but he also struck out 1,268 batters. Despite the wildness, Buhl’s competitive fire and ability to pitch inside kept him effective against opposing hitters.

Postseason Performances With The Braves

Buhl got his postseason shot during Milwaukee’s big 1957 and 1958 World Series runs. The team found success, but his 1957 playoff outings didn’t go as planned.

In Game 3 of the 1957 World Series against the Yankees, Buhl ran into trouble right away. Tony Kubek, the second batter, took him deep for a home run, and Buhl couldn’t even finish the first inning after giving up three runs.

Game 6 gave Buhl another chance to help Milwaukee clinch the title. But again, he struggled with control, walking four batters and giving up a two-run homer to Yogi Berra. The manager had to pull him in the third inning.

Still, Buhl played a huge role in getting the Braves to the World Series in the first place. He won 18 games in 1957, and those wins helped Milwaukee grab its only championship while the team called that city home.

Transitions And Later Career

Bob Buhl’s career took some big turns in the 1960s. He bounced between teams and dealt with nagging arm issues. The trade to the Chicago Cubs started a new chapter, and he finished up with a short stint for the Philadelphia Phillies before retiring in 1967.

Trade To The Chicago Cubs

On May 3, 1962, the Milwaukee Braves sent Bob Buhl to the Chicago Cubs. In return, they got Bob Rush, a veteran pitcher who’d spent years with Chicago.

This trade gave Buhl a fresh start, which he probably needed. His shoulder had been giving him problems in Milwaukee, and the Cubs hoped his experience could help out their young pitching staff.

Buhl found some success right away in Chicago. He learned to deal with Wrigley Field’s unpredictable wind and those hitter-friendly fences. His slider still fooled National League batters who didn’t see him much.

The Cubs appreciated having Buhl around, especially in the clubhouse. He worked with younger pitchers and shared tips about opposing hitters. His reputation as a gritty competitor rubbed off on the team during a rebuilding phase.

Tenure With The Philadelphia Phillies

In 1966, Philadelphia picked up Buhl from the Cubs, hoping his veteran presence would steady their pitching staff. They needed depth and figured his experience couldn’t hurt.

But things didn’t work out so well for Buhl in Philly. His fastball just wasn’t what it used to be, and his control slipped even more. At 38, he couldn’t quite adjust to American League lineups or the different ballparks.

He didn’t pitch much for the Phillies in 1966. His 6-8 record reflected his fading skills and the team’s spotty run support. Hitters started timing his slower pitches, and his ERA went up.

The Phillies mostly used Buhl as a spot starter or long reliever. As new arms emerged, his role kept shrinking. The front office saw the writing on the wall—his career was winding down, even though he still wanted to compete.

Final MLB Seasons And Decline

Buhl started his last MLB season with the 1967 Phillies. He pitched in just three games before the team released him on May 16, 1967, when they had to trim the roster to 25.

That release ended his 15-year career. No other teams came calling for the aging right-hander. Buhl finished with a 166-132 record and a 3.55 ERA over 2,587 innings.

His decline was obvious by then. Batters didn’t fear his inside pitches anymore, and his slider lost its bite. The herky-jerky delivery that once threw hitters off just wasn’t fooling anyone.

Buhl retired for good after that. He knew his days as a competitor were over. The glory days with the 1950s Milwaukee Braves felt far away.

Retirement And Legacy

Bob Buhl’s time in baseball ended suddenly in 1967 with the Phillies. That wrapped up a 15-year run that included 166 wins and a World Series ring. People still debate his place in baseball history, especially considering what he did for Milwaukee during their best years.

Retirement In 1967 And Life After Baseball

Buhl’s last season started with a bit of hope, but it fizzled out fast. At 38, he pitched in just three games for the Phillies before they let him go on May 16, 1967, to meet roster limits.

After a rough 6-8 record in 1966, no other teams showed interest. He officially retired with a 166-132 record and a 3.55 ERA over 2,587 innings.

The switch from pro baseball to regular life happened quickly. He’d spent about two decades in organized ball, including minor league years where he picked up 46 more wins. His retirement closed the book on the Milwaukee Braves’ “Big Three” rotation.

After baseball, Buhl stayed connected to the game through appearances and interviews. He took pride in his part in the 1957 World Series win and his reputation as a “Dodger killer” during Milwaukee’s best seasons.

Assessment Of Career Statistics And Impact

Buhl’s stats show a pitcher who got the job done during baseball’s golden age. He racked up 166 wins, including 18 in both 1956 and 1957. Over his career, he completed 111 games and notched 20 shutouts.

He made two All-Star teams and even picked up MVP votes in 1956 and 1957. In 1957, his .720 winning percentage led the National League. Buhl won at least 15 games five times and pitched over 200 innings in seven different seasons.

Key Career Statistics:

• Record: 166-132
• ERA: 3.55
• Complete Games: 111
• Shutouts: 20
• All-Star Appearances: 2

His legend as a “Dodger killer” is pretty well known. In 1956, he beat Brooklyn eight times. Even after the Cubs trade in 1962, his first win for Chicago came against Los Angeles just a couple days later.

Buhl’s impact went beyond numbers. He anchored Milwaukee’s rotation with Warren Spahn and Lew Burdette from 1953 to 1961.

Debates On Hall Of Fame Candidacy

Buhl’s Hall of Fame case still sparks debate among baseball fans and historians. With 166 wins, he doesn’t hit the 200-win milestone that usually gets pitchers into Cooperstown.

Supporters argue that his peak years in Milwaukee, especially during the championship run, make him worthy. He played a big part in the 1957 World Series win and held his own in a very tough National League.

Advanced stats like ERA+ show he performed above average for most of his career. The war years affected a lot of players from his era, and Buhl’s military service happened early in his pro journey.

Critics point out his short peak and lack of postseason success. He was on a championship team, but his own World Series outings were rough. Retiring at 38 meant he didn’t have time to pile up more milestones.

The Hall of Fame debate still pops up among writers and fans who remember Milwaukee’s glory days.

Personal Life And Remembrance

Bob Buhl’s life after baseball included his marriage to Joyce Miles and a reputation as a fierce competitor. When he died in 2001 at 72, Milwaukee Braves fans felt the loss of someone who truly embodied that era.

Family And Personal Relationships

Buhl married Joyce Miles of Saginaw in October 1951 while serving as an Army paratrooper at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. They met during his military service, which took him away from baseball for two years from 1951 to 1952.

Tragedy struck early in Buhl’s life when his father, Raymond, died during Bob’s senior year of high school. To help his family, he worked from 2:30 to 10:00 each day, forcing him to drop some classes and delay graduation until fall 1946.

He grew up as an only child in Saginaw, Michigan, raised by Raymond and Irene Buhl. The family didn’t have much during the Depression and war years, but they always backed his athletic dreams.

While in the Army, Buhl kept his pitching sharp by playing for his base team and local semipro clubs. He even used the name “Lieutenant Brown” and sometimes earned more money on weekends than from his Army paycheck.

Character, Reputation, And Influence On Teammates

Buhl built a reputation as an intimidating, tough-as-nails pitcher. “I was mean on the mound,” he once said. His bushy black eyebrows and crewcut just added to the glare he gave hitters.

He formed close bonds with Warren Spahn and Lew Burdette, making up Milwaukee’s “Big Three” rotation. The three pushed each other, played pranks, and shared beers, but always kept it professional.

“We’d talk about hitters,” Buhl remembered about his time with Spahn and Burdette. “Once you’ve seen the hitter, you have a pretty good idea how to get them out.” That teamwork made them one of baseball’s best rotations.

Buhl’s “Dodger Killer” nickname stuck for a reason. He beat Brooklyn eight times in 1956 alone. “I showed them I was the boss,” he said about facing the Dodgers. “They knew I’d brush them back.”

Honors And Memorials

Bob Buhl made the All-Star team twice during his career, which is no small feat. He even picked up MVP votes in both 1956 and 1957.

Over 15 seasons, he put together a 166-132 record with a 3.55 ERA. That’s really nothing to sneeze at—he stood out as one of the era’s more reliable starting pitchers.

Buhl passed away on February 16, 2001, in Titusville, Florida. He was 72. After his death, his family had him cremated.

The baseball community still talks about his role in the Milwaukee Braves’ 1957 World Series championship. People saw him as a key contributor to that legendary team.

His legacy? Well, he played a big part in one of baseball’s most dominant pitching rotations. Out of his 166 career wins, he notched 109 with the Braves.

Buhl pitched aggressively and wasn’t afraid to throw inside, which left a mark on the next generation of pitchers. Some even say he helped shape the way pitchers approach the game.

Baseball historians still give him credit for what he did on the mound. His 111 complete games and 20 shutouts really show what a different era it was back then.