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

Don Lee wrapped up his baseball journey in 1966, pitching his final game for the Chicago Cubs on August 21st against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Over nearly a decade in Major League Baseball, the right-handed pitcher bounced between six different teams, building a reputation as a reliable journeyman who could step up either as a starter or out of the bullpen.

Don Lee retired from professional baseball in 1966 after a nine-season career. He finished with a 40-44 record and a 3.61 ERA in 244 games. His path took him from debuting with the Detroit Tigers in 1957 to stints with the Washington Senators, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, and Houston Astros before he closed things out with the Cubs.

Lee’s story gives us a fascinating peek into the life of a solid major league pitcher during baseball’s golden era. From growing up as the son of former White Sox pitcher Thornton Lee to finding himself in one of baseball’s more unique historical moments, his career shows both the challenges and the rewards of pro baseball in the late ’50s and ’60s.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Donald Edward Lee was born February 26, 1934, in Globe, Arizona. He grew up in a baseball family, which pretty much set the stage for his future in sports. His college years at the University of Arizona laid the groundwork for his signing with the Detroit Tigers in 1956.

Childhood and Family Background

Don Lee grew up in Globe, Arizona, with baseball running through his family’s veins. His dad, Thornton Lee, was already an established Major League pitcher, so Don basically had pro baseball as part of everyday life.

The Lee household gave Don a front-row seat to what pro baseball demanded and offered. Having a father pitching at the highest level meant Don picked up insights into the game most kids could only dream about.

That family connection made for a historic moment later on. In 1960, Ted Williams homered off Don after having already done the same to Thornton back in 1939.

Growing up in Arizona, Don enjoyed year-round baseball weather. That constant access helped him develop his right-handed pitching skills early on.

University of Arizona Baseball Experience

Don Lee played for the University of Arizona, where he kept sharpening his pitching game at the college level. The program gave him structured training and plenty of chances to face tough competition.

His time at Arizona helped him work on his mechanics and build up the stamina he’d need for pro ball. College baseball really bridged the gap between high school and the pros for him.

The Arizona coaching staff focused on the mental side of pitching too. They worked with Lee on game strategy and situational awareness, which definitely paid off later in his career.

He caught the eyes of professional scouts with his college performance. That exposure led to his shot with the Detroit Tigers.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Detroit Tigers signed Don Lee as an amateur free agent in 1956, seeing promise in his right arm. That signing kicked off his journey toward the majors.

Since he wasn’t picked through the traditional draft, the Tigers went after him directly. They clearly liked something about his game.

The 1956 signing set him up for his MLB debut the very next season. The Tigers’ investment showed their confidence in his potential.

He moved from amateur to pro pretty quickly. Just a year after signing, Lee made his Major League debut on April 23, 1957, against the Kansas City Athletics.

Major League Baseball Debut and Overview

Don Lee started his professional career with the Detroit Tigers in 1957. That launched a nine-year trip through six teams in both the American and National Leagues. His move from Detroit to Washington turned out to be a big step, helping him establish himself as a dependable major league pitcher.

Signing With Detroit Tigers

Don Lee made his Major League Baseball debut on April 23, 1957, with the Detroit Tigers at age 23. The righty from Globe, Arizona, reached the majors after playing at Phoenix College and the University of Arizona.

His first season with Detroit in the AL was tough. Lee posted a 1-3 record and a 4.66 ERA over 11 appearances, including six starts. He pitched 38.2 innings, gave up 48 hits, and struck out 19 batters.

In 1958, Lee only got into one game for Detroit, pitching two innings with a 9.00 ERA. That brief stint marked the end of his time with the Tigers.

Lee’s early struggles with Detroit weren’t unusual for young pitchers. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, he had the build, but consistency just wasn’t there yet.

Transition to the Washington Senators

Lee’s career picked up when he joined the Washington Senators in 1959. After missing from big league records in 1959, he came back strong in 1960.

That 1960 season turned out to be his breakout. Lee went 8-7 with a 3.44 ERA for Washington, pitching in 44 games and starting 20 of them. He logged 165 innings, showing he could handle a big workload.

When the Senators became the Minnesota Twins in 1961, Lee kept up his solid performance. He put up a 3.52 ERA in 37 appearances, working as both a starter and reliever.

His years with the Senators and Twins from 1960 to 1962 were his most stable stretch. Improved command and versatility made him a key part of the pitching staff.

Pitching Style and Role

Lee grew into a versatile pitcher, able to start or relieve as needed. His tall frame gave him good leverage and a real presence on the mound.

He wasn’t a power pitcher, but he focused on control. Lee finished with a career strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.66, showing he could command his pitches. Avoiding walks helped him in all sorts of situations.

Over his career, Lee shifted from starting more often to coming out of the bullpen. That flexibility kept him around for nine seasons and six different teams.

His career ERA of 3.61 shows he delivered steady results, no matter his role. With 828.1 innings pitched, Lee proved himself as a reliable arm in the majors.

Career Highlights and Notable Achievements

Don Lee’s nine-season career included a standout 1962 with the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels, plus a quirky place in history thanks to Ted Williams’ home run connections. His career stats include 40 wins, 44 losses, and a 3.61 ERA in 244 games.

1962 Breakout Season

Lee’s best year came in 1962 when he split the season between the Twins and Angels. That year, he hit career-highs in several categories.

He notched 11 wins, his top mark for a single season. Lee also struck out 102 batters—the only time he broke 100 K’s.

He pitched 205⅓ innings in 1962, his heaviest workload. Lee also threw 2 shutouts that year, tying his best in that stat.

His work that season showed he could handle bigger responsibilities, whether starting or relieving. He proved himself as a reliable pitcher for both teams.

Memorable Moments and Records

Lee wrapped up his career with solid numbers for a journeyman. His 40-44 record came along with 467 strikeouts and a 3.61 ERA over 244 games.

He started 97 games and picked up 11 saves from the bullpen. Lee pitched 828⅓ innings over his nine major league seasons.

He played college ball at the University of Arizona before signing with Detroit in 1956. Lee made his debut on April 23, 1957, at 23.

Throughout his career, he played for six teams: Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, and Chicago Cubs.

Ted Williams Home Run Anecdote

On September 2, 1960, Lee gave up a home run to Ted Williams during a doubleheader between the Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox. That moment created a unique bit of baseball history.

Williams had already homered off Lee’s father, Thornton, back on September 17, 1939. Thornton was pitching for the White Sox during his rookie year when Williams connected.

That made Ted Williams the only player in major league history to homer off both a father and son. The two home runs came 21 years apart.

Don Lee followed his dad into the majors, and together, they became part of one of baseball’s most unusual father-son records.

Teams Played For and Seasons

Don Lee suited up for six teams during his nine-season career from 1957 to 1966. His best years came with the Minnesota Twins and California Angels, and he finished things up with short stints in Houston and Chicago.

Stints With Minnesota Twins and California Angels

Lee landed with the Minnesota Twins organization in 1959, back when they were still the Washington Senators. He stayed with the franchise as they moved to Minnesota in 1961.

His time with the Twins was his most successful. In 1962, at 28, Lee put up career-best numbers while splitting the year between Minnesota and the Angels.

1962 Season Highlights:

• 11 wins (career high)
• 102 strikeouts (career high)
• 2 shutouts (career high)
• 205⅓ innings pitched (career high)

The Los Angeles Angels picked up Lee during the 1962 season. He kept pitching for the Angels through 1965, working as both a starter and reliever.

Lee started 97 games in his career. With the Angels, he bounced between the rotation and bullpen, making him a valuable versatile pitcher.

Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs Years

Lee wrapped up his career with short spells on two National League teams. The Houston Astros got him in 1965, when he was 31.

He pitched for Houston from 1965 to 1966. As he got older and bounced around more, his performance started to dip.

The Chicago Cubs became his last team in 1966. Lee made his final big league appearance on August 21, 1966, against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 32.

Final Career Statistics:

• 40-44 record
• 3.61 ERA
• 467 strikeouts
• 244 games played

Lee’s time with six teams really shows the life of a journeyman pitcher in the 1960s. His ability to fill different roles kept him in the big leagues for almost a decade.

1966 Season and Retirement

Don Lee’s last season in the majors saw him split time between the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs in the National League. His performance dropped off with the Cubs, and at 32, he decided to retire after nearly ten years in pro baseball.

Performance With Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs

Lee started the 1966 season with the Houston Astros, pitching pretty well out of the bullpen. He went 2-0 in nine games, posting a 2.50 ERA over 18 innings.

His control looked sharp during that stretch. He allowed only 17 hits, walked just four, and struck out nine.

Lee pitched only in relief for the Astros. He finished four games and kept things steady in the early part of the season.

Things went downhill after he joined the Chicago Cubs. In 16 games with Chicago, his ERA shot up to 7.11, and he struggled with command and effectiveness.

His stats with the Cubs told the story: 28 hits in just 19 innings, 12 walks, and only seven strikeouts.

For 1966 overall, Lee finished with a 4-1 record but a 4.86 ERA in 25 appearances. His WHIP jumped to 1.649, pointing to control problems that hadn’t really bothered him before.

Final Games and Decision to Retire

Lee made his last Major League appearance on August 21, 1966, facing the Pittsburgh Pirates. He threw three innings, gave up five hits, and allowed two earned runs in what ended up as his final game.

That night closed out a nine-year run that started with the Detroit Tigers back in 1957. Over 244 career games, Lee finished with a 40-44 record and a 3.61 ERA.

At just 32, Lee probably saw his declining effectiveness on the mound. He struggled with the Cubs, especially when he couldn’t find the strike zone, and that really signaled the end of his pro baseball days.

The 1966 season looked nothing like his early success with Houston. His difficulties in Chicago pushed him toward retirement from Major League Baseball.

Career Statistics and Analysis

Don Lee put together a solid nine-year career, ending up 40-44 with a 3.61 ERA across 244 games from 1957 to 1966. His stats show he was a reliable pitcher, both as a starter and reliever, and some advanced numbers suggest he was above average during his best years.

Pitching Stats Overview

Lee played for several teams, but his best stretch came with the Los Angeles Angels between 1962 and 1964. He picked up 40 wins and 44 losses, for a .476 winning percentage. His 3.61 ERA looked pretty good for his era.

The right-hander appeared in 244 games, starting 97 of them and finishing 58. He completed 13 games and threw 4 shutouts in his career. As a reliever, he even managed 11 saves.

He struck out 467 batters in 828.1 innings. Lee allowed 827 hits and 281 walks, which led to a WHIP of 1.338. He gave up 81 home runs and hit 31 batters.

Lee’s standout year was 1962, when he went 11-11 with a 3.46 ERA across two teams. In 1964 with the Angels, he posted his lowest ERA at 2.72.

Advanced Metrics and Career Totals

Lee’s WAR (Wins Above Replacement) hit 7.7 for his career, so he offered real value. His best WAR seasons were 1960 (2.8) and 1962 (2.9), which marked his most impactful years.

His ERA+ of 105 means he was about five percent better than league average over his career. Lee’s FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 3.83 lined up closely with his ERA, showing defense didn’t skew his results much.

He faced 3,553 batters in total. His strikeout rate got better over time, peaking with a SO/BB ratio of 2.92 in 1964. Lee’s HR/9 rate of 0.9 was impressive for his time.

His H/9 of 9.0 and BB/9 of 3.1 show he kept things under control. Lee’s SO/9 of 5.1 was solid for that era.

Hitting Stats and Fielding Contributions

Lee didn’t do much at the plate, which was pretty typical for pitchers back then. His batting stats barely show up in the records, and honestly, nobody expected pitchers to hit during the 1950s and 1960s.

In the field, Lee helped his cause by limiting wild pitches and keeping runners honest. He threw 21 wild pitches over his career, which isn’t bad for his workload.

He never got called for a balk, so he clearly paid attention to his mechanics. Lee’s ability to hold runners and field his position added to his value as a pitcher.

He logged 828.1 innings over nine seasons, which says something about his durability. His 162-game average works out to 8-9 wins and a 3.61 ERA, showing a steady level of performance.

Legacy and Impact

Don Lee wrapped up his nine-year career quietly in 1966. Still, his journey through six different teams and his odd place in baseball history with the Ted Williams father-son homer story left a mark on the game. After retirement, Lee kept a low profile and stayed out of the spotlight.

Journeyman Reputation

Don Lee really fit the mold of a journeyman pitcher from the 1950s and 1960s. He suited up for six different clubs between 1957 and 1966.

He moved from the Detroit Tigers to the Washington Senators, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, and finally the Chicago Cubs. Players like Lee often moved around, filling in as reliable pitching depth.

His stats back up his steady role. Lee ended with a 40-44 record and a 3.61 ERA in 244 games. That 1962 season when he went 11-11 with a 3.46 ERA stands out.

Standing 6’4″ with a smooth delivery, he brought value to every team he joined. Teams liked that he could start or come out of the bullpen.

Influence on Baseball History

Lee’s most memorable moment in baseball history came thanks to Ted Williams and a quirky father-son connection. On September 2, 1960, Williams took Lee deep for a home run while playing for the Boston Red Sox.

That blast mattered because Williams had already homered off Lee’s father, Thornton Lee, back in 1939. Thornton pitched for the Chicago White Sox when Williams hit that one on September 17, 1939, during his rookie year.

Williams became the only player to homer off both a father and son in the majors. Nobody else has matched that.

This happened during a doubleheader between the Washington Senators and Red Sox. Lee was pitching for Washington, carrying on his family’s baseball legacy.

Post-Retirement Life

After Lee retired from baseball in 1966, he pretty much disappeared from the public eye. Instead of sticking around the sport like some former players do—coaching, broadcasting, all that—Lee went his own way.

He was born in Globe, Arizona, on February 26, 1934. In his later years, he kept things private.

Honestly, there’s not much out there about what Lee did after baseball. Details about his post-baseball life or any new career just aren’t easy to find.

The Baseball Almanac lists Lee as one of the National League players who retired in 1966. He played his final game on August 21, 1966, facing the Pittsburgh Pirates for the Chicago Cubs.

Lee’s quiet retirement fits with the times. Back then, players usually just went home to their communities, and the media didn’t really follow them around like they do now.