Johnny Schaive – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Johnny Schaive wrapped up his Major League Baseball career on April 19, 1963, playing for the Washington Senators. That game marked the end of a five-season run in the majors, which started back in 1958.

Born in Springfield, Illinois, Schaive mainly filled in as a backup infielder. He handled both second and third base whenever the team needed him.

Schaive spent 14 years in professional baseball, taking on roles as a player, manager, coach, and scout. His major league career ended when he was just 29. Even though he didn’t get a ton of playing time at the top level—he played only 114 games—he still managed a .232 batting average, hit seven home runs, and drove in 32 runs. That flexibility kept him useful for his clubs.

His story really highlights the challenges faced by a lot of players back then. Military service interrupted some careers, and competition for roster spots was always intense.

Schaive signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1952 and finished up with the expansion Washington Senators. His career gives a glimpse into what it’s like for a journeyman player who found ways to stay in the game—on the field and off.

Early Life and Background

Johnny Schaive was born on February 25, 1934, in Springfield, Illinois. That’s where he first fell in love with baseball.

Growing up on Springfield’s north end, he rooted for the New York Yankees. Oddly enough, his favorite player was Ted Williams from the Boston Red Sox.

Springfield Roots and Family

Johnny spent his childhood in Springfield’s north end. He was born John Edward Schaive and grew up in a family that encouraged his early love for baseball.

As a kid, he kept up with the Yankees, but Ted Williams was the guy he really admired. That little twist turned out to matter later—Schaive made his major league debut at Fenway Park in 1958.

Springfield always held a special place in his life. The city eventually honored him as a founding father of the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame. He became a charter member in 1991, which was a pretty big deal for local sports.

Education and Early Baseball Years

Schaive went to Lanphier High School in Springfield. There, he played baseball and started to stand out as an infielder.

Professional scouts noticed his talent while he was still in high school. In 1952, when he was 18, he signed his first pro contract with the Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox released him before he could move up in their system. After Chicago let him go, Schaive found a spot with the Washington Senators organization.

He worked hard and became a standout in the minors. In 1955, he led Class D baseball in four different offensive categories.

That performance got him an invite to spring training with the big league club in 1956.

Professional Baseball Career

Johnny Schaive’s time in pro baseball stretched from 1952 to 1963. He started with the Chicago White Sox and finished with five seasons as a backup infielder for the Washington Senators.

His journey included some impressive minor league achievements and steady work in the American League.

Chicago White Sox Signing and Minor Leagues

Schaive signed with the White Sox at 18 and jumped into their minor league system. He quickly made a name for himself as a good hitter in the lower levels.

His breakout came in 1955. That year, he led the Class D Pennsylvania–Ontario–New York League (PONY League) in four offensive stats. The White Sox invited him to major league spring training the next season.

Then, military service interrupted his career for two seasons. When he came back, his skills had slipped a bit from being away from the game.

The White Sox decided to release him after seeing he wasn’t quite the same player. Still, Schaive had impressive minor league statistics. He hit .291 over more than 1,100 games and managed a .293 average at Double-A.

Washington Senators MLB Debut

Schaive made his Major League Baseball debut on September 19, 1958, with the original Washington Senators at age 24.

He played three seasons with this franchise from 1958 through 1960, filling in at second and third base. Schaive stood 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 175 pounds. He batted and threw right-handed, pretty typical for a utility infielder back then.

After the original Senators moved, Schaive joined the expansion Washington Senators in 1962. He played his last two MLB seasons with the new team through 1963.

His last major league game came on April 19, 1963, against the New York Yankees. That game closed out his five-season American League career.

Key American League Performances

Schaive put up a .232 batting average in 114 MLB games, collecting 75 hits in 323 at-bats. He hit seven home runs, drove in 32 runs, and scored 25 times for the Senators.

His offensive line included 18 doubles and one triple. He never swiped a base in the majors, which isn’t too surprising for a backup infielder.

Besides playing, Schaive managed the York White Roses of the Eastern League from late May to September 1963. That Double-A affiliate of the expansion Senators gave him valuable leadership experience.

Schaive’s minor league numbers were a lot better than his major league stats. He really showed what he could do at the lower levels throughout his long baseball career.

Major League Highlights and Statistics

Johnny Schaive finished his MLB career with a .232 batting average, 6 home runs, and 32 RBIs over 114 games. His best year came in 1962, when he played 82 games and posted a WAR of 0.6.

Notable Seasons and Teams

Schaive spent his whole major league career with the Washington Senators organization from 1958 to 1963. He debuted on September 19, 1958, at age 24 against the Boston Red Sox.

His breakout season was 1962. That year, he played 82 games for the Senators and had 57 hits in 225 at-bats for a .253 average.

The 1962 season was his best statistically. He posted a .409 slugging percentage and drove in 29 runs. His WAR of 0.6 that year was his career high.

After 1962, his playing time dropped off. He appeared in just 3 games during 1963, going 0-for-3 at the plate. That was the end of his major league days.

Batting and Fielding Achievements

Schaive racked up 75 hits over five years, with 18 doubles and one triple among them. His best batting average came in 1958 and 1960, when he hit .250 in limited action.

Defensively, he showed versatility. At second base, he posted a .980 fielding percentage over four seasons. As a third baseman in 1962, he managed a .967 fielding percentage.

Schaive’s range factor at third base was 3.25 per nine innings, a bit above the league average of 3.08. His defensive contributions helped make up for some of his offensive shortcomings.

He committed 8 errors in 653 total innings of fielding during his career. Schaive also turned 24 double plays, showing he could handle the basics when needed.

Home Runs and RBI Contributions

Schaive hit 6 home runs in his major league career, all during the 1962 season. That year was the only time he really displayed much offensive production.

He picked up 32 career RBIs, with 29 of those coming in 1962. That really shows how few chances he got in other seasons.

His .409 slugging percentage in 1962 was his career best. Overall, his career slugging percentage was .350, which isn’t exactly a power hitter’s line. He totaled 113 bases during his five years.

Schaive never stole a base in the majors, going 0-for-1 on attempts. Speed just wasn’t his thing.

Role as a Third Baseman

In 1962, Schaive played 49 games at third base, which became his main defensive spot that year. He started 47 games at third and finished 43 of them.

That season, he had 42 putouts and 105 assists in 407 innings. He made 5 errors at third, ending up with a .967 fielding percentage. That was just above the league average of .952 for third basemen.

Switching to third base was a change from his earlier role as a second baseman. Between 1958 and 1960, he played 26 games at second base and had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 1958.

His WAR of 0.6 in 1962 marked his most valuable season, thanks mostly to his play at third. The defensive numbers showed he provided above-average range with a 3.25 range factor per nine innings.

Gaps and Transitions in Playing Career

Johnny Schaive’s baseball journey included a big interruption for military service, along with a few key moves between major and minor league teams. Those transitions shaped his path and influenced his growth as a player.

Military Service and its Impact

Schaive’s promising baseball career took a big hit when he spent two seasons in the military. That break came right when he was trying to develop as a pro.

Later Career, Retirement, and Legacy

After his major league career ended in 1963, Johnny Schaive took on player-manager roles and got deeply involved in Springfield’s baseball scene. He spent years coaching and helped develop local talent.

Player-Manager and International Play

After leaving Major League Baseball, Schaive kept playing and managing in the minors. He served as a player-manager for the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern Association in 1956, and again from 1958 to 1959.

His minor league career went better than his major league stint. Schaive put together a .291 batting average across more than 1,100 minor league games, including a .293 average at Class AA.

In 1963, his last year as a player, Schaive joined the York White Roses of the Eastern League. He managed a 2-1 record as a pitcher in eight games while still playing infield.

Being both a player and manager gave him valuable insight into developing talent. That experience came in handy in his later coaching roles.

Coaching with the Springfield Caps

Schaive returned home to Springfield and coached the Springfield Caps. The team played in the Central Illinois Collegiate League, giving college players a chance to sharpen their skills.

His coaching philosophy focused on fundamentals and hard work. That pretty much matched his own journey from backup infielder to respected baseball mind.

The Springfield Caps became a launching pad for many players under Schaive’s watch. His major league background gave him credibility and practical advice that college players appreciated.

Contribution to Local Baseball

Schaive’s influence in Springfield baseball went beyond coaching. He worked with programs at Sangamon State University to help baseball grow in central Illinois.

His dedication to local baseball earned him a spot in the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame. That honor recognized his contributions as both a player and mentor.

Schaive stayed active in Springfield’s baseball scene until he passed away on May 11, 2009. His legacy lives on through the players he coached and the programs he helped build.

Recognition and Community Impact

Johnny Schaive left a mark that went way beyond his years on the field. Folks in Springfield still talk about how he shaped the city’s sports scene and mentored young athletes who looked up to him.

He poured his heart into local baseball and helped put together the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame. That recognition really locked in his place as one of Illinois sports’ most respected names.

Induction into Springfield Sports Hall of Fame

Back in 1991, Johnny Schaive landed a spot as a charter member of the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame. He didn’t just join—he actually helped get the whole thing off the ground, making sure Springfield’s athletic achievements would be remembered.

His induction wasn’t just about his big-league stats. People wanted to honor both his MLB career and everything he’d done for sports around Springfield.

The Hall of Fame highlighted his five seasons in the majors from 1958 to 1963, when he played for the Washington Senators organization. That was a pretty big deal for the local community.

As one of the founders, Schaive showed how much he cared about keeping Springfield’s sports history alive. He wanted to make sure future local athletes got their due, no matter what level they reached.

Mentorship and Scouting

After hanging up his cleats, Schaive just couldn’t walk away from the game. He stayed closely involved, always looking for ways to help young talent get noticed.

He acted as an unofficial area scout, tapping into his baseball network to help local players land professional contracts. It wasn’t some official title, but he made things happen.

Several Springfield-area athletes benefited from his efforts. Schaive played a big part in getting Roger Erickson and Mike Mathiot signed with the Minnesota Twins.

He also helped Jerry Fry and Loren White join the Montreal Expos. Schaive’s influence didn’t stop there.

Dan Callahan signed with the San Diego Padres, Myron Hunter went to the Chicago Cubs, and Bill Lamkey joined the Minnesota Twins, all thanks in part to Schaive’s guidance. His reputation and connections really opened doors for these guys trying to make it in pro baseball.

Influence on Local Athletes

Schaive shaped Springfield’s baseball community in a big way through his coaching career. In the 1970s, he led the Springfield Caps of the Central Illinois Collegiate League and gave college-aged players hands-on, high-level instruction.

When Sangamon State University kicked off its baseball program, Schaive jumped in as the team’s coach. His major league background brought real credibility and practical know-how, helping lay the groundwork for collegiate baseball in Springfield.

He didn’t just stick to official coaching gigs. Schaive often showed up at local games and freely shared advice with young players. That kind of generosity left a real mark on Springfield’s baseball culture.

He talked about his passion for the game, saying he woke up “every day knowing I was a ballplayer.” That attitude inspired a lot of local athletes to chase their own baseball dreams.