Dick Gernert – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dick Gernert wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1962, after the Houston Colt .45s let him go following just 10 games. That move marked the close of an 11-season run in Major League Baseball. At 33, Gernert had spent more than a decade bouncing around five teams, earning a reputation as a dependable power hitter with pretty solid defensive chops.

He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, back in 1928. Gernert became known as a patient hitter, someone who could work a count and send the ball flying out of the park. Sure, a .254 career batting average might not wow folks today, but his 103 home runs and 402 RBIs really tell the story of a steady middle-of-the-order bat during baseball’s golden years in the ’50s and early ’60s.

Gernert’s retirement story shows how tough pro baseball can get. Even seasoned vets sometimes just run out of chances. That last stint with Houston was his final shot after a journey that started as a bright prospect with the Boston Red Sox and ended as a journeyman player still looking for a way to help a team.

Key Career Highlights and Retirement in 1962

Dick Gernert played in the majors from 1952 to 1962. He started with the Boston Red Sox and finished with the Houston Colt .45s.

His career had some memorable moments, including a final season that brought his MLB days to a close.

Major League Debut and Final Game

Richard Edward Gernert broke into the majors on April 16, 1952, with the Boston Red Sox. The 6’3″ first baseman and outfielder from Reading, Pennsylvania, had signed as an amateur free agent with Boston in 1950.

Gernert’s rookie year was a good one. He knocked 19 home runs as a first-year player, making himself a real power threat for the Red Sox.

He played his last big league game on May 9, 1962, wearing a Houston Colt .45s uniform. Houston picked him in their first-ever draft, so both the team and Gernert started and ended something that season.

After just 10 games with Houston, Gernert’s major league career ended that May.

Career Milestones

Gernert put up strong numbers during his 11 years in the majors. He finished with a .254 batting average, 103 home runs, and 402 RBIs over 835 games.

His best season came in 1956, when he hit .291 with 16 homers and 68 RBIs in 106 games. He reached the 20-home run mark twice, in 1953 and 1958, showing he could bring the power.

He suited up for five different teams:

• Boston Red Sox (1952-1959)
• Chicago Cubs (1960)
• Detroit Tigers (1960-1961)
• Cincinnati Reds (1961)
• Houston Colt .45s (1962)

Gernert helped the Cincinnati Reds win the 1961 National League pennant, coming up big as a pinch-hitter. He batted .302 with seven RBIs in 63 at-bats down the stretch.

Retirement Decision and 1962 Season

The 1962 season turned out to be Gernert’s last in the majors. Houston picked him for his experience, hoping he’d guide their brand-new franchise.

But Gernert played in just 10 games for Houston before his big league days ended in May 1962. At 33, with less playing time, it was clear his opportunities were fading.

After leaving the majors, Gernert kept playing in the minors. He finished the 1962 season with the Tacoma Giants, hitting 20 home runs and batting .289.

He stuck around for two more years in the minors with the Reading Red Sox in 1963 and 1964. In those last seasons, he hit 24 home runs and posted a combined .277 average. His professional career, which started in 1950, ended in 1964 back in Pennsylvania.

Professional Playing Career

Dick Gernert played 11 seasons in MLB, from 1952 to 1962. He put together a .254 batting average, 103 home runs, and 402 RBIs in 835 games.

Most of his career happened with the Boston Red Sox, but he also played for the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, and Houston Colt .45s before calling it quits.

Boston Red Sox Years

Gernert debuted with the Boston Red Sox on April 16, 1952, and stuck around until 1959. He became a reliable first baseman and outfielder during those eight seasons in Boston.

The Red Sox signed him hoping his right-handed power swing would play well off Fenway’s Green Monster. And honestly, it did.

Throughout the ’50s, Gernert often split first-base duties with teammates like Vic Wertz, Norm Zauchin, and Mickey Vernon. That rotation meant he didn’t always play every day, but it gave him time to hone his approach.

His best season in Boston came in 1956, when he hit a career-high .291. He also hit 20 or more homers twice for the Sox, in 1953 and 1958.

Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers Era

On November 21, 1959, the Red Sox traded Gernert to the Chicago Cubs for Jim Marshall and Dave Hillman. This was the first interleague trade without waivers in MLB history, which is a neat bit of trivia.

He didn’t last long in Chicago—just part of the 1960 season. The Cubs then shipped him to the Detroit Tigers that same year.

Gernert stayed with Detroit through 1961, mostly playing first base and sometimes the outfield.

His numbers stayed pretty steady during these moves. Teams often traded veterans like him to fill gaps, so it wasn’t unusual to see him bounce around.

Cincinnati Reds and Houston Colt .45s Tenure

The Cincinnati Reds picked up Gernert in 1961. He played a key role as a pinch hitter and helped the Reds clinch the 1961 National League pennant.

But in the 1961 World Series against the Yankees, Gernert went 0-for-4 in pinch-hitting spots. The Reds lost in five games.

In 1962, the expansion Houston Colt .45s selected Gernert in their draft. That season turned out to be both Houston’s first and Gernert’s last in the big leagues.

He played just 10 games for Houston before stepping away in May 1962. His last MLB appearance came on May 9, 1962.

Across his career, Gernert posted a .351 on-base percentage and a .426 slugging percentage. He always found ways to get on base and hit for power, even as his role changed.

Playing Style and Position Insights

Dick Gernert made his mark as a versatile power hitter, mainly at first base but also in the outfield when needed. At 6’3″, with a right-handed swing, he fit perfectly at Fenway Park, where the Green Monster loomed invitingly.

First Baseman Profile

Gernert spent most of his career at first base. His size—6 feet 3 inches, 209 pounds—gave him the classic first baseman’s frame.

During his Red Sox years, he often shared first base with other guys. He competed for innings with Vic Wertz, Norm Zauchin, and Mickey Vernon.

He played solid defense at first, though he didn’t exactly win Gold Gloves. Offense was his calling card. The Red Sox liked having his right-handed power in the lineup.

Versatility as an Outfielder

Gernert didn’t just stick to first base. He also filled in at several outfield spots when teams needed him. Right field, left field, wherever there was an opening.

This versatility came in handy, especially later in his career. As he moved from team to team, being able to play different positions made him more valuable.

Managers liked being able to plug him into different lineup spots. That flexibility probably helped him stick around as a bench player in his final seasons.

Batting and Fielding Characteristics

Gernert’s hitting style was all about power from the right side. He finished with 103 home runs in 11 seasons, hitting 20 in both 1953 and 1958.

His .254 career batting average showed that he was more of a slugger than a contact hitter. Still, he hit .291 in 1956, so he could get hot.

Key Offensive Stats:

• Home runs: 103
• RBIs: 402
• Batting average: .254
• On-base percentage: .351

Boston signed him with Fenway’s dimensions in mind. His swing was built for launching balls off the Green Monster, and he took full advantage.

Statistical Achievements and Records

Dick Gernert put together a solid 11-year career, mostly known for his power numbers and steady production at first base. His 103 home runs stand out, but he also brought reliable offense throughout the ’50s and early ’60s.

Home Run Totals and Notable Performances

Gernert’s power defined his time in the majors. He finished with 103 home runs in 835 games, which averages out to about 20 homers per 162-game season.

His best power years came early with Boston. In 1952, as a rookie, he hit 19 homers in 102 games. He followed that with 21 home runs in 1953 over 139 games.

In 1958, he hit 20 homers in 122 games. His most productive year overall was 1956, with 16 home runs and a .291 average.

Gernert drove in 402 runs in his career. His best RBI years were 71 in 1953 and 69 in 1958.

Career Statistics Overview

Gernert kept a .254 career batting average across 2,896 plate appearances. He drew 363 walks and struck out 462 times, showing patience at the plate.

He posted a .351 on-base percentage, getting on base at a solid clip. His career OPS was .776, which is pretty respectable for that era.

Gernert’s best season came in 1956, when he hit .291 with an .883 OPS and a 122 OPS+—that’s 22% better than league average. Not too shabby for a guy who never quite became a household name.

Postseason Contributions

Gernert never got the chance to play in the postseason during his 11-year career. The Boston Red Sox missed the playoffs in all eight seasons he spent with them from 1952 to 1959.

His other teams didn’t make it either. The Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, and Houston Colt .45s all finished out of playoff contention during his short stays.

Even though he never reached the playoffs, Gernert kept up a steady performance in the regular season. In his 1952 rookie year, he got some attention in the MVP voting and finished 25th in the American League balloting.

That missing postseason experience left a small gap in what was otherwise a solid statistical run for Gernert.

Post-Playing Career and Contributions to Baseball

After he retired in 1962, Dick Gernert first stepped into education before heading back into baseball in a bunch of developmental roles. He managed minor league teams and worked as a scout, helping out with player development for over a decade after his playing days ended.

Minor League Management and Coaching

Gernert started off in education, teaching physical education at a junior high. He always believed in the value of education, and he talked about it a lot during his baseball career.

By the April after his retirement, Gernert accepted a scouting position with the Cincinnati Reds. Since he had played first base and outfield in the majors, he knew what to look for when evaluating talent.

In 1969, Gernert took on a managerial role with the Wytheville Senators, Washington’s affiliate in the rookie-level Appalachian League. Managing at that level let him work with young players just starting out.

Moving from player to teacher to manager really showed his commitment to developing others. Blending his baseball experience with his education background, he seemed pretty well-suited to mentor young ballplayers.

Scouting and Front Office Roles

Gernert scouted for the Cincinnati Reds from 1963 to 1969. He spent those years looking for and evaluating amateur talent for the team.

As a scout, Gernert leaned on his 11 seasons of major league experience. He understood what it took to make it in the big leagues, and that perspective helped him judge prospects more accurately.

He worked with the Reds during a strong stretch for the franchise. The team had just won the National League pennant in 1961, which happened to be the same year Gernert played for them as a reserve.

Influence with the Texas Rangers

There’s no clear info about Dick Gernert working with the Texas Rangers organization. His post-playing career focused on education, scouting for the Cincinnati Reds, and managing the Wytheville Senators in Washington’s organization.

Gernert stayed involved in professional baseball through 1969, managing in the Appalachian League. After retiring from playing in 1962, he spent over 11 years teaching while also helping with baseball development.

His time in professional baseball stretched across 15 active seasons from 1950 to 1964. That includes both his major league career and his minor league work after stepping away from the MLB.

Personal Life and Legacy

Richard Edward Gernert built his life around education and baseball, both during and after his pro career. He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, earned a bachelor’s degree from Temple University, and spent more than 11 years teaching after he left baseball.

Early Life and Education

Richard Edward Gernert was born on September 28, 1928, in Reading, Pennsylvania. His parents, Edward and Evelyn, worked in the full-fashion hosiery business.

Edward knitted women’s stockings, and Evelyn paired them up. Richard was their only child, growing up in what Reading called “Baseballtown.”

Gernert played several sports at Northeast Junior High and Reading High School. He excelled in football, basketball, and baseball.

He won the John Smith Memorial Award as his school’s top athlete. He also played for the Gregg Post American Legion team, which took the Pennsylvania State Championship in 1944.

After high school graduation in 1947, Gernert got a basketball scholarship to Temple University. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he played basketball, football, and baseball for Temple.

During college, he played summer baseball in Nova Scotia for the Kentville Wildcats. He hit .368 over two summers there and became something of a local sports hero.

Gernert earned his bachelor of education degree from Temple University in 1954. Education stayed important to him, and he often talked about its value in public.

Honors and Recognition

Gernert picked up recognition for his athletic achievements and his defensive skills. In 1958, he led American League first basemen in several defensive categories.

That season, he recorded 1,101 putouts, 93 assists, and 118 double plays. His career fielding percentage of .990 showed his defensive excellence.

In 1952, Gernert got six votes for the American League Most Valuable Player award. He hit 19 home runs that year for a sixth-place Red Sox team.

His 1953 season had him tied for seventh in the league with 21 home runs, matching Mickey Mantle. He also ranked fourth in walks with 88 that year.

Gernert won the Pennsylvania State Championship with his American Legion team in 1944. That early success helped set his reputation as a skilled player.

The Lowell Sun called him one of the most improved hitters in the American League by August 1956. That recognition came after he bounced back strong from hepatitis.

Legacy in Baseball History

Dick Gernert played in the Major Leagues for 11 seasons, from 1952 to 1962, moving between five different teams. He hit .254 over his career and showed up in 1,050 games.

Most fans probably remember his 1961 season with the Cincinnati Reds. That year, the Reds made it all the way to the World Series, but the Yankees took them down in five games.

After he hung up his cleats in 1962, Gernert decided to teach school for more than 11 years. He used his education degree and baseball know-how to really make an impact on young people.

On Christmas Eve in 1955, Gernert married Patricia Turner. He was still recovering from hepatitis at the time, which had really thrown off his 1954 and 1955 seasons.

He spent 15 total seasons in professional baseball if you count his time in the minors. In the minor leagues, he played 765 games, hit .285, and knocked out 102 home runs.

Richard Edward Gernert died on November 30, 2017, at age 89. He belonged to that era when players often switched teams and found ways to balance baseball with teaching and education.