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

Don Ferrarese made his mark in baseball history during a seven-year Major League career from 1955 to 1962. This left-handed pitcher from Oakland, California played for five different teams. He built a reputation for his nasty curveball and his ability to neutralize left-handed hitters. Don Ferrarese officially retired from professional baseball in 1962 after the Houston Colt .45s traded for him, but instead, he went home to help his parents run their family deli in Apple Valley, California.

He stood just 5’9″ and weighed 170 pounds, which was definitely not the usual build for a power pitcher. His journey took him from the Baltimore Orioles to the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Throughout his career, he racked up 350 strikeouts and kept legends like Stan Musial and Ted Williams in check with low batting averages.

Ferrarese’s story goes beyond just stats and games. He crossed paths with baseball icons like Babe Ruth, came close to no-hitters against the Yankees, and later found success as a business owner. His path—from promising amateur to major leaguer to community leader—offers a glimpse into the golden age of baseball and the choices players faced after hanging up their cleats.

Early Life and Amateur Achievements

Donald Hugh Ferrarese was born on June 19, 1929, in Oakland, California. His love for baseball started with his very first glove.

His amateur career peaked when he earned America’s high school MVP honors in 1947 and received the Lou Gehrig Award.

Family Background and Childhood in Oakland

Don came into the world in Oakland, California, on June 19, 1929. Growing up in the East Bay during the Great Depression, he found himself drawn to baseball almost from the start.

“I never wanted to be a firefighter, police or anything else. I loved baseball and knew I wanted to play,” Ferrarese later said. His family saw that passion in him early on.

The first gift he ever got? A baseball glove. Back then, everyone called them “mitts,” and that simple mitt became the start of everything for him.

Baseball shaped his childhood. While other kids tried different hobbies, Don just kept chasing his dream. He spent hours on Oakland’s sandlots and neighborhood fields, practicing and getting better.

Acalanes High School Years and East Bay All-Stars

Don attended Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California. That’s where his baseball skills really started to shine.

High school gave him his first taste of organized, competitive baseball. Scouts and coaches across the East Bay noticed his pitching talent and competitive drive.

The East Bay All-Stars picked him to represent the region in top amateur competitions. That was his first real step beyond his local community.

His time at Acalanes laid the foundation for what came next. Teachers and coaches saw not just his athletic ability, but his dedication to the game.

Hearst Sandlot Championship and Lou Gehrig Award

Don’s amateur career hit its peak in 1947. He earned national recognition as America’s high school MVP, which was a huge deal at the time.

He also received the Lou Gehrig Award that year. This honor recognized his performance and his character—on and off the field.

He played in the Hearst Sandlot Championship, a tournament that brought together the country’s best young players. Don proved he belonged at that level.

These achievements put him on the radar for college scouts and pro teams. People started to see the lefty from California as one of the top amateur players in the nation.

St. Mary’s College and Early Baseball Promise

After high school, Don went to St. Mary’s College to keep developing as a ballplayer. The college program pushed him with tougher competition and better coaching.

At St. Mary’s, he worked on his pitching mechanics and deepened his understanding of the game. The coaches there helped him get ready for a shot at pro baseball.

Scouts kept noticing his left-handed pitching. His college performance just kept reinforcing the idea that he might have what it takes for the big leagues.

With his high school success and college development, Don became an attractive prospect. Soon, he’d get his shot at the majors in 1955.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Don Ferrarese pitched for five MLB teams over his eight-year career from 1955 to 1962. He started with the Baltimore Orioles, then moved on to Cleveland, Chicago, Philadelphia, and finished with St. Louis.

MLB Debut with the Baltimore Orioles

Don made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 1955. The White Sox had bought his contract for $30,000 before trading him to Baltimore.

At 5’9″ and 170 pounds, teammates gave him the nickname “Midget” because he was smaller than most pitchers. His early career had promise, but he struggled with control.

After six relief appearances, he went to the San Antonio Missions and dominated there with a 9-0 record and a 1.48 ERA.

One of his best moments happened in 1956 at Yankee Stadium. He threw eight no-hit innings against the Yankees and finished with a 1-0 shutout, even striking out Mickey Mantle with runners on base.

In his first MLB start, he struck out 13 against Cleveland, but the Orioles lost 2-1. Chuck Dressen had helped him develop his curveball and control back in Oakland.

Pitching for the Cleveland Indians

The Orioles traded Don to the Cleveland Indians for Dick Williams in April 1958. His time in Cleveland had ups and downs, but he did have some memorable games.

He once pitched 11 scoreless innings against Baltimore, only to lose 1-0 in the 12th after walking Dick Williams with the bases loaded. That had to sting.

On May 26, 1959, against the Chicago White Sox, Don had a day to remember. He hit three doubles in a row and pitched 6.1 scoreless innings for a 3-0 win. He drove in two runs and scored the third himself.

Shoulder inflammation hit him in June 1959, cutting his Cleveland run short. The injury lowered his velocity for the rest of his career.

Time with the Chicago White Sox

After the 1959 season, Cleveland sent him to the Chicago White Sox. That nagging shoulder injury from his Indians days kept bothering him.

The White Sox moved him to the minors so he could work on his mechanics and try to recover. With less velocity, he had to rely more on control and mixing up his pitches.

Despite his physical setbacks, Don adjusted his pitching style. He improved his command, which paid off later in his career.

His stint with the White Sox was short and not very successful. Even after his shoulder healed, he realized he needed to pitch differently than before.

Years with Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals

The Philadelphia Phillies picked up Don in April 1961. He found new life there as both a starter and reliever, posting a 3.76 ERA for a team that lost 107 games—including a brutal 23-game losing streak.

His control improved, and that helped make up for his lost velocity. Don made 42 appearances, starting 14 games, and became one of the Phillies’ few reliable arms during a rough season.

The St. Louis Cardinals traded for Don early in 1962, using him as a left-handed specialist. Between May 13 and June 12, he made nine relief appearances, pitching 12.2 innings without giving up a run.

Career Statistics with St. Louis:

• Left-handed batters hit .195 against him
• Career average against lefties: .214
• Stan Musial: 1-for-11 (.091)
• Ted Williams: 1-for-7 (.143)

Don hit his only career home run as a Cardinal against the Phillies. The Cardinals traded him to Houston in February 1963, but he decided to retire and help run his family’s deli instead.

Career Highlights and Notable Performances

Don Ferrarese’s eight-year MLB run had some real standout moments. He nearly threw a no-hitter against the Yankees and pulled off a rare offensive feat that put him in elite company.

Key Games and Milestones

Don’s best performance probably came on May 12, 1956, when he held the Yankees hitless for eight innings. Andy Carey broke it up with a single in the ninth, but Don still finished with a two-hit shutout.

Just a week earlier, on May 5, 1956, Don struck out 13 batters in a game—even though the Orioles lost. That game showed just how much swing-and-miss stuff he had with Baltimore.

On May 26, 1959, pitching for Cleveland against the White Sox, Don did something wild at the plate: he hit three consecutive doubles in his three at-bats. Only Walter Johnson and Babe Ruth had ever done that before him in the American League.

No pitcher has matched that feat since. On the mound that day, he threw 6⅓ shutout innings and allowed just three hits.

Memorable Trades and Team Changes

Don bounced around a lot in his career, suiting up for five different teams. He started with the Baltimore Orioles (1955-1957), then moved to Cleveland (1958-1959).

Next came the Chicago White Sox in 1960, followed by the Philadelphia Phillies (1961-1962). He wrapped up his final season between Philadelphia and the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962.

In February 1963, the Cardinals traded Don to Houston for pitcher Bobby Tiefenauer. Don didn’t report to his new team, though—he chose retirement and went home to help his parents run Hugo’s Deli in Apple Valley, California.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Don worked both as a starter and a reliever throughout his career. His best year as a reliever came in 1962, his last season, when he posted a combined 3.27 ERA in over 63 innings.

He pitched especially well for St. Louis, notching a 2.70 ERA as a Cardinal. That late-career success proved he could adapt to a relief role.

At just 5’9″ and 170 pounds, Don earned the nickname “Midget.” Despite his size, he managed 350 strikeouts in his eight years.

Noteworthy Teammates and Opponents

While with Cleveland, Don played alongside future Hall of Famers Larry Doby and Gene Woodling. He also shared the clubhouse with veterans like Minnie Minoso.

His Baltimore stint put him on teams with Dick Williams, who later became a big-name manager. Don also worked with catchers like Clint Courtney and Johnny Romano during his years with the Orioles and Indians.

Facing opposing hitters, Don had particular success against Julian Javier of the Cardinals, holding him hitless in 15 at-bats. That’s pretty impressive, considering Javier hit .299 against lefties for his career.

His near no-hitter came against a stacked Yankees lineup full of stars.

Life After MLB and Community Involvement

Don Ferrarese moved to Apple Valley, California in 1963. There, he built a successful restaurant business and got deeply involved in youth coaching.

His life after baseball focused on community service through the Ferrarese Foundation, which awarded college scholarships to deserving students.

Transition to Apple Valley and Local Business

After the February 1963 trade to Houston, Don decided to retire from pro baseball. He went home to Apple Valley, California, to help his parents run Hugo’s Deli.

That kicked off his next career in the restaurant business. Don worked with his parents for over a decade, learning the ropes of food service.

When his parents retired in 1974, Don took over the family business. He expanded by opening Ferrarese’s Ristorante in nearby Victorville, California.

Later, he ran another spot called Hugo’s in Apple Valley. These restaurants turned into local favorites in the High Desert community.

Don didn’t stop there. He also ran a commercial real estate company, which helped him stay financially secure and connected to his Apple Valley roots.

Coaching in Victor Valley and Apple Valley

Ferrarese jumped right into youth baseball coaching all over the Victor Valley region. He always focused on teaching the basics, but did it with patience and genuine care.

“I’m going to teach them with love,” he once said, summing up his approach. Ferrarese really believed in nurturing young players, not tearing them down with harsh words.

He didn’t just care about baseball skills. Ferrarese put a lot of energy into helping kids build character and understand what teamwork and dedication really mean.

He worked with several youth leagues in Victor Valley and Apple Valley. Local players got to learn from his pro experience and his calm, gentle way of teaching.

Even with his Major League Baseball background, Ferrarese stayed humble. He never let his own career take the spotlight away from his commitment to helping local kids grow.

Philanthropy and the Ferrarese Foundation

The Ferrarese Foundation stands out as Don Ferrarese’s biggest gift to his community. Through this organization, he made sure college scholarships reached deserving students in the High Desert area.

The foundation didn’t just look at grades. Instead, it focused on students who had given back to their communities.

Ferrarese wanted to reward service, not just academic achievement. This approach matched his own values about helping others.

Thanks to these scholarships, many local students got the chance to pursue college. The foundation supported students from all sorts of backgrounds across the Victor Valley.

Ferrarese’s philanthropy stretched his positive influence well beyond baseball. The scholarship program kept making a difference for young people long after he left the major leagues.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Impact

Don Ferrarese built a life after baseball that revolved around family, service, and helping kids. Through the Don Ferrarese Foundation, he made a real impact, touching hundreds of lives. His values of service and compassion shaped how he approached business and mentorship.

Personal Values and Philosophy

Donald Hugh Ferrarese always put family first. He married Betty Jean Olsen on November 10, 1950, just three months after meeting her—and after only one date. Their marriage lasted 69 years, ending when Betty passed away in 2019. When Don died in 2024, family members said he was “reunited with his late bride.”

Ferrarese felt strongly about giving back to his community. After he settled in Apple Valley in 1963, he wore a lot of hats—businessman, coach, philanthropist. He launched Hugo’s Deli and later ran other restaurants in the area.

He brought his “teach with love” philosophy to mentoring kids. That spirit guided his involvement in Little League and youth sports programs during his retirement.

Serving in the military during the Korean War from 1951 to 1952 shaped his character. He missed two full baseball seasons to serve, showing the sense of duty that would define his later work.

Recognition and Honors

Ferrarese’s charitable work earned him a lot of recognition across Southern California. With his friend Jack Fales, he hosted over 100 charitable wine auctions, raising more than $1 million for different causes.

His baseball achievements weren’t too shabby either:

• Struck out 13 batters in one game on May 5, 1956
• Nearly threw a no-hitter on May 12, 1956, holding the Yankees hitless through eight innings
• Caught the ceremonial 10-millionth baseball thrown by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1957
• Shared a hitting record with Babe Ruth as one of the few pitchers to hit three doubles in a row

Apple Valley Mayor Scott Nassif called Ferrarese “a big inspiration and example” who really got involved in the local business scene. The mayor said Ferrarese personally helped with business and property management issues.

Enduring Influence on Youth and Community

The Don Ferrarese Charitable Foundation stands as his most lasting legacy. The foundation awarded scholarships to nearly 150 students focused on community service, handing out over half a million dollars in support.

Ferrarese didn’t just help kids financially. He kept coaching baseball and stayed active in Little League for decades after his playing days. His hands-on style shaped young athletes’ character and values.

His businesses—Hugo’s Deli and later restaurants—made him a familiar face in Apple Valley. Locals knew him not just as a former major leaguer, but as someone who truly cared about the town.

Even after he moved to Colorado to be closer to family, Ferrarese kept the foundation running. Its website is still up, making sure his commitment to helping young people and encouraging service keeps going.

Net Worth and Financial Information

Don Ferrarese built up modest wealth during his eight years in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1962. His estimated net worth of $3 million comes from his playing days and later business ventures.

Career Earnings from Baseball

Ferrarese’s baseball earnings were pretty typical for his time, when salaries lagged far behind today’s numbers. As a left-handed pitcher who suited up for five teams, he earned modest wages.

He played eight seasons for the Orioles, Indians, White Sox, Phillies, and Cardinals. Back then, the average MLB salary ranged from $12,000 to $19,000 a year.

Ferrarese finished his career with 19 wins and 36 losses over 184 games. Since he mostly pitched in relief, he probably earned at the lower end of the salary scale.

Baseball gave him a financial foundation for his later business moves. But like many players from his era, Ferrarese needed other income after hanging up his glove.

Business Ventures Post-Retirement

After he retired in 1962, Ferrarese jumped into different business ventures to supplement his baseball income. These efforts helped him build up his estimated $3 million net worth over the years.

He got involved with Hugo’s Deli, a steady business that supported him during retirement. The deli became one of his most successful investments outside of baseball.

Ferrarese didn’t stop there. He made other strategic investments that grew his wealth, though he kept the details private.

His mix of a baseball pension and business income gave him financial stability throughout retirement. Honestly, his approach to life after baseball set an example for other players from his generation.

Charitable Contributions

Ferrarese set up the Ferrarese Foundation because he wanted to give back to the community. He genuinely believed he could use his baseball career to help people.

His charitable work really zeroed in on youth development and baseball programs. Ferrarese often talked about teaching young people “with love,” and that idea shaped everything he did with the foundation.

He supported local baseball leagues and educational programs through the foundation. Ferrarese liked to get involved directly, showing everyone he truly cared about making a difference.

His donations made up a big part of his financial legacy. Even after his playing days ended, the foundation still carries on his values and dedication to helping others.