Earl Torgeson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Earl Torgeson, often called “The Earl of Snohomish,” built a pretty remarkable 15-year career in Major League Baseball, stretching from 1947 to 1961. This tall, bespectacled first baseman from Snohomish, Washington, bounced around five different teams—Boston Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees.

He started out in a small lumber mill town and somehow found himself on baseball’s biggest stages. That journey? It’s honestly one of the more colorful stories from mid-20th century baseball.

Torgeson wrapped up his pro baseball run in 1961 with the Yankees, finishing a career that included spots in the 1948 and 1959 World Series. He played a solid first base and, maybe surprisingly, ran the bases with real speed and a fierce competitive edge.

His career numbers—.265 batting average, 149 home runs, 740 RBIs—only tell part of his story. He brought intensity and character to every clubhouse he entered.

But Torgeson’s legacy isn’t just about stats. He got involved with early efforts for what became the Jimmy Fund and later served as a Snohomish County commissioner. His story has all the highs and lows you’d expect, from rookie days to veteran leadership, but he never lost those small-town Pacific Northwest values.

Early Life and Education

Clifford Earl Torgeson was born January 1, 1924, in Snohomish, Washington. His parents came from pretty different backgrounds.

Earl’s baseball skills started showing up early at Snohomish High School. He played there for two years before signing his first pro contract.

Family Background in Snohomish

Earl’s parents, Melvin Carl Torgeson and Helen Kornelia Gray, came from different cultures. Melvin worked as a carpenter and had Norwegian roots. Helen brought English and Native American ancestry into the mix.

They split up when Earl was little. Both parents stuck around Snohomish and stayed involved in his life.

Earl spent time living with each parent as he grew up. Helen, who was known for her fun-loving spirit, married Harold King, and together they ran an appliance store in town.

Melvin remarried too, to Clara Morris, and he built a lot of the lovely homes around Snohomish.

Growing up, Earl idolized Earl Averill, the original “Earl of Snohomish.” Averill played center field for the Cleveland Indians, and young Earl followed him around town, even peeking through the barber shop window to watch him get a haircut.

Snohomish High School Baseball Career

Earl first played baseball on Averill Field, just a short walk from home. He played as much as he could, and even though he needed glasses, he also managed to stand out in basketball with older boys.

His baseball skills were so impressive that folks in town actually petitioned the school board to keep him off the football team, worried he might get hurt. He played just two varsity games before they pulled him from the gridiron.

Earl played two years of high school baseball at Snohomish High. His talent was obvious, and it opened doors beyond school sports.

After high school, he played a year of American Legion ball and then a few years of semipro baseball in the area.

In 1941, at 17, Earl signed with the Seattle Rainiers after scout George Hokum encouraged him. That was the start of his pro baseball path, right after finishing up at Snohomish High.

Professional Baseball Career Highlights

Earl Torgeson’s major league career ran from 1947 to 1961. He had some standout years with the Boston Braves, even hitting .389 in the 1948 World Series. He also contributed to championship teams with the White Sox and Yankees.

Major League Debut and Early Success

Torgeson broke into the majors with the Boston Braves in 1947, after serving in World War II. At 23, the rookie from Snohomish made an immediate impact, even though he started slow.

He struggled in his first series in Brooklyn, and Braves president Lou Perini had to talk manager Billy Southworth out of benching him. Torgeson bounced back—he drove in 36 runs in his first 30 games.

His rookie stats looked great: .285 average, 16 home runs, 82 walks. That 16-homer total was a huge jump from his minor league numbers, where he only hit 10 over three seasons.

Torgeson’s speed set him apart from other first basemen. Tigers coach Bill Sweeney once called him “the fastest man in the National League” after seeing him in the Pacific Coast League.

Key Stints with Boston Braves

The Braves years were probably Torgeson’s most memorable in the majors. In 1948, he helped the team reach the World Series against the Cleveland Indians.

He hit just .253 that regular season, but when it counted, he came through. He started five of six World Series games and went 7-for-18 for a .389 average, tops among regulars on both teams.

Key 1948 Stats:

• 81 walks (4th in NL)
• 19 stolen bases (5th in NL)
• 3 doubles in the World Series

In 1949, injuries cut his season short. He separated his left shoulder in May trying to break up a double play with Jackie Robinson. Then in August, a broken thumb from an altercation ended his year after only 25 games.

That shoulder injury forced him to switch his throwing motion from overhand to sidearm. Oddly enough, that change actually improved his defense at first base.

Performance with Chicago White Sox

Torgeson later played for the Chicago White Sox, helping them win the 1959 American League pennant. The White Sox gave him another shot at postseason baseball.

He appeared in the 1959 World Series against the Dodgers, marking his second time on baseball’s biggest stage—11 years after his Braves run.

With the White Sox, Torgeson took on more of a veteran role. His experience and leadership helped push the team during their championship chase.

Final Season and Retirement with Yankees

The 1961 season turned out to be Torgeson’s last. After the White Sox released him, he signed with the Yankees as a player-coach for the final month.

He played his last game on August 23, 1961, against the Los Angeles Angels. He had one at-bat and didn’t get a hit, but the Yankees went on to win the World Series that year, so he got a championship ring to finish his career.

Career Totals (1947-1961):

• 1,668 games
• .265 average
• 149 home runs
• 740 RBI

His player-coach role with the Yankees showed the respect he earned over the years. Ending his career with the Yankees, the sport’s most storied franchise, felt like a fitting close.

Notable Career Achievements and Statistics

Earl Torgeson put up solid numbers over 15 seasons, especially that .389 batting average in the 1948 World Series. He collected 1,318 hits and 149 home runs, making him a reliable bat for five different big league teams.

World Series Appearances and Highlights

Torgeson’s best postseason came with the Boston Braves in the 1948 World Series against Cleveland. He started five of six games, only sitting for one against lefty Gene Bearden.

He racked up seven hits in 18 at-bats for a .389 average, leading all regulars. He also hit three doubles batting third in the lineup.

He returned to the World Series in 1959 with the Chicago White Sox, his second and last postseason trip before retiring in 1961.

Career Batting and RBI Records

Across 1,668 games, Torgeson kept up a .265 average and steady production. He hit 149 home runs, which was maybe less than some expected for a guy his size.

He drove in 740 RBIs and scored 848 runs over 15 seasons. His patience at the plate paid off—he drew 81 walks in 1948, ranking fourth in the NL.

Even as a first baseman, he showed surprising speed. In 1948, he stole 19 bases, good for fifth in the league.

Role as First Baseman

Torgeson became known as a skilled defensive first baseman. That 1949 shoulder injury forced him to switch to a sidearm throw, which actually helped his play around the bag.

He suited up for the Boston Braves, Phillies, Tigers, White Sox, and Yankees. In 1961, he took on a player-coach role with the Yankees in his final month.

He picked up the nickname “The Earl of Snohomish” from Hall of Famer Earl Averill, another Snohomish native.

Personal Life and Legacy

Earl Torgeson built a meaningful life outside of baseball. He stayed rooted in his community and tried his hand at a few business ventures.

He kept close ties with family and served in public office. He even ran a sports camp for kids, sharing what he’d learned over the years.

Life After Retirement

When Torgeson retired in 1961, he jumped into the financial world for a bit, working as a stockbroker with Mitchell Hutchins Brokerage in Chicago.

Not long after, he bought and ran Camp Forsyte, a boys’ sports camp in Westfield, Wisconsin. That camp really showed his commitment to helping young people, especially those who didn’t have much.

He sponsored a lot of underprivileged kids from Chicago, giving them a shot alongside the paying campers. The camp combined his love for sports and his drive to give back.

Torgeson later moved back to Snohomish, Washington. He served four years as a Snohomish County commissioner, showing he cared about public service.

His shift from pro athlete to community leader highlighted his versatility and desire to make a difference beyond baseball.

Family and Community Involvement

Torgeson never lost touch with his roots. Born Clifford Earl Torgeson in Snohomish, he carried the “Earl of Snohomish” nickname, just like Earl Averill before him.

His parents, Melvin and Helen, divorced when he was young, but both stayed in town and involved in his life.

Helen married Harold King and ran an appliance store for years. Melvin, with his Norwegian background, built many of the town’s homes.

Torgeson’s connection to Snohomish ran deep. He understood how much the community shaped him and wanted to give back.

Influence on Future Generations

Torgeson left a mark on future generations, mainly through his youth sports camp and community work. Camp Forsyte gave young athletes a place to learn skills and life lessons.

He made sure to sponsor kids who couldn’t afford it, proving that he believed in sports as a way to make a positive impact. That attitude influenced plenty of young lives, not just in baseball.

As a county commissioner, he helped shape decisions that affected families and youth. His background as a pro athlete and public servant gave him a unique perspective.

Torgeson kept his sense of humor and a positive outlook, qualities that helped him succeed on and off the field.

Final Years and Memorial

Earl Torgeson passed away from leukemia at 66 in Everett, Washington, on November 8, 1990. His final resting place is Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Snohomish, staying connected to the community that shaped his early days in baseball.

Passing and Burial at Cemetery

Clifford Earl Torgeson lost his battle with leukemia on November 8, 1990. He died at his home in Everett, Washington, at 66.

He spent his last years in the Pacific Northwest, back in the region where his pro baseball journey started. After he finished playing in 1961, Torgeson jumped into public service.

He worked four years as a Snohomish County commissioner, but his health eventually declined. Torgeson’s family buried him at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Snohomish, Washington.

That cemetery meant a lot—it tied him right back to his hometown roots. Snohomish was where he first got noticed as a baseball talent during high school.

Commemoration in Snohomish

People in Snohomish still talk about Torgeson. They called him “The Earl of Snohomish,” a nickname that originally belonged to Hall of Famer Earl Averill, who also came from this small town.

Folks around here spotted Torgeson’s talent early on. Some locals actually went to his high school football coach and asked him to let Torgeson focus on baseball instead.

He always kept close ties with Snohomish. The town felt proud knowing one of their own played in three World Series during his 15-year major league career.

You can visit Torgeson’s grave at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery. Its spot in Snohomish keeps his story tied to the community that cheered him on from the beginning.