Tom Gorman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Tom Gorman wrapped up his eight-year Major League Baseball career on June 23, 1959, pitching his final innings for the Kansas City Athletics against his old team, the New York Yankees.

This right-handed pitcher from New York built a solid career as both a starter and a reliever. He finished with an even 36-36 win-loss record over 289 games.

Gorman’s retirement closed out a career that included two World Series championships with the Yankees in 1952 and 1953. He established himself as a dependable arm during baseball’s golden era.

He went from the streets of New York to the pitcher’s mound at Yankee Stadium, living out the classic American baseball dream of the 1950s.

Let’s take a look at Tom Gorman’s life and career, from his early days as a pitcher, through his rise in the Yankees organization, his move to Kansas City, and the impact he left on his teams.

From his rookie breakthrough to his last game at age 34, Gorman’s story gives us a peek into the life of a pro athlete during one of baseball’s most beloved decades.

Early Life and Background

Thomas Aloysius Gorman was born on January 4, 1925, in New York City. His family later moved out to Valley Stream on Long Island, where he spent his childhood.

Growing up in the New York area eventually led Tom to the big leagues with his hometown Yankees.

Birth and Family Origins

Thomas Aloysius Gorman was born on January 4, 1925, in New York, New York. Not long after, his family moved to Valley Stream, Long Island.

He grew up and found his love for baseball there. The Gormans settled in Valley Stream during Tom’s early years.

This Long Island community gave him a great place to develop as an athlete. Valley Stream had plenty of youth baseball opportunities, with solid local leagues and rec programs.

These helped shape young players like Tom. His full name, Thomas Aloysius Gorman, reflected his Irish-American roots—a background shared by lots of ballplayers from that era.

The family stayed in Valley Stream throughout Tom’s youth. That stability gave him a chance to build lasting friendships and focus on sports.

Education and High School Years

There’s not a ton of info out there about Tom Gorman’s specific education or high school days. Most records stick to his pro baseball achievements, not his school years.

Back in the 1940s, lots of future big leaguers went to local high schools. Tom probably did the same while living in Valley Stream.

High school baseball in the New York area was pretty competitive then. Those programs often helped launch pro careers.

Tom’s high school years happened during World War II. That likely affected both his education and his early baseball chances.

Influences and Early Baseball Experience

Tom Gorman picked up his pitching skills growing up around New York. The region had a deep baseball tradition that inspired plenty of young players.

As a righty, Tom looked up to several major league pitchers. The Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers all played nearby back then.

He played in local leagues and with amateur teams, gaining valuable experience. Those games let Tom sharpen his skills before going pro.

New York baseball was tough and competitive, which prepared him for the majors. He faced strong opponents at every level.

Tom’s early baseball journey led to his pro debut with the Yankees on July 16, 1952.

He was already 27 when he reached the majors, so he clearly spent a lot of time developing in the minors and amateur leagues.

Major League Baseball Career

Tom Gorman played eight seasons in the majors from 1952 to 1959. He put together a 36-36 record with a 3.77 ERA over 289 games.

He started out with the New York Yankees, then moved to the Kansas City Athletics, where he spent most of his big league years.

Debut With New York Yankees

Thomas Aloysius Gorman made his big league debut on July 16, 1952, at age 27, facing the Cleveland Indians. He threw 2.0 innings, allowed 2 hits and 1 earned run, struck out 2, and picked up the win.

In his rookie season, he posted a 6-2 record, even though his ERA was 4.60. He appeared in 12 games, started 6, and finished one shutout.

He debuted a little later in life than most players. At 27, he was already older than several established veterans.

Early on, he helped the Yankees in the 1952 and 1953 World Series. In 1952, he tossed 0.2 scoreless innings, and in 1953, he pitched 3.0 innings with a 3.00 ERA.

Key Seasons and Achievements

Gorman really found his stride after joining the Kansas City Athletics in 1955. That year, he went 7-6 with 18 saves and a 3.55 ERA over 57 games.

His 1956 season was a real grind. He pitched in 52 games, started 13, and logged 171.1 innings with a 9-10 record.

Career Highlights:

• 44 career saves
• 2 World Series appearances (1952, 1953)
• 289 total games pitched
• 321 career strikeouts

In 1957, Gorman had his best strikeout year, fanning 66 in 124.2 innings. He also completed 3 games, including a shutout.

His last season in 1959 was rough, with a 7.08 ERA in limited action. He pitched in just 17 games before retiring at 34.

Role as Right-Handed Pitcher

Gorman mostly worked out of the bullpen, though he started 33 games in his 289 appearances. That versatility made him a useful piece for both the Yankees and Athletics.

He excelled as a reliever, closing out games. Over his career, he finished 132 games and notched 44 saves, peaking at 18 in 1955.

He relied more on control than power. Gorman finished with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.34, showing decent command.

Career Stats:

• ERA: 3.77
• WHIP: 1.303
• Strikeouts per 9 innings: 4.2
• Walks per 9 innings: 3.1

He was durable, often pitching multiple innings per outing. On average, he threw 2.4 innings per game, which was pretty common for relievers in the 1950s.

Gorman’s last game came on June 23, 1959, against the Yankees. He pitched 2 innings, gave up 6 hits and 4 earned runs, and that was it for his big league career.

Teams Played For

Tom Gorman played for two major league teams in his eight-season career. He started with the New York Yankees in 1952 and later joined the Kansas City Athletics in 1955, finishing up there in 1959.

Time With New York Yankees

Thomas Aloysius Gorman kicked off his MLB career with the Yankees on July 16, 1952. He was 27 when he debuted against the Cleveland Indians.

He spent three years with the Yankees, from 1952 to 1954. During that time, he mostly pitched in relief.

Gorman found early success in New York, helping the team win two World Series titles in 1952 and 1953.

He mainly served as a bullpen pitcher, coming in when the team needed relief.

The Yankees gave Gorman his first shot at the majors. That experience with a powerhouse franchise set the stage for his career.

Stint With Kansas City Athletics

The Yankees sold Gorman’s contract to the Kansas City Athletics during spring training in 1955. That move kicked off the second chapter of his MLB career.

Gorman played five seasons with Kansas City, from 1955 through 1959. The Athletics had just moved to Kansas City that year, making it their first season in Missouri.

He had his best year in 1955 with the A’s, racking up 18 saves—second most in the American League.

He pitched in 289 major league games overall, with most appearances coming as an Athletic.

His final MLB game was on June 23, 1959, against the Yankees. He threw 2 innings in what turned out to be his last pro appearance.

Career Highlights and Notable Games

Tom Gorman’s eight-year career included some standout pitching and championship moments. His record-setting minor league streak and World Series contributions with the Yankees were real high points.

Significant Pitching Performances

Gorman’s most impressive pitching came during his last minor league season in 1951. He set a Texas League record with 42 straight scoreless innings for the Beaumont Roughnecks.

That streak earned him a call-up to the majors the next year. It showed he could dominate hitters over multiple games.

After joining the Kansas City Athletics in 1955, Gorman had his best big league season as a reliever. He racked up a career-high 18 saves that year, locking down the closer role.

Statistical Milestones

Gorman finished with a perfectly balanced 36 wins and 36 losses in 289 major league games. He played eight seasons in the majors, from 1952 to 1959.

He worked mostly out of the bullpen, starting just 33 games. That showed his value as a relief specialist.

He spent time with two franchises: the Yankees (1952-1954) and Athletics (1955-1959). He kept things pretty steady across both teams.

Memorable Postseason Appearances

Gorman pitched in the World Series for the Yankees in 1952 and 1953. Those appearances came right at the start of his big league career.

The Yankees won both championships while Gorman was there. He played his part in the team’s early 1950s dynasty.

His postseason experience came early, but those World Series games were the biggest moments he’d see as a pro.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Thomas Aloysius Gorman’s baseball career ended in 1959 with the Kansas City Athletics after eight seasons in Major League Baseball.

He stepped away from pro sports and went back to his Long Island roots, living quietly until he passed away in 1992.

Circumstances Around Retirement in 1959

Gorman played his last MLB game on June 23, 1959, for the Kansas City Athletics. He was 34 then, wrapping up eight big league seasons with a career record of 36 wins and 36 losses.

He pitched in 289 games, mostly as a reliever, with only 33 starts. By his later years, he’d really settled into the bullpen.

His final season stats showed a pitcher near the end of his run. The 1959 season closed out his time with Kansas City, where he’d played since 1955.

The Athletics had moved from Philadelphia to Kansas City in 1955, and Gorman got to be part of those first years in Missouri.

Life After Baseball

After he retired from professional baseball, Gorman moved back to Valley Stream, Long Island, the place where he grew up.

He kept living in the same neighborhood he’d known before joining the Yankees organization.

There’s not much out there about what Gorman did for work after baseball.

He mostly kept to himself, staying out of the spotlight that used to follow him during his playing days.

A lot of players from his era tried their hand at business or coaching, but honestly, nobody really documented what Gorman chose to do.

He stuck around Valley Stream for more than thirty years after he hung up his glove.

Maybe the familiar streets and old friends gave him a sense of stability as he adjusted to life after baseball.

Personal Legacy and Recognition

People remember Gorman most for being part of two World Series championship teams in 1952 and 1953 with the New York Yankees.

Those victories really marked the high point of his career.

His stats show a balanced record—36 wins and 36 losses.

He kept a 3.77 earned run average over 689⅓ innings pitched.

With 321 career strikeouts and 42 saves, he proved he could handle both starting and relieving.

Key Career Highlights:

• 2× World Series champion (1952, 1953)
• 18 saves in 1955 (second in American League)
• 289 career games pitched

Gorman passed away at his Valley Stream home on December 26, 1992, at the age of 67.

He spent 33 quiet years in his hometown after leaving baseball behind.

His passing meant another member of those early ’50s Yankees championship teams was gone.

Legacy in Baseball

Tom Gorman spent eight years in the MLB, making his mark with the New York Yankees and earning a reputation as a steady relief pitcher during a time when baseball was figuring out the modern bullpen.

His World Series wins and early relief work influenced both his teammates and the way people thought about specialized pitching.

Influence on New York Yankees History

Gorman played a big part in the Yankees’ championship runs in 1952 and 1953.

He debuted just as the team won its fourth straight World Series.

The Yankees leaned on him as a right-handed reliever, using his arm to finish games and cover the middle innings.

He helped build the deep pitching staff that became a Yankees trademark.

During his time with the Yankees from 1952 to 1954, he posted a 3.77 ERA—pretty consistent work.

Out of the 289 MLB games he pitched, most were as a reliever, not a starter.

After 1954, the Yankees traded him to Kansas City, which probably showed they felt good about their pitching depth.

That move ended his direct impact on Yankees history, but his championships still matter to the team’s story.

Impact on Future Right-Handed Pitchers

Gorman’s career bridged the old days of starting pitchers and the new era of relief specialists.

He showed teams that having bullpen arms dedicated to relief could really pay off.

In his best season with Kansas City in 1955, he notched 18 saves and finished second in the American League.

That kind of performance proved right-handed pitchers could thrive in relief roles.

With 321 career strikeouts over 689⅓ innings, he showed he had both the velocity and control teams wanted.

Those numbers set a standard for future relievers in similar roles.

When he moved from the Yankees to Kansas City, Gorman proved relief pitchers could stay effective even after changing teams.

His steady work helped make relief pitching a real career option.

Commemoration and Lasting Recognition

Gorman won two World Series championships with the New York Yankees, and those victories keep his name in the baseball record books. These titles really stand out as his biggest professional achievements.

He’s buried at Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury, New York, which keeps his story close to his Long Island roots. Valley Stream, where he grew up and eventually passed away, still remembers him as a hometown baseball success.

Baseball reference sites and statistical databases hold onto his full career record—36 wins and 36 losses. That perfectly balanced win-loss mark has turned into a quirky little trivia point for some fans.

In 1955, Gorman pitched relief for the Athletics during Kansas City’s first season. He actually finished second in American League saves that year, which still pops up in early Kansas City history.