Willard Schmidt – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Willard Schmidt put together a solid seven-year run in Major League Baseball before stepping away from the game in 1959. Born in Hays, Kansas, this right-handed pitcher wrapped up his career with the Cincinnati Reds after first breaking in with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1952.

When Schmidt retired in 1959, he left behind a record of 31 wins and 29 losses across 194 games, along with 323 strikeouts during his time in the majors. That final season stands out for a quirky record—he became the first known player to get hit by a pitch twice in the same inning by two different pitchers, all in a single game against the Milwaukee Braves.

From his college days at Fort Hays State to his pro debut with the Cardinals, Schmidt followed a pretty classic path through the minors. His story gives you a real sense of what it was like for a solid pitcher grinding it out at the top level during the 1950s, a decade loaded with legendary players and unforgettable moments.

Early Life and Background

Willard Raymond Schmidt was born on May 29, 1928, in Hays, Kansas. He learned the game locally before heading to Fort Hays State College.

His early years in Hays, Kansas, shaped his athletic future. The small-town environment gave him a chance to play and fall in love with baseball.

Family Heritage and Upbringing

Willard Schmidt came into the world on May 29, 1928, in Hays, Kansas. Growing up during the Great Depression, he faced the usual mix of challenges and opportunities you’d expect in rural America.

Hays was a close-knit place, and local sports meant a lot. Schmidt got to develop his skills thanks to the town’s baseball culture.

That Kansas upbringing gave him a work ethic and determination that stuck with him throughout his career. The values from home really seemed to matter to him later on.

Education and Fort Hays State College

Schmidt attended Fort Hays State College for just one season before deciding to go pro. That brief time gave him his first taste of college-level athletics.

At Fort Hays State, Schmidt sharpened his pitching against tougher competition. Scouts started to notice what he could do on the mound.

His college experience turned out to be a key step in his baseball development. It helped him get ready for the leap to professional ball.

Introduction to Baseball

Schmidt started playing organized baseball as a kid in Kansas. Folks quickly saw his natural ability as a right-handed pitcher.

The St. Louis Cardinals organization took notice of his talent. Scouts liked what they saw and made him an offer.

When Schmidt left Fort Hays State after one season, he showed real commitment to chasing a pro career. That choice launched his journey in Major League Baseball.

Path to Major League Baseball

Schmidt’s road from Kansas college baseball to the majors started when he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 1949. His standout 22-win season in Class D ball caught the eye of Cardinals scouts and set him up for the big leagues.

Minor League Experience

After one season at Fort Hays State, Schmidt jumped into pro baseball. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent before the 1949 season.

That first year, he won 22 games for Class D Beloit. Not bad for a rookie—he really got people talking.

Schmidt kept improving in the Cardinals’ farm system. In 1951, he picked up 19 wins in Class A. That kind of consistency proved he could handle tougher competition.

The Cardinals’ front office noticed his strong minor league stats. Schmidt’s winning records showed he could handle the pressure.

Progression to the St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals called up Schmidt to the majors at the end of the 1952 season. His steady minor league work earned him the shot.

In the early ‘50s, Schmidt bounced between the majors and minors. He made short appearances with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1952 and 1953, picking up valuable experience.

The Cardinals kept believing in Schmidt’s potential. They gave him more chances to prove himself in Major League Baseball.

By 1955, Schmidt finally secured a regular spot on the Cardinals roster. His persistence paid off with consistent playing time.

Debut in Major League Baseball

Schmidt made his Major League Baseball debut on April 19, 1952, facing the Chicago Cubs. At 23, he took the mound for his first big league game.

He pitched 1.2 innings, allowed one hit, struck out one, and didn’t walk anyone or give up an earned run. Not a bad way to start.

That debut came after three years in the minors. Schmidt showed he’d earned the opportunity.

The outing marked the start of a seven-season MLB career. He spent five of those years with the Cardinals, the team that developed him.

Professional Career Overview

Willard Schmidt played eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1952 to 1959, finishing with a 31-29 record in 194 games. He built a reputation as a right-handed pitcher for two franchises and picked up a few unique distinctions along the way.

Teams Played For

Schmidt started his MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1952. After brief stints in 1952 and 1953, he became more established.

The Cardinals gave him his best stretch of playing time starting in 1955. His standout year came in 1957, when he went 10-3 and was 5-0 as a starter.

After the 1957 season, the Cardinals traded Schmidt to the Cincinnati Redlegs in a deal that brought Curt Flood to St. Louis. That trade changed the direction of his career.

Schmidt played his last MLB games with Cincinnati in 1959. The Redlegs gave him his final shot at the highest level.

Pitching Style and Skills

Schmidt stood 6’1″ and weighed 187 pounds. He threw and batted right-handed, which was pretty standard for pitchers back then.

As a pitcher, Schmidt racked up 323 strikeouts over his eight MLB seasons. He could get hitters out with his pitching, not just rely on the defense behind him.

Managers used Schmidt as both a starter and a reliever. That flexibility made him a useful arm for any pitching staff.

His pitching style fit the 1950s game. Back then, pitchers were expected to go deep into games and handle all sorts of situations.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

On April 26, 1959, Schmidt set an odd record by getting hit by a pitch twice in the same inning. This happened during an 11-10 win over the Milwaukee Braves.

Braves pitchers Bob Rush and Lew Burdette both hit him in that wild third inning. Only three players in MLB history have been hit twice in one inning.

Schmidt shares this rare feat with Frank Thomas and Brady Anderson. It’s still one of baseball’s strangest records.

His 10-win season in 1957 was the high point of his career. That year, he really showed what he could do with the Cardinals.

Willard Schmidt’s 1959 Retirement

Willard Schmidt wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1959 after eight seasons on the mound. His retirement closed a chapter that included playing for two teams and a spot in baseball’s record books.

Final MLB Season

Schmidt’s last year came with the Cincinnati Reds in 1959. He kept working as both a spot starter and reliever.

Between 1958 and 1959, he appeared in 77 games. Schmidt kept showing his versatility by fitting into different roles.

That season, he made history by getting hit by a pitch twice in the same inning against the Milwaukee Braves on April 26, 1959.

Lew Burdette hit him first in the third inning, and then Bob Rush hit him again in that same frame.

That bizarre inning put Schmidt in the Major League Baseball record books. He became the first player ever hit by a pitch twice in one inning.

Decision to Retire

After the 1959 season ended, Schmidt decided to retire from professional baseball. He finished with a 31-29 career record in 194 games.

His eight-year run spanned from 1952 to 1959, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.

He ended up with 323 strikeouts. His peak came in 1957, when he went 10-3 and was perfect as a starter.

Schmidt moved into private business after baseball, switching to the automotive industry.

Legacy in Baseball

Schmidt’s baseball legacy includes his unique place in the MLB record books. Only three players have been hit by a pitch twice in the same inning, and he’s one of them.

Frank Thomas and Brady Anderson are the only others with that odd distinction. Schmidt’s experience on April 26, 1959, still stands out.

He played the game in the 1950s as a right-handed pitcher, standing 6’1″ and weighing 187 pounds.

After baseball, Schmidt ran car dealerships in Norman, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City. He made a successful jump from sports to business.

Schmidt passed away on March 22, 2007, at age 78. His baseball career stays a memorable part of 1950s Major League Baseball history.

Life After Baseball

Willard Raymond Schmidt switched gears from professional baseball to business ownership and youth coaching after 1959. He set up car dealerships in the Oklahoma City area and stayed close to the game by coaching, eventually getting recognized in the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.

Coaching and Mentoring

Schmidt stayed deeply involved in baseball after his major league career ended. He spent years coaching Little League and American Legion teams in Oklahoma.

Through coaching, Schmidt showed real dedication to developing young players. He shared his professional experience and helped youth players build their skills.

He kept in touch with fans and young ballplayers throughout his life. That ongoing connection showed just how much he loved the sport.

Schmidt’s coaching wasn’t just about baseball tips. He mentored young athletes, passing along lessons from his own big league days.

Business Ventures

After he retired, Schmidt jumped into the automotive world as a business owner. He ran car dealerships in Norman and the Oklahoma City area.

Those business ventures gave him financial security after baseball. The dealerships let him put down roots in Oklahoma and build a successful second career.

Players from the 1950s often needed a second career, since baseball salaries back then weren’t what they are today. Schmidt’s move to car sales was pretty typical for the era.

Running the dealerships also gave him the freedom to keep coaching. He managed to balance business and baseball in his post-playing life.

Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame Induction

Schmidt got recognized for his baseball achievements when the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame inducted him in 1989. That honor celebrated his contributions as a Kansas native.

The induction came 30 years after he left pro baseball. It recognized both his time in the majors and his years spent coaching.

His hall of fame status highlighted his journey from Hays, Kansas, to the big leagues. Schmidt only spent one season at Fort Hays State before signing with the Cardinals.

The 1989 induction class honored his 31 career wins and 3.93 ERA over seven major league seasons. His best year was 1957, when he went 10-3 with the Cardinals.

Personal Life, Memorials, and Legacy

Willard Schmidt built a meaningful life that went far beyond baseball. He put down deep roots in Oklahoma and always kept his family close.

When he passed away in 2007, people remembered him with heartfelt tributes. Folks celebrated both his athletic career and the kind of person he was.

Family and Community Involvement

Schmidt married Margaret Schachle in 1950, starting a partnership that lasted 57 years. They raised six kids together: Layne Evans, Paul Schmidt, Lisa Schmidt, Kent Schmidt, Meg Schmidt, and Madeline Schmidt.

After he retired from baseball, Schmidt jumped into business in Norman, Oklahoma. He co-owned the Schmidt-Tullius Dodge dealership and later ran the Schmidt Bicycle and Lawnmower Center.

These businesses made Schmidt a familiar face around town. People knew him not just for his sports background, but for his work ethic and friendly attitude.

In 1991, the family packed up and moved to a small farm in Newcastle, Oklahoma. They turned an old dairy farm into a spot for family gatherings, wedding receptions, and the occasional barn party.

Schmidt never really left baseball behind. He spent years coaching little league and American Legion teams, helping young players grow.

His commitment to youth baseball shaped a lot of kids’ lives. Some of those young athletes probably still remember his encouragement and advice.

The family’s faith ran deep. Schmidt stayed active at St. Joseph’s Parish in Norman, and his beliefs shaped much of his daily life.

Passing, Funeral, and Cemetery

Willard Raymond Schmidt died on March 22, 2007, at age 78 in Newcastle, Oklahoma. He was at home, surrounded by his wife and children after a long illness.

On March 28, 2007, the funeral Mass took place at St. Joseph Church in Norman. Rev. Edward Menasco led the service and paid tribute to Schmidt, comparing his heavenly reward to pitching a perfect no-hitter.

Schmidt now rests at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Elk City, Oklahoma. The family wanted him near his beloved parents-in-law, Allie and Flora Schachle, and other Schachle relatives.

Family, friends, and former teammates came to say goodbye. They remembered Schmidt for his humor, his strength, and his devotion to faith and family.

Lasting Impact and Memorials

Schmidt’s baseball achievements landed him a spot in the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. People in his home state really appreciated what he did for the sport.

After he retired, Schmidt kept in touch with baseball fans and students of the game all over the world. He loved sharing old stories and insights, and honestly, that’s probably why his legacy still sticks with so many baseball enthusiasts.

The Schmidt family set up memorial contributions to the St. Joseph Parish Building Fund in his honor. They wanted to reflect his lifelong commitment to his church community, and it just felt right to them.

Schmidt made baseball history as the first known player to get hit by a pitch twice in the same inning by two different pitchers. This wild moment happened on April 26, 1959, when Bob Rush and Lew Burdette of the Milwaukee Braves both hit him during a game.

He turned the Newcastle farm into a family gathering spot, and that move created memories that stuck with his descendants. The place really became a symbol of how much he cared about bringing his family together, no matter the generation.