Hersh Freeman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Hershell “Hersh” Freeman spent six years in Major League Baseball as a reliable relief pitcher, moving between three teams from 1952 to 1958. He grew up in Gadsden, Alabama, and sharpened his pitching at the University of Alabama before debuting for the Boston Red Sox at 24.

Freeman hit his stride in 1956 with the Cincinnati Redlegs, posting a 14-5 record and leading the majors in closing games. That year, he really made a name for himself as one of the premier relievers of his time.

His career took him from the Red Sox to the Redlegs, and then to the Chicago Cubs. Freeman wrapped up his playing days in 1958 with a solid 30-16 overall record and a 3.74 ERA.

If you look at Freeman’s life, you see more than just his work on the mound. After retiring, he moved into coaching, scouting, and even community service. His story shows how someone from small-town Alabama built a solid professional baseball career in the 1950s, leaving a legacy that reached beyond his playing years.

Early Life and Background

Hershell Baskin Freeman Jr. was born July 1, 1928, into a working-class family in Gadsden, Alabama. His dad worked at the local rubber plant, and Freeman picked up his athletic skills in school and youth programs before heading to college.

Family and Upbringing

Freeman grew up in a blue-collar home in Gadsden. His father, Hershell Freeman Sr., worked as a tire moulder and later as a curer at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant, which had just opened a year before Freeman was born.

His mother, Cliffie Mary Sheffield Freeman, took care of Freeman and his younger brother Gary, who arrived about seven years later. The family lived pretty simply on his dad’s rubber plant income.

Freeman came from Irish-Indian (Native American) ancestry. That mixed heritage was part of his roots in Alabama.

The Freemans stayed connected to the Gadsden community all through his childhood.

Education and Youth Athletics

Freeman went to J.L. Wagnon Elementary School and then Gadsden High School. As a kid, he joined several baseball programs where he learned to pitch.

He played in the Boy Scout League and American Legion baseball. Those leagues gave him early chances to compete, and his pitching talent stood out fast.

Freeman landed a baseball-football scholarship at the University of Alabama. He played both sports for the Crimson Tide at first, but a minor football injury nudged him to focus on baseball.

That choice turned out to be the right call. Freeman eventually made the All-Century Team at Alabama. He kept up his studies during baseball off-seasons while playing pro ball.

Connection to New York

Freeman didn’t really have any ties to New York growing up. His roots stayed in Alabama and the Southeast.

Nothing in the records shows any early life links to New York or its schools. His baseball journey would later take him all over, but his upbringing was strictly Southern.

Professional Baseball Career

Hersh Freeman put together a solid six-season run as a relief pitcher in the big leagues from 1952 to 1958. He finished with a 30-16 record and a 3.74 ERA over 204 games, and he really shined with the Cincinnati Redlegs in the mid-1950s.

Major League Debut

Freeman made his MLB debut on September 10, 1952, with the Boston Red Sox in Detroit. He handled the last two innings after Mel Parnell started the game, giving up just one hit and no runs in a 6-2 loss.

He got his call-up after a strong 1952 with the Triple-A Louisville Colonels, where he went 8-7 with a 2.92 ERA under manager Mike Higgins.

In his first month, Freeman made four appearances for manager Lou Boudreau. On September 26 at Fenway Park, he threw a complete-game win against the Washington Senators.

He allowed only four hits and two walks in the 3-1 victory, and even helped at the plate by going 2-for-3. Only 1,183 fans showed up that day.

Teams Played For

Freeman suited up for three teams in his major league career. He spent parts of two seasons with the Boston Red Sox (1952-1953, 1955).

The Cincinnati Redlegs picked up Freeman’s contract on May 10, 1955, after the Red Sox ran out of options on him. That move worked out for both sides.

Freeman found his stride in Cincinnati from 1955-1958, where manager Birdie Tebbetts mostly used him as a closer and even called him the league’s best reliever.

He finished up with the Chicago Cubs in 1958. The Cubs traded Turk Lown to Cincinnati for Freeman on May 8, but honestly, the swap didn’t help either pitcher.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Freeman’s best year came in 1956 with the Cincinnati Redlegs. He posted a 14-5 record, which was rare for a reliever back then.

Key 1956 Statistics:

• 64 games pitched
• 47 games finished (tied for MLB lead)
• 17 saves (second in National League)
• 3.40 ERA
• 16th in MVP voting

On July 15, 1956, Freeman pulled off something special—he won both games of a doubleheader against the New York Giants, working in relief both times.

He ended up with 359 innings pitched, 158 strikeouts, and 37 saves. All of his saves came with Cincinnati, where he became one of the top closers of his era.

Uniform Numbers and Positions

Freeman always pitched right-handed. He stood 6-foot-3 and weighed 220 pounds, so he cut an imposing figure on the mound.

He worked mainly as a reliever, starting just three games out of 204 appearances. His role as a closer really took shape in Cincinnati.

He threw and batted right-handed throughout his career. His size and arm strength made him tough to face, especially late in games when teams needed a strikeout.

Freeman’s final major league appearance came on June 7, 1958, with the Chicago Cubs. He finished that year with a 0-1 record and an 8.31 ERA in nine games before the Cubs sold his contract to Fort Worth in the Texas League.

Key Seasons and Performance

Freeman’s Major League career ran from 1952 to 1958, peaking during his Cincinnati years. That 1956 season really stands out—he went 14-5 as a reliever, which is still impressive. His debut complete game win and his last scoreless relief outing kind of bookend a career full of clutch moments.

Notable Games and Moments

Freeman made his Major League debut on September 10, 1952, in Detroit, pitching two scoreless innings in relief. Just 16 days later, on September 26, he tossed a complete-game win against the Washington Senators at Fenway Park.

That game showed what he could do—he gave up only four hits and a single run in a 3-1 win. He also chipped in at the plate, going 2-for-3. The only run came on an Eddie Yost homer, and just one other Senator even reached second base.

On July 15, 1956, Freeman did something rare—he won both games of a doubleheader against the Giants. That day really highlighted his durability and effectiveness as a reliever.

His last notable outing came on May 6, 1958, when he threw 5⅔ innings of scoreless relief against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Two days later, the Cubs traded for him, but that move kind of marked the start of his career winding down.

Statistics Overview

Freeman finished his career 30-16 with a 3.74 ERA in 204 Major League games. He struck out 158 and picked up 37 saves in six seasons.

His best year was 1956 with Cincinnati—14-5 record, 3.40 ERA, 64 games, and leading the majors with 47 games finished (tied with Clem Labine and Turk Lown).

His 17 saves that year ranked second in the National League. He even got some MVP votes, winding up 16th in the National League MVP voting.

Career Statistics by Team:

• Boston Red Sox (1952-1953, 1955): Not a ton of games, mixed results
• Cincinnati Redlegs (1955-1958): 21-7 record, 2.77 ERA, his best years by far
• Chicago Cubs (1958): 0-1 record, 8.31 ERA, rough final season

Role in Team Success

Freeman played a big part in Cincinnati’s mid-1950s success. The Redlegs finished third in the National League in 1956, and Freeman was their main closer and bullpen ace.

Manager Birdie Tebbetts really valued Freeman, calling him the league’s best reliever in 1955. Tebbetts won Manager of the Year in 1956, and Freeman’s work out of the bullpen definitely helped.

In 1957, Tebbetts said Freeman was the “most valuable pitcher in the National League.” Freeman appeared in 52 games that season, going 7-2 and still holding down the closer role.

Freeman’s steady arm out of the bullpen kept Cincinnati competitive during his time there. He could close games or pitch multiple innings, making him a real asset when the Redlegs were chasing the pennant.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Hersh Freeman’s baseball career ended in 1958 after he tore a muscle in his arm. He shifted into scouting, managing, and community work, staying involved through coaching and mentoring younger players.

Retirement in 1958

Freeman’s pro career ended suddenly in 1958, after the Cincinnati Redlegs traded him to the Chicago Cubs. He pitched in only nine games for the Cubs, posting an 8.31 ERA over 13 innings.

The Cubs sent his contract to Fort Worth in the Double-A Texas League. Freeman showed some of his old form there, going 5-1 with a 3.81 ERA in 24 games.

But his comeback didn’t last. Freeman tore a muscle in his arm, and that injury ended his pitching days. He couldn’t play in 1959, and he had to accept that his pro career was over.

Freeman went back home to Gadsden, Alabama, during that tough transition. He ran a miniature golf course and a driving range, trying his hand at business for the first time outside of baseball.

Career After Baseball

Freeman dove into several different fields after his baseball days, really showing how much more he could do beyond pitching. In 1960, the Cincinnati Reds brought him on to supervise their scouting efforts in the Florida-Georgia area, which helped him stay close to the game.

He kicked off his managerial career in 1961, taking the reins for the Columbia Reds in the Class-A Sally League. Freeman kept managing through 1963, working with teams like the Tampa Tarpons and Rocky Mount Leafs.

When he left baseball management, Freeman took a job as a salesman for a wholesale furniture company in Gadsden. By 1965, he had moved into a role as assistant director at the Orange County Juvenile and Parental Homes in Orlando, Florida.

Starting in 1973, Freeman worked at Colonial High School in Orlando as supervisor of the custodial staff. He also became the head baseball coach for about five or six years, guiding the team to a state semi-final run in 1975.

Freeman kept busy in youth baseball, especially through Little League. His son Mike said Freeman “didn’t push us” but liked coaching and sharing what he knew about baseball with younger kids.

Involvement in the Order of the Eastern Star

There’s no specific information about Hersh Freeman having ties to the Order of the Eastern Star. The organization was definitely around during Freeman’s life, but none of the available sources link him to it.

Most records about Freeman’s community involvement focus on his work with juvenile facilities and school sports. He made his mark on youth development mainly through those roles and through baseball coaching, not through fraternal organizations.

Without solid sources confirming his involvement with the Order of the Eastern Star, it doesn’t make sense to speculate about that part of his life.

Personal Life and Interests

Hersh Freeman managed to juggle his baseball career with family life and a bunch of other interests. He enjoyed creative hobbies and kept his Alabama roots close, even after his playing days.

Hobbies and Off-Field Activities

Freeman found some peace in artistic pursuits after retiring. He picked up oil painting as a way to relax.

He also liked building model boats in his spare time. Golf, though, became his main passion after he stopped playing baseball.

Freeman got pretty good at golf—almost a scratch golfer, according to his son Mike. Still, he seemed to value the time with friends more than keeping score.

He spent plenty of weekends on the golf course with friends and family. Freeman introduced his sons Randy and Mike to the sport, and the three of them played a lot of rounds together.

He also put a lot of energy into youth baseball coaching. As head baseball coach at Colonial High School in Orlando, he led the team to the state semi-finals in 1975.

Connections to Cars and Collecting

Nothing in the search results points to Freeman having much to do with cars or collecting hobbies. Most of his interests revolved around sports, art, and family.

His baseball career and later work in education and facilities management seemed to take up most of his time. Freeman stuck to hobbies like golf, painting, and building model boats.

Links to Actors and the World of Entertainment

There’s no real evidence that Freeman had connections to the entertainment world. He focused on baseball, family, and helping out in his community, not on anything Hollywood-related.

The closest he came to entertainment was through coaching. Steve Christmas, who later played for the Reds, White Sox, and Cubs, played on Freeman’s 1975 Colonial High School team that made it to the state semi-finals.

Freeman’s public life really centered on baseball and his work in education and youth sports. His family described him as “kind, unassuming and wanting to help others,” not someone chasing fame or entertainment industry ties.

Legacy, Recognition, and Net Worth

Hersh Freeman left a modest but meaningful mark on baseball, especially with his standout 1956 season for the Cincinnati Redlegs. His finances matched what most players from his era earned, which was a far cry from what today’s stars make.

Media and Advertising Appearances

Freeman kept a pretty low profile in the media and advertising world. Unlike some big-name players, he didn’t land major endorsement deals or get featured in big ad campaigns.

His most notable media attention came during his great 1956 season. Freeman finished 16th in MVP voting, which brought him some national attention.

Baseball writers praised his relief pitching, and manager Birdie Tebbetts even called him “the best reliever in the league.”

The 1950s had a much smaller media landscape, so players had fewer chances to build big personal brands. Only the superstars made it into national ad campaigns back then.

Most of Freeman’s recognition showed up in baseball publications and local newspapers where he played. The Society for American Baseball Research later documented his career, which helped keep his story alive for baseball historians.

Influence on Future Generations

Freeman’s biggest impact on future generations probably came through his post-playing career work. After leaving professional baseball, he moved into coaching and youth development.

He served as head baseball coach at Colonial High School in Orlando for about five to six years. The team reached the state semi-finals in 1975, with Steve Christmas—who went on to play in the majors—on the roster.

Freeman also helped out with Little League baseball in his community. His son Mike said Freeman coached his kids but “didn’t push” them into the sport.

Instead, Freeman focused on teaching the basics and making sure the game stayed fun. He passed along his pro knowledge to young players and tried to keep the joy in baseball.

Estimated Net Worth and Financial Overview

Freeman’s estimated net worth, honestly, reflected what most players from his era could expect. Baseball salaries back then just weren’t anything like what we see now. Some folks put his net worth at around $8 million, but honestly, that sounds pretty inflated for someone who played in the 1950s.

He played in the MLB for six years, from 1952 to 1958. By today’s standards, those earnings look modest. Players in the 1950s usually made somewhere between $5,000 and $15,000 per season. Freeman probably landed closer to the higher end, especially during his best years with Cincinnati.

After he hung up his glove, Freeman took on different jobs to keep things going. He ran a miniature golf course and a driving range in Gadsden, Alabama.

Later, he switched things up and worked as a furniture salesman. He also found jobs in education and juvenile services.

He served as assistant director of Orange County Juvenile and Parental Homes. At one point, he supervised the custodial staff at Colonial High School.

These jobs gave him a steady paycheck until he retired at 65.