Jerry Snyder – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jerry Snyder played seven seasons in Major League Baseball as a utility infielder, sticking with the Washington Senators from 1952 to 1958.

Born in Jenks, Oklahoma, this right-handed infielder made a respectable career during baseball’s golden era. He served as reliable depth at both shortstop and second base.

Snyder wrapped up his career in 1958 after 266 games, posting a .230 batting average, three home runs, and 47 RBIs during his seven years with Washington.

He started his journey in the New York Yankees organization. A big trade brought him to Washington, and he stayed there for the rest of his major league days.

Looking at Snyder’s baseball life, you see the story of a dedicated player who left his mark with consistent defense and timely contributions.

From early days in Oklahoma to international play in Venezuela, Snyder’s career shows how a pro athlete can make the most of his chances during the competitive 1950s.

Early Life and Background

Gerald George Snyder was born July 21, 1929, in Jenks, Oklahoma. He showed early promise in baseball before joining the New York Yankees organization in 1947.

His journey from a small Oklahoma town to pro baseball started with strong family support and high school sports.

Birthplace and Family

Jerry Snyder grew up in Jenks, Oklahoma, a small town where baseball ran deep in the community.

Born Gerald George Snyder, he experienced the Great Depression, when families found hope and fun in America’s pastime.

Jenks’s close-knit community gave Jerry plenty of chances to develop his athletic skills.

Locals supported youth baseball, so kids like Snyder could learn the basics of the game.

His family noticed his natural talent early.

They encouraged him to join local teams, and he quickly became a standout player among his friends.

Education and Youth Baseball

Snyder went to Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma, where he kept shining on the baseball field.

Those high school years helped him build the skills that would serve him in pro baseball.

At Capitol Hill, Jerry played several infield spots. His versatility and strong defensive skills caught the eye of pro scouts.

His high school performance showed he could handle tougher competition.

Scouts liked his batting and fielding, and he looked like a good fit for teams needing talented infielders.

Signing with the New York Yankees

In 1947, Jerry Snyder took a big step by joining the New York Yankees organization.

That signing kicked off his climb through the minor leagues.

Yankees scouts saw Snyder as a promising player worth developing.

For a kid from Oklahoma, signing with New York felt like a dream come true.

Snyder’s time with the Yankees system didn’t last long, though.

He got picked up by the Washington Senators, where he’d spend his entire major league career from 1952 to 1958.

Major League Career with the Washington Senators

Jerry Snyder spent all seven years of his Major League career with the Washington Senators, from 1952 to 1958.

He arrived in Washington through a trade from the Yankees and became a reliable infielder at both shortstop and second base.

MLB Debut and Trade to Washington

Snyder started his pro baseball journey in 1947 with the Yankees right after finishing at Capitol Hill High School.

He spent five seasons sharpening his game in the Yankees’ minor league system.

On May 3, 1952, the Yankees traded Snyder, Jackie Jensen, Spec Shea, and Archie Wilson to the Senators.

Washington sent Irv Noren and Tom Upton to New York in return.

Just five days later, on May 8, 1952, Snyder made his MLB debut at age 22.

He played against the Detroit Tigers, becoming the 10,929th player in major league history.

His rookie season brought the expected challenges of facing big league pitching.

In 36 games, he managed just 9 hits in 57 at-bats for a .158 average.

Role as Shortstop and Second Baseman

Snyder filled a valuable utility role for the Senators. He mostly played shortstop and second base, giving the team defensive flexibility in the middle infield.

Over seven seasons, he appeared in 266 games.

His defensive skills let him handle both positions well, though he saw more time at shortstop.

Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 170 pounds, the right-handed Snyder was more known for his glove than his bat.

He could turn double plays and had decent range for both middle infield spots.

Washington used Snyder as a backup infielder and spot starter.

He had to stay ready and contribute whenever needed, and he did that consistently.

Career Milestones and Highlights

Snyder’s best offensive year came in 1953, when he hit .339 in limited action.

He played 29 games that season, racking up 21 hits in 62 at-bats, including 4 doubles.

His busiest season was 1954, with 64 games and 174 plate appearances.

He batted .234 that year, collecting 36 hits and 17 RBIs.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 266
• Batting Average: .230
• Hits: 145
• Home Runs: 3
• RBIs: 47
• Stolen Bases: 7

Snyder hit his three home runs in the 1956 and 1957 seasons.

In 1956, he had his second-best offensive year, batting .270 in 43 games.

Retirement in 1958

Snyder’s last MLB season came in 1958, when he played just 6 games for the Senators.

He managed only 1 hit in 9 at-bats, ending with a .111 average in his final big league action.

At 28, he wrapped up his seven-year career with Washington, the team that had traded for him from the Yankees.

His last appearance marked the end of a steady, if modest, major league run.

After stepping away from pro baseball, Snyder left a reputation as a dependable utility infielder.

He gave the Senators steady defense and occasional offense throughout the 1950s.

Washington struggled in the American League during those years, but Snyder stayed a reliable part of their infield rotation.

Statistical Achievements and Performance

During his seven years with the Senators, Jerry Snyder posted a .230 batting average, 3 home runs, and 47 RBIs in 266 games.

His defensive versatility at shortstop and second base helped him turn 20 double plays from 1952 to 1958.

Batting Average and MLB Statistics

Snyder’s .230 career average shows the challenges he faced at the plate.

His best season came in 1953, when he hit .339 over 29 games. That stretch showed he had some potential as a hitter.

In 1956, he also did well, batting .270 in 43 games with 40 hits.

That year, his on-base percentage reached .321, a sign of better plate discipline.

Overall, Snyder collected 145 hits in 630 at-bats.

He drew 46 walks and struck out 59 times.

He made contact often, but getting on base consistently wasn’t easy for him.

Home Runs and RBI Contributions

Snyder didn’t hit for much power during his career.

He totaled 3 home runs, with 2 coming in 1956.

He finished with 47 RBIs, reflecting limited chances to drive in runs.

His top RBI year was 1954, when he drove in 17 runs during his most active season.

In 1956, he added 14 RBIs and 2 home runs.

Across his career, Snyder had 18 doubles and 2 triples, showing he could find the gaps now and then.

Defensive Records and Double Plays

Snyder brought value with his ability to play all over the infield.

He saw time at shortstop, second base, and third base.

His fielding percentage changed depending on the position and season.

In 1953 at shortstop, he posted a .988 fielding percentage over 17 games, beating the league average of .966 that year.

He took part in plenty of double plays across his career.

Snyder’s versatility let the Senators use him wherever they needed in the infield.

He played 211 of his 266 games at shortstop and second base.

Minor League and International Play

Jerry Snyder spent a lot of time in the minors, playing for teams across different leagues from 1947 to 1961.

He eventually took on a player-manager role with the Macon Peaches.

Minor League Teams and Progression

Snyder started his professional career in 1947 with the Yankees organization.

He improved steadily during those early minor league years.

In 1948, he hit .302 for the Quincy Gems of the Class B Three I League.

That season showed he could be a reliable hitter at the pro level.

By 1951, Snyder moved up to higher levels.

He played for the Beaumont Exporters in the Texas League and the Kansas City Blues in the American Association.

He batted .290 across both teams, proving he could compete at the upper minors.

Even after reaching the majors, Snyder kept playing in the minors.

In 1953, he hit .307 for the Chattanooga Lookouts.

Two years later, still with Chattanooga, he batted .344 in 54 games.

During his last MLB season in 1958, Snyder also played for the Miami Marlins of the International League and hit .312.

After leaving the majors, Snyder stuck around in pro baseball for three more seasons, from 1959 to 1961.

He played only with AA and AAA teams during that time.

His minor league career lasted twelve seasons, and he finished with a .289 average in 4,277 plate appearances.

Venezuelan League and Caribbean Series

There isn’t much information about Snyder’s time in the Venezuelan League or Caribbean Series.

Most records focus on his minor league and Major League career with American teams.

Player-Manager Role

In 1961, Snyder became a player-manager for the Macon Peaches in the Southern Association.

This dual role let him keep playing while learning about managing a team.

The Peaches had two managers that year, and Snyder was the second.

Under his leadership, the team finished with a 75-79 record.

They placed fifth in the league, 16 games behind the leaders.

Snyder played in 102 games for Macon that season, batting .309.

Even while managing, he kept his playing skills sharp.

That player-manager job marked the end of Snyder’s professional baseball days.

The 1961 season was his last in organized baseball, capping a fifteen-year career.

Post-Retirement and Legacy

After leaving baseball in 1958, Jerry Snyder moved into business and found success as an entrepreneur in Texas.

He passed away in 2022 at age 92, closing the chapter on a life remembered by those who followed his days with the Washington Senators.

Influence on Baseball Community

After he retired from professional baseball, Snyder jumped into a new career as a businessman in Houston, Texas. He bought Texas Plumbing Supply Company and managed to shift from the baseball diamond to the business world.

Snyder made an impact on the baseball community that went far beyond his stats. He spent seven years with the Washington Senators from 1952 to 1958, showing the kind of dedication and grit you’d expect from players back then.

His .230 career batting average might not look impressive, but Snyder never really left the world of baseball. The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association acknowledged him, keeping those old connections alive.

He started as a high school player in Oklahoma and made it all the way to the majors as an infielder. That journey inspired plenty of young athletes.

Snyder’s story proves that if you stick with it and work hard, you can find success both on the field and in business.

Obituary and Memorials

Jerry Snyder died on January 31, 2022, in Houston, Texas. He was 92.

His passing took away another player from baseball’s earlier days, a time when the sport was really starting to change.

Find a Grave Memorial keeps his story alive for future baseball fans. They noted his seven seasons as a second baseman and shortstop with the Washington Senators.

His obituary talked about both his baseball career and what he achieved in business after hanging up his cleats. Snyder managed to stand out in both worlds, which isn’t something you see every day.

The baseball community remembered him as a player who stood for the values of his time. Several organizations that follow former major leaguers marked his passing.

Personal Life and Recognition

After his baseball days, Jerry Snyder built a strong family foundation. He stayed married to his high school sweetheart for over 70 years.

People respected him in both Houston and Oklahoma, not just for baseball but for his work in business too.

Family and Personal Details

Gerald George Snyder married Helen West on December 18, 1948, in Gainesville, Texas. They’d known each other since their high school days in Oklahoma City.

They stuck together for over 73 years, right up until Jerry died in 2022. Helen was there with him through the highs and lows.

Jerry was a devoted father to four kids: Deborah, Lance, Kimberly, and Angela. Over time, his family grew to include nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

After he retired from baseball, Jerry moved to Houston, Texas. He spent his later years surrounded by his big, close-knit family.

He often gave his kids advice about keeping God in their lives and staying close to family. Jerry really believed that family should stick together and help each other out during tough times.

Honors and Remembrances

Jerry Snyder passed away on January 31, 2022, at age 92 in Houston, Texas. He spent his final moments at home, surrounded by loved ones, after a tough battle with cancer.

His family called him an inspiration. They saw him as someone who showed real grace and strong character, not just in sports but in every part of his life.

Jerry built a legacy that reached far beyond his seven years in Major League Baseball. He ran Texas Plumbing Supply with a knack for business that honestly impressed a lot of people.

Family members often said he loved to eat, play golf, and joke around. You could just tell he really enjoyed the simple things in life.

His obituary pointed out his unconditional love for family and friends. That quality, more than anything else, seemed to define who he was.