Fritz Dorish – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Fritz Dorish finished up his major league career in 1956, wrapping up a decade in professional baseball from 1947 to 1956. The right-handed pitcher grew up in Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, and played for four teams: the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox, and Baltimore Orioles.

His journey through pro baseball mirrors the stories of so many players from that era—guys who grinded their way up from the minors and built solid careers in the big leagues.

Dorish stands out in baseball history as the last American League pitcher to steal home plate, pulling off this wild move on June 2, 1950, while playing for the St. Louis Browns. That double steal with Ray Coleman still stands as one of the quirkiest records around, and honestly, it’s hard not to smile reading about it.

Beyond that famous moment, Dorish put together a career record of 45 wins and 43 losses across 324 games. He mostly worked as a relief pitcher, back when bullpens were just starting to matter.

After he stopped pitching, Dorish didn’t step away from the game. He moved into coaching and scouting, stretching his baseball life well beyond his playing days. He worked as a pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves, and also scouted for several organizations.

Swoyersville, that little mining town, produced a handful of major leaguers, but Dorish’s decade in the game and unique achievements make his story especially interesting for fans who love baseball’s backstories.

Early Life and Background

Harry “Fritz” Dorish was born July 13, 1921, in Swoyersville, Pennsylvania. His family came from Austrian and Czechoslovakian roots.

Those early years played out in a tight-knit community near Wilkes-Barre, where family life really encouraged athletic talent.

Family and Hometown Roots

Fritz grew up in a working-class family, with deep ties to the coal mines. His dad, Hritz Dorish, worked down in the Harry E. Colliery, and his mom Anna was of Czechoslovakian descent.

There were five kids in the family. Fritz was the fourth, after John, Anna, and William, and before his younger sister Mary. His baptismal name was Gregory, but he went by Harry and eventually picked up the nickname “Fritz.”

Swoyersville only had about 5,000 people. Even so, the town produced five major league baseball players. The whole place was built around the coal industry, drawing in lots of Central European immigrants back in the late 1800s.

The family faced a tough loss in the early 1940s when Hritz died of a heart attack. William, Fritz’s older brother, had to step up and help support everyone. The loss happened before Fritz made the majors, so his dad never got to see his success.

Education and High School Baseball

Fritz went to Swoyersville High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He graduated in 1941 and quickly landed on the radar of pro scouts.

His high school baseball days were pretty legendary. He threw two no-hitters in a row, which made him a local hero. In one game against Plains, he struck out 16 batters. In another against Jenkins Township, he struck out 18.

Red Sox scout Joe Reardon watched him pitch and was so impressed that he signed Dorish right after graduation. That quick signing says a lot about how much potential scouts saw in him.

Early Influences and Local Baseball Scene

Fritz’s oldest brother, John, played semipro baseball and covered almost every position except catcher. That family connection probably nudged Fritz toward the game.

The local baseball scene in coal country was surprisingly strong. A lot of young guys saw sports as a way out of the mines. The community rallied around local athletes and cheered their success.

People described Fritz as quiet and “retiring rather than aggressive.” That trait stuck with him throughout his career. Reporters and teammates often called him “reticent,” since he preferred to let his pitching do the talking.

The nickname “Fritz” stuck with him during his career, though nobody seems totally sure where it came from, considering the family’s mix of Slavic backgrounds.

Rise to Professional Baseball

Fritz Dorish’s path from his small Pennsylvania town to the majors started right after high school. He put up strong numbers in the minors, served in the Army during World War II, and eventually signed with the Boston Red Sox.

Minor League Journeys

Red Sox scout Joe Reardon signed Dorish straight out of high school in 1941, after those back-to-back no-hitters where he struck out 16 and 18 batters. Dorish started with Class C Canton in the Middle Atlantic League. He pitched in 21 games, went 7-6, and posted a 3.23 ERA. He also got some playoff experience against Akron.

His second season was a big step up. With the Scranton Miners in 1942, “Schoolboy Fritz” went 12-8 and had a 2.07 ERA—pretty impressive control for a young pitcher.

The Sporting News gave him a shoutout for “perfect control” after his 2-0 shutout over Williamsport in July 1942. By January 1943, the Boston Red Sox organization bumped him up to Double-A Louisville Colonels.

Signing with the Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox saw Dorish’s potential early. His strong showing with Scranton in 1942 earned him a spot with Louisville for 1943. But then, World War II interrupted everything.

After the war, Dorish came back to Louisville in 1946. He went 11-4 with a 3.14 ERA, helping them win the American Association pennant. He pitched well in the playoffs too, winning big games and even helping out with the bat.

By October 1946, the Boston Red Sox added Dorish to their major league roster. The team had just missed a World Series win and saw him as a promising pitching prospect, alongside Mel Parnell and Tommy Fine.

Impact of World War II on Career

World War II definitely threw a wrench into Dorish’s baseball development. He volunteered for the Army in 1943 and worked as a cook at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, which housed the famous Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team and other units.

Dorish moved up the ranks and eventually joined a Medical Corps unit in the South Pacific. Even during his military service, he kept playing baseball whenever he could. A 1944 news report mentioned that Sergeant Dorish had a 20-3 record while stationed on an unnamed Pacific island.

He served until January 1946 and got out just in time for spring training. The three-year gap came during his prime development years, but his 1946 return to Louisville showed he hadn’t lost his touch.

Major League Career Overview

Fritz Dorish spent ten seasons pitching in Major League Baseball, finishing with a 45-43 record and a 3.83 ERA while playing for four teams. He became one of the first modern relief specialists and still holds the title of the last American League pitcher to steal home.

Key Teams and Seasons

Dorish debuted in the majors with the Boston Red Sox on April 15, 1947, picking up a win in his first appearance on Opening Day. He spent his first three seasons (1947-1949) with Boston, pitching in 41 games as a rookie and going 7-8.

In 1950, the Red Sox sold him to the St. Louis Browns. He had a tough year, finishing 4-9 with a 6.44 ERA, but that season included his historic steal of home on June 2, 1950.

The Chicago White Sox grabbed Dorish in the 1950 Rule V draft after hearing the Browns planned to let him go. He found his best form in Chicago from 1951-1955 under manager Paul Richards, who mainly used him in relief.

Dorish wrapped up his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1956. His last game was September 28, 1956, when he pitched a perfect inning and struck out three Yankees.

Notable Games and Achievements

Dorish’s most famous moment is still that steal of home plate on June 2, 1950, with Ray Coleman. He pulled it off during a complete game win over Washington, where he also drove in a run and hit one of his seven career doubles.

His MLB debut was a wild one. He came in with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth. Even though he let the tying runs score, Boston rallied in the bottom of the inning, and Dorish pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.

Manager Paul Richards made a memorable move on May 15, 1951. He put Dorish at third base temporarily, brought in lefty Billy Pierce to face Ted Williams, and then sent Dorish back to the mound to finish the game and get the win.

Dorish racked up 44 saves in his career, making him one of the early relief specialists. His totals: 45 wins, 43 losses, and a 3.83 ERA over ten seasons.

Playing Style and Position Versatility

Dorish threw a “heavy fast ball” that ran in on righties, plus a sharp curve, a tricky slider, and a nasty sinker. That sinker worked especially well at Fenway Park, where hitters always tried to lift balls over the left field wall.

At 5’11” and 197 pounds, Dorish was often described as “chunky” or “powerfully built.” He kept a quiet, steady presence on the mound, and people respected his calm approach.

Manager Paul Richards usually used Dorish in relief, saying, “hitters catch up with his stuff when they have several innings to look him over.” That led to Dorish becoming one of the first modern relief specialists.

Though he was mainly a pitcher, Dorish showed some versatility. Richards even put him at third base during that tactical move against Ted Williams. His background in football and basketball at Swoyersville High helped his field awareness and defense.

Memorable Moments and Records

Fritz Dorish pulled off a rare feat that still gets mentioned in baseball history books. His most famous moment happened in 1950, when he became the last American League pitcher to steal home plate. That record still stands.

Stealing Home Plate as a Pitcher

On June 2, 1950, Dorish made baseball history in a game between the St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators. He and Ray Coleman pulled off a double steal, with Dorish taking home.

Pitchers almost never try to steal bases, so this was a big deal. Dorish pulled it off during a complete game win over Washington, 9-3.

Historic Significance:

• Last American League pitcher to steal home
• Pulled off a double steal with Ray Coleman
• Did it during a complete game win

No American League pitcher has stolen home since Dorish in 1950. That record feels like it’ll stand for a long time.

Contributions in High-Stakes Matches

Dorish showed his value in big playoff games during his minor league days. His performance in the 1948 Southern Association playoffs stands out.

He pitched a 9-0 shutout in the deciding game against Nashville while playing for the Birmingham Barons. That win helped Birmingham upset the Nashville team in the Shaughnessy playoff.

The Barons moved on to play the Fort Worth Cats in the Dixie Series. Dorish lost the opener, but Birmingham took the series 4-1, with his playoff shutout turning the tide.

Historic Plays Against Renowned Opponents

Dorish went up against some of baseball’s biggest stars during his major league career. His matchups with Ted Williams really stood out when he played for different American League teams.

On May 15, 1951, White Sox manager Paul Richards tried something unusual. Richards brought in Billy Pierce just to face Williams, and he put Dorish at third base for a bit.

After Williams popped out, Dorish got back on the mound to handle the rest of the lineup. The White Sox ended up winning when Nellie Fox hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning, so Dorish picked up the win.

Back in his 1947 rookie season with Boston, Dorish made his debut on Opening Day against Washington. He came in with the bases loaded and two outs, got out of the jam, and earned his first major league win.

Transition to Coaching and Scouting

After he retired from playing in 1956, Fritz Dorish stuck with baseball for decades. He moved into coaching and scouting with several major league organizations like the Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Cincinnati Reds.

Boston Red Sox Coaching Role

The Boston Red Sox brought Dorish on as their pitching coach in 1963, about seven years after his playing career wrapped up. He’d built a solid relationship with the team during his years as a player from 1947-1949 and again in 1956.

As pitching coach, Dorish leaned on his experience from a decade on the mound. He’d worked with a bunch of teams and really understood what pitchers dealt with at the big league level.

He knew all about different pitching styles and techniques, which made him a real asset for the Red Sox staff. The team appreciated how he worked with both starters and relievers.

His own background as one of the early modern relief specialists gave him a unique perspective on the job.

Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds Involvement

Dorish took his coaching career further by joining the Atlanta Braves as their pitching coach from 1968 to 1971. That four-year stretch was actually his longest with any one team.

He worked with the Braves while they were getting settled in Atlanta after moving from Milwaukee. After his time with the Braves, Dorish joined the Cincinnati Reds organization.

He became a roving pitching coach for the Reds’ farm system, traveling and overseeing pitching instruction for their minor league affiliates. That job let him help young prospects and shape the next wave of pitchers.

Cincinnati turned out to be his last baseball job. He retired from that role in 1986, closing out a 45-year career in professional baseball.

Scouting Career and Legacy

Besides coaching, Dorish spent years working as a scout for different organizations. He scouted for the Boston Red Sox and kept up his long relationship with the team.

He also scouted for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians. His scouting work meant he evaluated both amateur and pro talent.

Dorish’s experience as a player and coach helped him spot pitchers’ potential and mechanical issues. He could pick out which prospects might make it at higher levels.

Retirement, Personal Life, and Legacy

Fritz Dorish finished his baseball career in 1956 after ten seasons in the majors. He headed back to Pennsylvania, stayed involved in the sport through coaching, and kept close ties to his hometown.

Life After Baseball

Dorish officially retired from pro baseball after the 1956 season. His career stats: 45 wins, 43 losses, and a 3.83 ERA over 324 games.

The Boston Red Sox saw his value even after he stopped playing. In 1963, they hired him as pitching coach, bringing him back to where his big league journey started.

His baseball life stretched 45 years if you count his coaching days. That’s a long run, and it shows just how much he loved the game and wanted to share what he knew.

After he finished coaching, Dorish settled in Kingston, Pennsylvania. He stayed close to his birthplace of Swoyersville and the Wilkes-Barre area where he grew up.

Community Ties and Recognition

Dorish kept strong connections to his Pennsylvania roots all his life. He lived in Kingston, not far from Swoyersville and the Wilkes-Barre region.

Swoyersville, his hometown, was proud to have produced five major leaguers even though it only had about 5,000 residents. Dorish joined Adam Comorosky, Dick Mulligan, Packy Rogers, and Steve Shemo as representatives of their small mining community.

The coal mining history of the area shaped Dorish’s character. His dad worked as a coal miner, and lots of families there came from Central Europe hoping for a better life in America’s industrial towns.

Dorish holds a quirky spot in baseball history as the last American League pitcher to steal home plate. He pulled off that feat on June 2, 1950, while playing for the St. Louis Browns.

Remembering Fritz Dorish

Harry “Fritz” Dorish passed away on December 31, 2000, at 79 years old in Wilkes-Barre. His death closed the chapter on a life deeply tied to baseball and his Pennsylvania roots.

His family buried him at St. Mary’s Annunciation Church Parish Cemetery in Pringle, Pennsylvania. That final resting place keeps him close to where he grew up.

He started out as “Schoolboy Fritz” in the minors. From there, he built a reputation as a steady pitcher for several teams.

Dorish left behind a solid statistical record as one of the early modern relief pitchers. His career, which lasted about a decade, spanned the shift from old-school baseball to the era of specialized relief roles.