Owen Friend – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Owen Friend wrapped up his baseball career in 1956, slipping out of the spotlight, but his time in Major League Baseball still tells the story of a gritty, determined player who managed to stick around the big leagues through the 1950s. He played for five different teams between 1949 and 1956, carving out a role as a reliable second baseman—even though he bounced from team to team more than most.

People called him “Red” back then. He grew up in Illinois and stood out as a 6’1″ infielder who could handle several positions. His career carried him from the St. Louis Browns to the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, and finally the Chicago Cubs. Sure, his batting average was just .227—not exactly eye-popping—but Friend’s flexibility and steady work ethic kept him in the majors for seven seasons.

There’s more to Friend than just numbers. His story stretches back to his early days in Granite City, his time in the military, and the impact he made on baseball after his playing days. He managed in the minor leagues, scouted for several organizations, and even helped launch the Kansas City Royals as part of their original coaching staff in 1969.

Early Life and Background

Owen Lacey Friend Jr. was born March 21, 1927, in Granite City, Illinois. He grew up in a working-class family that really valued education and hard work.

His early years were shaped by the industrial buzz of the St. Louis area. He found a love for baseball even though he didn’t have a ton of formal chances to play.

Family and Upbringing

Owen’s parents, Owen Friend Sr. and Edna Mae (Wingerter) Friend, worked hard to give their three kids a stable home. His dad was from Illinois, his mom from Missouri.

They lived in Nameoki, right on the shores of Horseshoe Lake. Owen Sr. held different jobs to keep things afloat, including work at American Car and Foundry and helping out as a pipefitter in a gas and coke plant.

By 1940, his dad worked as a water tender at the local gas, light, and power company. He even ran a tavern for a bit in the early ’40s before returning to American Car and Foundry.

Owen Jr. was the oldest, with his sister Margaret and brother Forest following. In 1949, his parents opened a restaurant in Nameoki—just another example of their entrepreneurial streak.

Granite City Roots

He went to Webster School and Granite City High School. The town, sitting just across the river from St. Louis, gave him a blue-collar backdrop for growing up.

World War II hit during his high school years and really changed things locally. The school didn’t even field a baseball team during the war, so his formal baseball options were slim.

Still, Owen didn’t let that stop him. “That didn’t stop me from getting in all the sandlot games I could,” he once said about his high school days.

If baseball hadn’t worked out, Owen planned to become an electrician. That backup plan fit right in with his family’s focus on steady, reliable jobs.

First Steps in Baseball

Owen’s baseball journey really got rolling in local sandlot games and Pony League action. Browns scout Fred Hofmann noticed his talent during these amateur games.

At just 15, Hofmann invited Owen to a tryout at Sportsman’s Park. He showed up in his Granite City Steelers uniform, representing his hometown.

The Browns wanted to sign him even earlier, but his dad said he needed to finish school first. That decision showed how much the family valued education.

Owen finally signed with the Browns at 16 in 1943. He spent a couple years playing amateur ball, then three years in semipro leagues before turning pro.

He stood 6-foot-1, weighed 180 pounds, and threw right-handed. Those physical tools, plus his natural ability, made him an interesting prospect for professional baseball.

Major League Baseball Career

Owen Friend bounced around five different teams during his MLB career from 1949 to 1956. His best stretch came in 1950 with the St. Louis Browns, when he put up his top numbers in games played and offense.

St. Louis Browns Years

Friend made his MLB debut on October 2, 1949, with the St. Louis Browns. He spent two seasons with them, covering 1949 and 1950.

In 1950, he really got his shot. Friend played 119 games that year and set personal bests in several categories.

1950 Season Highlights:

• 8 home runs
• 50 RBI
• 48 runs scored
• .237 batting average

The Browns gave him his first real chance to play regularly. He mostly played second base and started building a reputation as a line drive hitter.

Those early years with the Browns set the stage for his MLB career. The experience he picked up in St. Louis opened doors with other teams later on.

Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians Seasons

Friend didn’t play in the majors in 1951 and 1952. He came back in 1953, splitting the season between two American League teams.

That year, he played 68 games total, dividing his time pretty evenly between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians.

Returning after two years away, he showed he could still hang in the big leagues. Playing for both teams highlighted his flexibility.

He covered multiple infield spots during this time. His ability to play second, third, and shortstop made him useful to both organizations.

The 1953 season proved Friend still belonged in the majors. His performance kept him in the game for a few more years.

Boston Red Sox Contributions

Friend left the majors again in 1954. He came back in 1955 to join the Boston Red Sox.

His time in Boston was short but mattered. Friend appeared in games during the 1955 season as part of his push to return.

The Red Sox gave him another shot in the majors. His experience and versatility made him a handy addition to their lineup.

That year, he split time between Boston and the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago Cubs Final Years

Friend joined the Chicago Cubs in 1955 and stayed through 1956. His last MLB game came on May 16, 1956, as a Cub.

The Cubs gave him his final shot in the big leagues. In 1955, he played 20 games combined for the Red Sox and Cubs.

By 1956, Friend appeared in just two games for the Cubs. That short stint marked the end of his major league playing days.

Career Statistics:

• .227 batting average
• 13 home runs
• 76 RBI
• 208 total games

Later, Friend wore uniform number 5 as a coach for the Kansas City Royals. George Brett would eventually wear and retire that same number.

Playing Style and Positions

Owen Friend mostly played second base. He struggled with hitting but made up for it by handling several infield positions. His .227 career batting average showed his limitations at the plate, but he chipped in during late-game roles now and then.

Offensive Skills

Friend’s numbers at the plate tell you he had a tough time hitting during his five-year career. That .227 average was well below the league norm for his era. He hit 13 home runs and drove in 76 runs over 208 games.

His best offensive stretch came in 1949 with St. Louis. He hit .375 in just two games, but that wasn’t really a big enough sample to mean much. In 1950, his typical numbers showed up: .237 average, 8 home runs, and 50 RBI in 119 games.

Friend’s plate discipline went up and down. He drew 55 walks in his career but also struck out 109 times. His .295 on-base percentage showed it was tough for him to get on base regularly.

He didn’t show much power, with just 24 doubles and 2 triples to go with his 13 homers. His slugging percentage of .339 backed that up.

Fielding and Defensive Versatility

Friend brought most of his value on defense, especially at second base. He played all over the infield, and that flexibility helped him stick in the majors even when his bat wasn’t working.

In his 1949 debut, he played second base for St. Louis and fielded 1.000 in limited chances. Sure, it was a small sample, but it showed he had solid defensive fundamentals.

In 1950, his defensive stats showed both good and bad. He made 14 errors in 119 games but also turned double plays well. His range factor shifted depending on where and when he played.

At 6’1″ and throwing right-handed, he had decent reach at second. His instincts and positioning made up for what some would call an average arm.

Role as Pinch Hitter and Pinch Runner

Later in his career, Friend took on more bench roles. His speed and defense made him a handy option as a late-game substitute, especially for pinch-running (PR).

In 1953 with Detroit and Cleveland, you could see this shift. He played 65 games but started less than half, often coming in as a defensive sub or pinch-hitter (PH).

Because he could play several positions, managers liked using him for double-switches and late-inning defensive swaps. He slotted in at second or shortstop (SS) depending on what the team needed.

Friend’s lack of offense actually fit certain pinch-hitting situations. Sometimes his patience at the plate paid off in big moments, but that .227 average kept those chances limited.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Owen Friend put together a modest but respectable run during his eight seasons in the majors, finishing with a .227 average, 13 home runs, and 76 RBIs over 208 games. His best year came in 1950 with the St. Louis Browns, where he hit several personal milestones.

Batting Record Overview

Friend’s stats reflect the grind of a utility infielder in the 1950s. From 1949 to 1956, he collected 136 hits in 598 at-bats.

His .227 batting average put him below the league mark for his time. Friend reached base at a .295 clip, showing some plate discipline with 55 career walks.

Power wasn’t his game. Friend hit 13 home runs and drove in 76 RBIs over 208 games. His .339 slugging percentage pointed to gap power more than home run pop.

His top offensive year was 1950, when he hit .237. By his last season in 1956, he went hitless in two at-bats with the Cubs.

Notable 1950 Season Highlights

That breakout year with the Browns brought several career highs. He played 119 games, his peak as a starter.

He hit 8 home runs that year, more than half his career total, and drove in 50 RBIs while scoring 48 runs.

That season was his only real shot as an everyday player. Friend started 119 games at second, racking up 427 plate appearances.

Even with more playing time, his .237 average was still below the league’s. But his 68 strikeouts against 40 walks showed a bit more plate discipline than in his brief 1949 debut.

Comparison Among Peers

Friend’s numbers put him in the lower tier for major league second basemen in the early ’50s. His .227 career average didn’t come close to stars like Jackie Robinson or Nellie Fox.

Still, Friend’s flexibility brought value that stats don’t always show. He played several infield spots for five different teams, proving he could adapt and fill gaps.

His career WAR of -2.7 points to below-replacement level performance. That number covers both his struggles at the plate and his defensive limits in the majors.

Teams kept bringing him in, though. His professionalism and ability to fill a roster spot in an era of smaller benches made him a useful guy to have around.

Military Service and Its Impact

The Korean War interrupted Owen Friend’s promising baseball career. He served two full seasons in the Army Medical Corps from 1951 to 1952.

Even though he missed some key development years, Friend kept playing baseball during his service. He eventually returned to the pros, though missing that time probably changed where his career could’ve gone.

Army Draft and Service

Friend got his military draft notice during the Korean War and reported to Fort Sam Houston in mid-December 1950. The timing couldn’t have been worse for the young second baseman, since he’d just wrapped up his breakthrough 1950 season with the St. Louis Browns.

The Army put Friend in the Medical Corps. That period saw a major mobilization, shaking up Major League Baseball in a big way. By March 1951, the military had already called up about 44 major league players.

The Browns lost outfielder Dick Kokos the same day Friend got inducted. Losing both players hit the team hard and really showed how military service was turning pro baseball upside down during the Korean conflict.

Baseball During Military Years

Friend kept playing baseball while in the Army, suiting up for the Brooke Army Medical Center team. His biggest moment came in the 1951 semipro Texas championship, where he blasted a dramatic 12th-inning home run to help his team edge out the Sinton Oilers 7-6 in the opening game.

The Brooke Army team made it to the national finals in Wichita, Kansas. Friend came back for the 1952 national championships, this time as a utility infielder.

That first trip to Wichita in 1951 ended up changing more than just his baseball career. Friend met Maxine Scheffer, a local farm girl from Newton, Kansas, who was handing out trophies at the tournament. They got married on January 6, 1952, while Friend was still serving in the Army.

Return to Major League Baseball

Friend’s return to pro baseball got complicated thanks to a trade while he was still in the Army. On December 4, 1952, just days before his discharge, the St. Louis Browns traded him to the Detroit Tigers in a six-player deal.

The trade sent Friend, Bob Nieman, and Jay Porter to Detroit for Johnny Groth, Virgil Trucks, and Hal White. A lot of people saw Friend as a “throw-in” in a deal that mostly focused on bigger names.

Tigers manager Fred Hutchinson sounded pretty hopeful about Friend, saying he “may settle our second-base problem.” Friend flashed some promise in spring training, hitting a few home runs and impressing folks with his fielding, especially his knack for turning double plays.

But Friend couldn’t quite get back to his pre-military form. He started the 1953 season on a high note but slumped quickly, hitting just .157 through April and then getting traded to Cleveland in June.

Life After MLB and Retirement

Owen Friend spent three decades working in professional baseball organizations and taking on leadership roles in the Kansas baseball community. He became a fixture in the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame and decided to make Wichita his home after his playing days.

Minor League Managing and Coaching

Friend switched gears from player to baseball instructor after he retired in 1956. He kicked off his coaching career in 1960, working with multiple major league organizations over the next sixteen years.

He moved through six different organizations during his coaching years. Friend worked in the Cardinals, Astros, Senators, Orioles, Royals, and Mets systems in all sorts of roles.

His coaching career really peaked in 1969. He joined the very first coaching staff for the brand-new Kansas City Royals. Friend wore uniform number 5, which later became iconic when George Brett took it on.

Friend’s spot with the Royals meant a lot. Getting picked for an expansion team’s original coaching staff showed just how respected he was in baseball circles.

He wrapped up his career in pro baseball in 1976. Friend’s years as a coach and manager actually outlasted his time as a player—sixteen years compared to eight.

Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame

Friend threw himself into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame after settling in Wichita. His commitment to Kansas baseball ran far deeper than just his playing career.

In 1978, Friend took on the role of president of the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame. He held that job for almost thirty years, staying on until 2007.

The Hall inducted Friend in 1987. That honor recognized both his major league days and his work for Kansas baseball.

Friend’s leadership helped shape the Hall of Fame into a major institution. His long tenure brought stability and kept the organization moving forward.

Community Involvement

Friend put down roots in Wichita after the 1951 NBC World Series. He first came to the city while serving in the U.S. Army, when his military team loaned him to the Sentin Plymouth Oilers.

The Oilers ended up winning the NBC World Series that year. That victory tied Friend to the Wichita community, where he’d stay for more than fifty years.

Friend’s community work focused on baseball development. Through the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame, he helped preserve and promote the sport’s history in the region.

His dedication to Kansas baseball earned him genuine respect. Friend became a well-known figure in local baseball circles thanks to decades of service.

Personal Life and Legacy

Friend lived in Wichita from 1951 until he died in 2007. He made Kansas his home for more than half his life and passed away at 80.

People called him “Red” because of how he looked back in his playing days. Friend stood 6’1″ and weighed 180 pounds during his major league career.

But Friend’s story isn’t just about a .227 batting average. After his playing days, he jumped into coaching and led the Hall of Fame, leaving a mark that honestly feels bigger than his stats.

The Society for American Baseball Research shares biographical info about Friend. They really highlight his place in baseball history, which goes way beyond just numbers.